Security emergency action plans can mitigate business risks.

You may have heard about security emergency action plans but since you operate a small business you assumed it’s not necessary to have one. As a security expert, I want to tell you that is the wrong way of thinking. Even as a small business, you are vulnerable to pandemics, fires, natural disasters, security breaches, active shooters, terrorist threats and more. You must be prepared in order to prevent damage or loss of money and protect employees, clients and premises. When emergencies happen, it is crucial to be able to address the issues immediately by executing predetermined measures. Having a security emergency plan in place can address vulnerability to issues such as: 

• External risks beyond your control, including natural disasters, economic instability, civil unrest and break-ins.  
• Internal risks such as injuries to or from employees and clients which can lead to lawsuits.  
• Data breaches can result in the loss of sensitive information including customer data, financial information and intellectual property. There may also be legal and financial consequences that can arise from data breaches. 
• Workplace accidents often happen in small businesses because they lack the resources to implement safety measures that need to be taken for chemicals, electrical hazards, forklifts accidents and more.  
• Financial risks which can greatly impact small businesses include cash flow, unexpected expenses, theft and fraud.  

An additional benefit to developing your security emergency action plan is that in doing so, you will discover existing vulnerabilities and can take the steps necessary to mitigate the risks. This could save lives, money and greatly help if any legal issues arise. 

Developing a security emergency action plan is not as difficult as it may seem. If you’re unsure about where to begin or don’t have the time or personnel, an outside firm can help you to develop one. If you do decide to develop a security emergency action plan yourself, here are some basic steps to follow: 

• Identify possible risks and threats. This may differ for each business depending on the type and location. Your goal is to imagine and define possible scenarios and situations in advance. This will allow you to develop plans so you’re able to act quickly in the event of a disaster or emergency. 
• Define your company's priorities. Your first priority is the safety of your employees, customers, suppliers and neighbors, so having clear plans for evacuation and shelter are crucial. Consider your cash situation, data, physical location and property/product when developing your plan, too. This helps to predict the consequences of any business disruption. While you will not be able to determine the exact impact any situation will have on your business, your plan will help you identify which risks are most likely to affect you. 
• Protect your data with secure backup. To continue to operate as long as possible, make sure your emergency plan includes storing and backing up all essential data at a secure, off-site location. This will help to minimize any downtime. Also have a plan to store and protect any physical documents, which includes keeping digital copies of all important physical documents. 
• Write your plan. When developing your plan, consider all possible scenarios including weather and natural disasters, fires, a shooting, looting, etc. Also include how you will communicate with your employees, customers and even the public in the event of a disaster.   

• Establish a chain of command. Designate who from your company will lead in the event of a disaster. It's important to include who will be contacted in the event of an emergency and have their contact information in the plan. Update this annually or as needed.  
• Have a mitigation plan for any potential damage. Ensure your systems are up to date including everything from fire extinguishers to software. Make sure your business insurance is paid up and that you have adequate coverage to include various types of disasters that may occur. Additionally, touch base with your banker to make sure your financing is in order. 
• Review, test and refine. Once you have developed your plan, review it carefully. Test it with your employees to make sure you have covered everything and that they understand the details of the plan. Make changes or adjustments as needed, addressing any weaknesses or vulnerabilities that come up during the test phase. This is a living document that should be periodically adjusted or changed. 
• Update annually. Ensure your best practices and protection by keeping everything in your plan up-to-date and conducting annual disaster simulations with your employees. 

There are many available small business resources to help in the event of a disaster, including the Small Business Association (SBA), which has disaster unemployment assistance and can help with the qualifications for special tax provisions and emergency loans.  

The Department of Homeland Security and FEMA also provide tools through their “Ready Business” that may be able to help. 

Timothy A Dimoff, CPP, Founder and President of SACS Consulting and Training Center, is a nationally recognized expert in corporate security and HR issues, with over 40 years of experience in workplace security, labor and human resource consulting to corporations, associations, religious entities, educational facilities, non-profit organizations and others.  He consults, trains and develops solutions for workplace issues including substance abuse, management training, sexual harassment, documentation procedures, liability reduction, hiring/firing, pre-employment screening, employee motivation, workplace violence, bullying, corporate investigations, internal theft, security analysis/vulnerability assessment and security measures. He provides commentary and profiling analysis for television, radio and print media worldwide.

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