When developing your employee handbook there are several different topics to cover including accepted behavior, company norms, performance of duties, use of company equipment, and more. One area of accepted behavior that is not be overlooked is the security policy. Your company’s security policy not only assures proper access but is also a matter of safety as well. The following security policy template is a general overview of what to include in your employee handbook.
Control Access
Control AccessOne of the most important parts of any security policy template is access control. In many businesses, schools, and government spaces access has to be carefully controlled. To make sure everyone who can gain access requires checks and balances. Naturally an in-house security team can help keep things ordered however, they can’t be expected to question everyone on site as this is both time consuming and unrealistic. The best method of access control is an ID card or security card system.
Security ID systems can take several forms from the highly simplistic to the highly complex. The simplest systems are temporary passes and signing in when you arrive. More complex systems can involve picture IDs for employees and pass cards restricting access via locked doors to various parts of the business. No matter what system you make use of your security policy template should cover in detail what the system is, how it functions, and what is expected from each employee.
Keep Detailed Records
Aside from controlling access, part of a proper security system is good record keeping. By keeping track of who is visiting or at the location at any given time you greatly increase safety. Much like your badge system, record keeping can range from the simple to the complex. The most basic way of keeping visitor records is a sign in book. A visitor arrives, signs in, and receives a temporary pass. These kinds of simple systems are good for businesses or locations that receive a lot of daily visits. However, for more complex industries a more advanced system may be required. Computer software systems can easily keep highly detailed records complete with a vast amount of visitor information. This allows careful screening of visitors which increases overall safety. When combined with a strong and well understood ID system this allows you to greatly control access to your property.
Responding To Emergencies
When things do go wrong having a well-defined and understood chain of command is essential. Employees should know exactly who to contact if things go wrong. Examples may include break and enters, theft, unauthorized access, evacuation, or in some cases non crime related events such as the need for medical attention. Emotions often run high during these events so knowing whom to contact and when allows a faster response when these events do occur. A key element of safety is being able to respond quickly when it is required and your security policy template should have a detailed course of action outlined when emergencies occur.
As is apparent there are several steps in developing a security policy template. No matter how complex or simplistic you system may be remember the following rules to assist in implementing security policies. Keep them current, welcome feedback to improve the system, make sure the system is understood, and make sure your security policy is a part of employee training so there are no questions about policy. For more information on company security policies and how to implement them, contact us at Avon Security!