Operations Activity Year To Date 2010

Crime Stats Year to Date 2010

Monthly Security Tip
(Tip 1 2011)

Reducing the Risk of a Hijacking When Entering or in Your Vehicle

• Have your key ready, but not visible.
• Inspect the outside and inside of the vehicle before unlocking it.
• Know your destination and directions to it, and be alert should you get lost.
• Always drive with your windows and doors locked and/or closed.
• Make a mental note of any Police Stations in the area.
• When dropping a passenger off, make sure that they are safely in their own vehicle before departing.
• Avoid driving through high crime or unfamiliar areas.
• Avoid driving when the roads are quiet.
• Drive in the centre lane away from pedestrians where possible.
• If possible, never drive alone.
• NEVER pick up hitch-hikers.
• Change your routes on a regular basis.
• Do not leave windows open more than 5cm.

Monthly Security Tip
(Tip 2 2011)

Office Security tips

Instead of being paranoid about security, you can consider many options to make your office and the physical safety of your employees secured:

• Having a designated person to open and close the office means there is a point person. Having two means lowering the risk of theft or unwanted situation even more. (Have two (2) locks. This way, the office cannot be opened by just one person)
• Security cameras are now a very popular security tool for business owners. Also, when employees know that they are being monitored, they tend to be more efficient in their work.
• Require your employees to wear their company IDs at all times when inside the office. Also, outside service personnel must show proper identification when going in your office for security reasons.
• Working in a clutter free environment not only makes an employee work efficiently but also prevent from valuable things being misplaced or stolen. Always remind of this and to also store their belongings in locked drawers.
• Having a regular schedule for inventory is always a good idea to know that office supplies and equipments are still present in your office. This will also monitor your office supplies expenses and make your employees aware if they are wasting office supplies.

• Emails containing sensitive data or information about the company and its policies should not be spread around the office. Financial data, projections, marketing strategies and the like are examples of sensitive data and should be marked confidential at all times. Your employees must be briefed about how to keep them classified if they are one of the recipients.
• Encrypt confidential files so that if accidentally sent to the wrong person, they will not be able to open them.
• Limiting access to the confidential files is another way of securing sensitive data.

Threats like spyware, malware and viruses can inconvenience you in a big way. Losing important information and disrupting the workplace is something that you don't want to happen to your company. So investing in a very reliable antivirus is very crucial for your office security. If you think that a spyware is present in your office computer network and you can't get rid of it using spyware, the best advice is to get a professional to do the job.

Keeping your office safe and secured is a very important matter for your business. Keep in mind the above when thinking of creating security measures for your office.

Monthly Security Tip
(Tip 3 2011)

Tips for Home Security

• Ensure all gates cannot be taken off railings and access gained to your home in this manner. (I personally know people who have had this done to them).
• Train children and domestic workers not to let any strangers into your home.
• Train children and domestic workers not to leave any doors to your property unlocked, especially doors to kitchen areas.
• Perpetrators dress in overalls and claim to be workmen from telephone, water or electricity companies.
• Ensure that you have copies of identity documents of any domestic workers who work in your home and contact numbers.
• Ensure that all doors are locked whilst your home is unattended.
• When going on holiday, cancel newspaper deliveries. Arrange with a neighbour or friend to collect post. Unplug electrical appliances and empty refrigerators of perishable products. Have night switch installed that will ensure lights are switched on and off at night.
• Notify security company of your absence and ensure they have your current cell phone.

Monthly Security Tip
(Tip 4 2011)

Tips for Home Security

Most burglars are not into hard work. They're looking for the easiest entry with the biggest payoff. They normally want to get in and out without attracting any attention or wasting any time in an exposed position. If you have an alarm system installed (and maybe even if you don't), a sign in the yard and signs on the windows warning of the security system, will often cause them to move on hoping for easier pickings.

Other home security tips include keeping the curtains drawn at night, especially if you're not at home, and keeping valuables out of sight. High-cost, high-demand electronics which are visible from the outside are a lure to burglars. Check the sightlines from outside and where possible locate expensive, portable items where they can't be seen. If a burglar can't see your valuables, he may be unwilling to risk getting caught. Invest in a simple timer to connect to a light and perhaps a radio when you'll be out of the house. A dark house at an hour when most people are still awake can be an invitation to a break in.