As a small business owner, you know how important it is to provide your staff and your clients with a safe and positive environment. However, a CCTV control room is often not the first thought that comes to mind for a small business. A CCTV control room is one of the most effective ways to ensure that your staff and office space are safe, day and night. Below are just some of the reasons why you need a security control room for your small business.
It will prevent criminal activity
Businesses that install a CCTV security system are less likely to be targeted by criminals. Often, the mere sight of a camera on the side of a building is enough to deter and prevent criminal activity. Criminals do not want to be caught in the act.
If the unfortunate event occurs that you are broken into, you will be able to prevent further crime by installing CCTV control room equipment in your office space. Criminals tend to target buildings and businesses that appear to be unprotected, which means that having a CCTV control room will reduce your chances of being targeted, and can help to reduce crime in the area overall.
You will protect your business assets
A small business, such as an artisan coffee shop or vegan restaurant, will have assets that help it to function. It is vital to protect these assets, and you will need to have both insurance (in case one of them is stolen) and a CCTV control room to watch over every asset your business owns.
Installing a good security system also relates to cybercrime, as you will be able to watch both consumers and employees, noting who is using your computers at any time during work hours. If you notice missing data or incorrect time logging of employees, you will be able to go over the camera footage to see who logged what at what time. Data and information may not always be covered by your insurance company, which is why having a CCTV control setup is vital to protecting your assets.
Protect your employees
Your small business might only have five to ten employees operating at once, but this small number does not make protecting them any less important. Your employees are your most valuable asset, and so their safety should come first.
A CCTV control room will allow you to keep an eye on your employees, ensuring that they are safe. If any suspicious activity does occur on or around your premises, you will be able to see it happening and take immediate action, such as someone harassing your employees or trying to gain entry to your building. Protecting your employees also protects your business, making it a win-win situation for everyone involved.
Assist law enforcement
If your business is broken into and something is stolen, assisting the police with CCTV footage can help their investigation immensely. The police may need to release footage to the public in order to catch criminals who have stolen significant amounts from your business, or retrace the steps of the crooks in order to catch them.
Law enforcement officers might have the best skills in the business, but without video evidence, they are unable to find criminals with ease. A picture or a video can make a huge difference when looking for criminals, and will also prove to them that you made the right call in contacting them about the situation.
Keep your employees honest
While it is vital to protect your business from outside threats, there are internal threats that could damage it too, such as dishonest employees or employees who steal from you. You do have to make your employees aware that you are filming them with CCTV, but this footage may not hold up in a CCMA court, as every person is entitled to privacy according to the constitution of South Africa.
The knowledge that they are being filmed will, however, encourage employees to be honest and open while working, making for a more productive workplace. In a small business, it is easy to become friends with your employees, as you work closely with one another. While this is positive, it can lead to them taking advantage of you in some situations. Being able to monitor their behaviour will keep them honest and will deter crime in the office space.
Conclusion
Having a CCTV control room is vital for the safety of your small business, but it is important that you make both customers and employees aware that you are using CCTV in your office or retail space. Cameras can help to protect your staff and your assets, as well as aid in diminishing the crime in the area overall. Small businesses need to think about their safety just as much as bigger corporations, so investing in CCTV control room equipment and setting one up is the best action to take.
