Technology has dramatically improved the lifestyles of all, from enabling us to stay in constant contact with our nearest and dearest to providing endless entertainment, there’s no aspect it hasn’t touched in some way. It stands to reason, then, that when you are beginning a business, or even if you have been established for some time, technology can improve your business efficiently and overall profit. One way it can do so is by minimizing as many risks which your company may face as possible. How does it do this, however? Below are three ways:
Cyber Security
It is very rare in the 21st century that a business doesn’t have an online presence, or at least performs certain tasks via the internet. After all, it’s the internet which provides businesses with a wider target audience than they could find previously, and it enables employees’ to access vital documents wherever they are. However, with the increasing use of the online world within our daily working lives, comes the increased risk of cyber threats. These threats include hackers disabling essential areas of a website or cloud management system, to cyber thieves stealing confidential information and holding it ransom, often for a large sum of money. While it sounds like technology is the enemy here, it can, in fact, provide many solutions to counteract the risk. Firewalls, for example, are essential to install on every device used for work, as they will stop threats in their path. Furthermore, anti-virus software will ensure devices are protected from the latest viruses and malware, especially as these are constantly changing and evolving as a way to infect computer systems. It is key to note that anti-virus software especially needs regular updates to ensure it’s working at an optimal level.
Reduce Human Error
Unfortunately, human error is unavoidable. After all, no one is perfect 100% of the time, and sometimes a mistake is made, no matter how large or small. An employee may accidentally delete an important file, or perhaps they make a mistake in copying over information from documents. While it is hard to eliminate every human error, there are steps and software to apply to reduce the risk. For example, for a business which produces a high number of important documents, utilizing a document comparison tool will reduce the risk of errors being overlooked, and potentially copied into further correspondences. Additionally, by ensuring you backup all data frequently, whether you do so manually or it’s automatic, you will reduce the risk of losing vital data, which can be the difference between success and failure.
Protect Assets
Any business will have valuable assets they need protecting, and while many of these are online, there will be physical items. These items include any company computers, any company filing cabinets (even if a business is paperless, there are still certain documents which you need a physical copy of), and any personal items left in the office overnight by employees’. Whether your office stores a large number of computers or it’s only yours, it all needs protecting the same. Technology can help you do so, even if the solutions sound old-fashioned in today’s modern world. One such solution is installing security cameras around the premises, including the boundaries of your office and areas you may not think about, such as any hidden corridors or staircases. Not only will the sight of a camera pointing at a potential threat make them think twice, but it will also give you peace of mind, and it can help any insurance claims should something terrible happen. However, there are 21st-century options available, such as security cameras which are connected to your office’s WiFi network, which can then be viewed via an app on your smartphone or tablet device. It means that, wherever you are, be it at home or abroad, you can check in with your office and see that everything is as it should be.
Another important asset you need to protect is your employees. They are the vital cogs in the machine of your company, and they need protecting as much as the computers! You can do so by providing simple solutions such as fire alarms, which will reduce the risk of any fire damaging not only your office but make sure your employees leave the building in time. In more extreme cases, and especially if you own a retail or hospitality premise, you can reduce the risk of an employee getting hurt and seriously injured by installing panic alarms. These handy alarms can be placed discreetly under a service desk or cash register, which, should an employee feel threatened, can press to alert yourself and the appropriate response teams, whether it’s the police, fire, or medical services.
Technology has changed the way people conduct every part of their lives, but it’s especially changed the world of business. While there are risk and threats every business will face, there are technology solutions which can help reduce these and help keep both your company and your employees safe and happy.
