Entrepreneur.com - January 11, 2013
Small business owners spend billions of dollars to help protect against theft. In 2011, employee theft cost companies $34.5 billion, accounting for 43.9% of total losses. Here are 5 different ways employees steal from their employees and 5 of the most common security measures to fight this type of theft.
Problem # 1 - Taking money from the register
Solution - Internet protocol cameras - For many years, analog CCTV cameras watched over registers, but today, IP cameras are bringing the latest and greatest to a whole new level. These types of cameras not only enhance loss prevention, but also monitor customer service and other workplace issues by viewing internet connected computers or mobile devices.
Problem # 2 - Copying the company's digital assets
Solution - Cloud -based security services - With 2011, being declared the year of the security breach, it's more important now more than ever to protect the company's digital assets. Cloud-based services has features that can help protect by providing firewall maintenance, intrusion prevention and antivirus monitoring.
Problem # 3 - Stealing customer data
Solution - Data encryption services - Many companies provide these types of services which restricts access on the hardware level. In addition, some may even have a hack proof feature.
Problem # 4 - Pilfering products
Solution - Radio frequency identification tags - Inventory practices need to be initiated in companies to help prevent products from walking out the door. RFID tags come in 2 types that readers can detect either up to 40 feet or 300 feet away. Inventory can be conducted more frequently since it's less laborious to account for shelved or stored products.
Problem # 5 - Cheating on time sheets
Solution - Biometric Identification Systems - These systems keep employees accountable for their time on the job and help prevent "buddy-punching." These types of systems include facial recognition, fingerprints, RFID badges and web interfaces to track employee time on the job.