Your place of work is your livelihood. The physical structure that your business runs out of contains important documents, information, and business assets that must be protected. That being said, finding the perfect level of security for your organization can be difficult, and having too much or too little can have dire consequences.

Security in a business goes far beyond simply placing crucial documents in a locked drawer or safe. Our world today runs on things like the Internet, the cloud, and other intangible data storage programs. When thinking about protecting your organization, it is important to consider tech security alongside physical security. This includes things such as:

Firewall: Installing a powerful and high quality firewall is the first step to securing your business’ online assets. Firewalls prevent viruses by scanning anything coming into the business network and deeming it safe or unsafe.

Email: Viruses can also enter into an organization’s network through things such as email attachments, fake addresses, and other types of email-based scams. A good way to prevent this is to educate staff and employees about the importance of keeping sensitive information confidential, especially if email is a commonly used form of communication for your business.

Wireless Network: Securing your organization’s wireless network with a Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) or a Wireless Encryption Protocol (WEP) and turning off wireless networks during periods of inactivity (such as holidays or weekends) can help protect your company’s digital assets.

In addition to the protection of data and networks, securing your business’ premises and physical assets is of utmost importance. This is when you need to decide which level of physical security is best for your business:

Traditional Lock and Key: This measure of security is best for small businesses, especially in the case that you, as the business owner, either take the most valuable assets home with you at the end of the day or lock them in a safe. However, traditional lock and key systems require proper maintenance, such as lock rekeying, in addition to key management.

Visit these pages to find out more about Pop-A-Lock’s lock installation and lock rekeying services.

High Security Locks: This includes things like key control systems or electronic access control systems, and is typically used in medium to large sized businesses with fairly valuable assets. These allow for higher levels of security since there is little to no possibility of someone outside of your organization getting a hold of a key fob or door code.

Visit these pages to learn more about Pop-A-Lock’s key control and electronic access control services.

Biometric Security: Biometric security is the most advanced option, and is recommended for large businesses, often with extremely valuable assets, equipment, or documents. These systems limit accessibility to certain areas and base identification on biological traits (such as iris scans, fingerprint scans, and voice recognition). 

To learn more about Pop-A-Lock’s biometric security services, visit our biometric security service page.

Security Cameras: No matter the types of locks or key control systems you decide to install on the premises, it is important to invest in security camera systems that provide adequate coverage of the business location. Security camera systems can help give you an idea of the activity around the area your business is located in as well as provide insight into what other security measures can be taken to further protect your business.

Your local Pop-A-Lock is here to assist you with any questions you may have with regards to the security of your organization, as well as installation and security audits. Contact your local Pop-A-Lock today and schedule an appointment with one of our expert locksmiths!

Commercial or business lockouts can create a wide variety of problems for your business, clients, customers, and employees. When you are locked out of business, the disruption can result in a loss of income as well as a loss of confidence from your clients and customers.

Depending on the nature of your business or commercial endeavor and the location of your business, lockouts that impact the ability of you and your employees to do their jobs can occur across many different areas. Some of the different business and commercial lockout situations that can arise include: 

• Lockout to the entry points of your business. This can include traditional keyed locks on doors or programmed keypads that may be part of an overall security system for your business.
• Keyless entry points or security systems that have been compromised or are experiencing errors or failures in the system
• Gated entry points that are non-functioning and will not open to allow entry of commercial or business vehicles.
• Elevator access by key or keypad.
• Locked file cabinets or archives.
• Mailboxes or storage lockers for employees.

What is important to mention is that you should not force the door or the lock as you might cause more harm than good and your business budget will be the one to take the blow. If you allow someone experienced to do it, there will be no damage done. So, if none of these options seemed to work, it’s time to go a step further.

A lockout can also happen in the blink of an eye if we slip up and, for instance, leave our keys inside the office when stepping out for a second. In case the lockout happened during working hours, there is a chance that someone is inside the office if you’re sharing it. Try to come in contact with that person by knocking or by calling your colleague if you have your cell phone on you. While it is an unpleasant situation, if you can avoid getting outside help, it’s worth a try.

Another course of action that should be on your mind in this situation is an alternative entry point. Now, you don’t have to think immediately of windows, as climbing in a window would probably look less than professional. Instead, think of back doors and other such entry points. During working hours, there is a chance that one of them might have been left open.

And, finally, once you’ve exhausted all immediate options, consider calling a 24/7 locksmith with commercial services. They should be able to open whichever entryways are causing the lockout, in addition to later performing any new lock installation or e=rekeying services.

If — heaven forbid — the time comes that you’re locked out of your business, we hope you’ll choose PAL as your smithy. In addition to offering 24/7 commercial lockout services, repair & installation and security auditing services. Check out our site to see if we’re right for your business! https://www.popalock.com/commercial-services/

Owning a business is a huge accomplishment and source of pride. Your important documents, delivery orders, and payslips deserve to be treated with the same level of dignity. To protect your company’s mail from damage or criminal activity, consider investing in a secure business mailbox — an important step in propelling your company’s success.

Both store business-related mail securely, but the technical differences between PO boxes and business mailboxes — and what both convey to customers and clients —are of utmost importance to your business. 

Simply put, PO boxes are locked storage containers for your mail, located at your local post office. Though they can store all business-related mail and packages, PO boxes are not owned by the business itself. Business mailboxes, on the other hand, are operated by private companies, and have the prestige of a physical street address, usually located in a city’s business core. These mailboxes still receive mail from traditional mail services but they’re operations are under the sole control of the private business. 

In even scanning the definitions of these two types of mailboxes, it’s apparent that business mailboxes lend a company an  air of professionalism, while PO boxes seem trite in comparison. These impressions might be superficial — a thriving company can certainly use a PO box for all mail — but appearances matter when trying to grow your business base. When choosing between a PO box or business mailbox, business leaders need to closely consider the differences between the two:

• Professionalism: When reviewing a company’s contact information, both clients and customers are likely to hesitate at the mention of a PO box, wondering “is this company legit?” PO boxes aren’t permanent fixtures directly tied to a company, which could signal to customers that your business is either struggling or poorly-run. This could be far from the truth, but no business can escape this impression. The same goes for home addresses. Customers are often wary of addresses ending in “Lane,” “Courtyard,” and “Place,” since these streets are almost always associated with residential areas. To many, running a business from a home doesn’t seem as real. A business mailbox, however, has its own street addresses and is controlled by your company directly, serving as a testament to the business’ success. Even if your company is virtual or spread-out, having a private, physical mailbox can help you maintain a local presence. 

• Security: Business mailboxes hold all mail, packages, and products in a lock secured unit until the company retrieves it. Here, mail is kept safe from the elements and potential meddling. Only authorized account holders can remove mail from business mailboxes. This is far more secure than home mailboxes, where nearly anyone can access your mail, or even the post office, where mail is more likely to go missing or over-stuff your PO box. 

• Privacy: When operating a business from a home address, privacy is a huge concern. For once, since your information is public, anyone could show up at your residence or tamper with your mail. Both business mailboxes and PO boxes help preserve your privacy, though only business mailboxes can offer companies the best in protection. Due to its direct address, the mail destined for business mailboxes is kept separate from other correspondence, preventing the mix-ups common at most post offices.

• Cost and Convenience: Although business mailboxes are more expensive than PO boxes up-front, they’re significantly more convenient. Most mailbox service facilities offer 24/7 access, meaning that account holders can pick up the mail whenever necessary. Even if you travel frequently, mailbox services can sign for special deliveries and notify you when mail arrives. This is a big step up from having to worry about being home to sign for packages, or rushing to the post office and waiting ages to pick up your mail.

As with any business decision, choosing between a PO box and business mailbox depends entirely on your company’s needs. If your business is growing and needs to remain competitive, a business mailbox with it’s very own address is probably  what you need to seem successful while allowing you to meet your customer’s demands. On the other hand, if your company is a start-up or a virtual business without a central office location, a PO box might be your best bet, keeping your mail secure until your business gains its footing.  

Whether you need a keypad lock or turn-key lock installation, Pop-A-Lock technicians are the smithees for the job. Give us a ring today to discuss your needs and get a free quote. We promise to provide state-of-the-art locks and installation services suited to your business needs. 

Everyone has a right to feel safe and secure at their workplace, regardless of position. Nonetheless, it might feel intimidating to bring up security issues to your supervisors or managers. No one wants to risk coming across as accusatory, or risk overstepping some invisible line.. But, at the same time, maybe a former employee is making threats against the company, or perhaps the parking lot lacks adequate lighting. Whatever the issue, if you feel you or your co-worker’s safety is at risk, speaking up is the right thing to do. Here, we’ll show you how.

Before you raise a concern, it’s important to evaluate whether or not your workplace safety is truly compromised, and if your company already has security measures in place to deal with the issue. It’s likely that your office isn’t as safe as it could be if it has any of the following:

• No security system or surveillance: Whether or not there’s been a workplace incident or break-in, a total absence of an office security system is a cause for concern. Despite how safe the area may be, without an alarm system or security cameras in place, the office will always be vulnerable to outside threats and unable to be alerted in case of an emergency. This could lead to heightened anxiety among employees, reducing their productivity and overall wellbeing. 

• Unsecured entrances: If you work at an office with multiple entrances, it’s important to check that each point is secured against unauthorized guests. The front entrance may have a receptionist, key-card reader, or keypad lock, but if other, less-conspicuous doorways are left open and unmonitored, you’re still every bit as vulnerable to intruders.

• Threats and violence: If your office recently let go of a disgruntled employee, received threats of violence, or was the site of a violent attack — and higher-ups did nothing to improve security measures — it’s time to take action. Not only is it nearly impossible to work under the threat of an imminent attack, but employees are now directly in harm’s way. Dangers of this nature should be taken seriously, and security should be ramped up in order to prevent anything bad from happening. 

• Poor visibility: Take a long, hard look at your office campus. The large shrubs, concrete pillars, or dark corners scattered around the perimeter or parking lot may add to the aesthetic appeal, but they also offer convenient hiding spots for thieves or assailants.  If the area has weak lighting (or no lighting whatsoever), the chance of potential threats has now doubled.  

When raising security concerns to your boss, it may feel like challenging authority or,  if you’re alone in your concerns, like presenting a losing argument. But this is hardly the case. If you’re working for a company that truly cares for its employees, supervisors would be grateful that you brought up an issue they likely overlooked, and would fix the problem immediately. After all, the office climate improves and everyone produces better work when they feel relaxed and cared for.

Below are a couple pointers for making a strong case for greater security: 

• Bring up specific incidents: When making the claim that you or others feel unsafe at the office, it helps to provide some specific examples of security breaches or dangerous incidents, especially if your boss wasn’t there. You can also describe how such incidents made you and other employees feel, and how morale was impacted afterwards. 

• Point out weak-spots: (And how they can be improved). After detailing safety breaches, explain why you believe beefing up security could have prevented the incident from ever taking place. If a former employee breached a back entrance, for instance, you could mention that by placing a keycard reader at every door, only current employees would be allowed entry. Should employees feel unsafe walking back to their cars at night, you can suggest greater lighting. Your boss will be more receptive to claims of danger if you provide a concrete solution for mending the problem. 

• Get co-workers involved: Finally, before raising concerns to your supervisors, it’s best to have some people in your corner. Consider collecting written testimonies from co-workers, or creating a document for everyone to sign. There’s safety in numbers, and if you can prove that the office supports your efforts at improving safety, your superiors will feel more pressure to improve security as quickly as possible.  

We believe everyone deserves to feel safe both at home and work, which is why we offer business security audits along with our residential ones. Using our expertise, we’ll scour your workplace until we’ve located all security threats and provide  solutions. Call us today for a free quote!

Businesses are composed of myriad moving parts. From daily operations to the maintenance of the office space, it’s impossible to list everything involved in making a company functional. But it takes all parts working in harmony for a business to thrive. Sometimes, helping your company achieve this goal means delegating new responsibilities to stand-out employees, trusting they’ll work in the best interest of the company. And, sometimes, this means handing over the keys.

Though most businesses rely on key-swipe mechanisms during business hours, nearly every office has an entrance that can be unlocked with a key at all times and internal doors with key locks. Regardless of your profession, if you operate out of a physical office space, it’s more than likely you’ll need to entrust a handful of employees with keys to these entrances. 

Though the reasons vary, employees typically need keys for one of the following purposes: to gain access to facilities outside normal hours, to open or lock up, or to respond to emergencies. 

Often, an employee needs to gain access to business premises outside the hours of operation, whether to fulfill their responsibilities or to complete a special project that demands working odd-hours. For these reasons, they may require a key to enter the building and lock up, and keys to access any internal offices they need to use. While these employees might also be tasked with locking up behind them, other employees are typically assigned the responsibility of opening and closing the office, which requires company keys as well. Finally, there might be certain employees who should be given keys for the sole purpose of entering the building in case of an emergency. These individuals are either equipped with the skills and expertise necessary for handling a break-in or other crisis, or they’ve proven to care enough they would be willing to help professional responders. 

In any case, being in possession of company keys is a major responsibility and due to the risks involved, keys should only be handed out if it’s absolutely necessary for business operations.

When your business depends on everything happening as it should, you can’t trust just any employee with the company keys. Even if some operations require someone using business keys, it’s imperative you fill this role with someone you can rely on and, for special situations where an employee might benefit from 24/7 access to company resources, it’s important to consider their character first as well. 

• For one, it’s of the utmost importance that all company key-holders demonstrate integrity in all their work and professional relationships. You need to be certain these people would never abuse their privileges, or use the key for any non-work related purposes. 
• In addition to being trustworthy, these people must also prove they’re responsible, reliable, and can listen to instruction. These employees are thorough and organized in their work, and make improvements when needed. If trusted with a company key, you could be sure they wouldn’t lose it or forget to complete the tasks they’re supposed to complete. 
• When choosing an employee, you may also want to consider their leadership skills. If an employee is using a company key, it’s almost certain they’re at the office at an odd-hour, with few other people. For this reason, it helps to choose someone who knows how to act in case of an emergency, and would be willing to report any suspicious activity.

As a business leader, you’re free to trust any employee with the company keys, but we think it would be ill-advised to leave your security maintenance in the hands of anyone other than Pop-A-Lock. We’ll help you locate potential weak-spots through our business security audits, and ensure you have full control over who can enter or exit your facilities with our business lock installation and rekeying services. Whatever your needs, we’re determined to make your business even stronger. Browse our website for more information, or give us a call to get a free quote today!