Cybersecurity gets the headlines, but a surprising number of breaches start with something physical: a propped-open door, a laptop left on a desk, a stranger who walked in behind an employee. For a small office, physical security is the other half of protecting your business.
Access control: who gets in
The goal is simple: only the right people enter, and you know who did. For most small offices this means moving past shared keys to a system where each person has their own credential (a fob, card, or phone), access can be revoked instantly when someone leaves, and you have a record of comings and goings. It is the physical version of giving each employee their own login.
Cameras: seeing what happened
Cameras deter problems and give you answers when something goes wrong. You do not need a wall of screens; a few well-placed cameras covering entrances and sensitive areas, with footage stored securely and retained long enough to be useful, covers most needs. Make sure recordings are protected, because camera footage is sensitive data too.
Alarms and monitoring
An alarm system, ideally monitored so someone responds when it triggers after hours, handles the break-in scenario that access control and cameras do not. For many small offices this is the baseline, with access control and cameras layered on top.
Where physical meets cyber
The two are connected. A stolen laptop is a data breach if the drive is not encrypted. Someone who tailgates into your office can plug into your network. A visitor left alone near an unlocked computer is a risk. Good physical security supports your cybersecurity, and the basics (device encryption, screen locks, a separate guest network) cover the overlap.