Home Office Security: What Every Business Owner Should Know

Running a business from home is a dream for many people. Your home office is more relaxed than a typical corporate office, but your security plans shouldn't be.

An in-home burglary occurs every 15 seconds, according to a report from entrepreneur.com. That statistic becomes even scarier when you think about the valuable equipment, documents and otherwise that are sitting in your home office every day.

Here's what you need to know about securing your home office, reducing the chances of a break-in.

Cyber Security Is Still High Priority

An unsecured cyber office space is a digital criminal's dream. "Small businesses fall into hackers' cybersecurity 'sweet spot:' They have more digital assets to target than an individual consumer has, but less security than a larger enterprise," said Stephen Cobb, a senior security researcher at antivirus software company ESET.

The information on your computer system is likely as valuable as the material possessions in your office. So, hire a reputable IT company that works with small businesses to bolster your online security. They'll be able to set up anti-virus software on your computer and network. They can also ensure your firewalls and other critical security settings are set up correctly.

These security measures are especially vital if you keep private customer information on your computers. This includes social security numbers or credit card account information.

Nanny Cams Aren't Just for Babysitters

Parents have relied on nanny cams to keep an eye on the safety of their little ones while away. These small, discreet devices can be used for home office security, too.

The most significant benefit for the security cameras is their size. This lets you have one in the office without being obvious or noticed at all. Thanks to technology, nanny cams have a variety of valuable features.

"The nanny cam of today is highly-advanced. Options include DVR recording, wireless operation, and even LCD recording screens you can monitor remotely," said experts at The Home Security Super Store. This gives you a chance to catch a break-in in real-time, and potentially stop it from happening.

Most nanny cams can be set to run continuously around the clock or to turn on only when it detects motion. Some can also send you a notification when there's activity. This gives you that chance to catch a crime before it happens.

Protect Your Paper Documents

There are many ways to keep your paper documents safe and secure from intruders. Your first line of defense is securing filing cabinets with sensors. Be sure to keep the perimeters of the office secured with door alarms that sound when someone enters.

Take it a step further by installing a smart lock system. Check out how this blogger found the right smart lock for his office, and what the installation process looks like.

Finally, consider investing in a fireproof safe for the final layer of protection. There are many styles of safes available. Some include diversion safes that blend in with your surroundings and some are only available when accessed via fingerprints.

Use a good shredder for documents you don't need to keep. This makes sure the information doesn't fall into the wrong hands.

Don't Forget About Data Security

Avoid manual backups by setting your computer to do it automatically on a regular basis.

Here are tutorials for Windows and Mac automatic backup setup:

• Configure Automatic Backups in Windows 7, 8 and 10
• How to Set Up Automatic Backups in macOS and iOS

Set this to run weekly and store copies of your data in different locations, if possible. If you're working with an IT company that provides cybersecurity solutions, they may offer this as a service for you as well.

Keeping your home office secure is just as important as keeping your personal items secure in a regular office. Except, in this case, it's your job to figure out how. Use these tips to boost safety and peace of mind so you can work more and stress less.

To view the original article, visit the MileIQ blog.