Whether your company employs hundreds of staff or a few loyal workers, security is always a top concern for protecting your information and belongings. Many businesses concentrate solely on cybersecurity these days, but there are other things that can compromise your privacy and security— and that of your clients or customers.

We’ve compiled a list of eight things that often get forgotten when considering security at work.

1. Wallets

This almost goes without saying, but is still worth the mention. Your wallet contains a lot more than cash. Items such as an ID, driver’s licence, access card, credit or debit cards, travel cards and business cards are just as important as banknotes.

While it’s always a pain to lose money, it’s far more difficult to go through the process of blocking bank cards or replacing your driver’s licence. You might think that your office is a safe place and that leaving your wallet out in the open doesn’t pose any risk. It’s important to remember that your workplace is not your home. You can’t be 100% sure that everyone who walks past your desk is trustworthy.

Losing membership cards or business cards doesn’t sound so terrible, but in the context of protecting your privacy, it’s not something you want to experience. Identity theft is a serious issue and more common than you might think. A fraudster doesn’t need a vast amount of information to commit identity theft. You can be compromised just by leaving your name and address out in the open.

2. Unlocked devices

The great thing about technology is that it bypasses the need for copious amounts of paperwork. You can now keep reams of information stored securely on a smartphone or laptop without having to organise stacks of paper.

The flip side to this is that once someone gets into your device, they have access to everything on it. This is why it’s vital to keep all devices locked. Phones, laptops and tablets should all require a PIN or password to gain access. If you don’t have a password then facial, fingerprint or voice recognition is a must.

3. Passwords

Just like you shouldn’t leave your wallet lying around, you should never write down your passwords or PIN codes. Unless you’re going to stow them away in a very secure hiding place. It doesn’t matter what the password is for—Instagram, Facebook, Amazon, or your online banking platform—you should never be careless with information that could grant access to very private information.

4. USB devices

People often use USB sticks to back up information on their PCs or laptops. Many USB devices aren’t encrypted, meaning that anyone who picks one up can access everything on it when they plug it into their PC or laptop. USBs are also handy when transferring information from one person to another, which can make it even easier for it to get into the wrong hands inadvertently.

5. Access cards

These days there are many buildings that open with access cards rather than a physical key. You wouldn’t leave your car keys on top of your car—so don’t leave your access cards lying around where anyone could pick them up.

Access cards could play an important part in keeping information confidential by only admitting certain personnel to different parts of the building. A stolen access card could mean that a complete stranger can enter private areas raising no alarm bells. If someone can open a door with no trouble, it’s unlikely anyone will confront them.

6. Documents (legal and otherwise)

Although business has largely migrated online, hard copies of some documents are necessary—contracts, legal documents or tax records, for example. In the digital age it’s easy to assume that physical paperwork isn’t that important. All too often, documents get tossed in the trash because they’re mistaken for scrap paper. Keeping information confidential is critically important for any business.

A properly bolted down safe is ideal for storing documents, as a small safe kept loose in a drawer or cupboard is just as easy to pick up and walk away with.

7. Diaries and day planners

This might seem trivial, but it’s risky to allow everyone access to your daily schedule. Day planners can contain details of your personal life and your professional one. It would be easy to deduce when your workspace or home is left unattended, which makes it far easier for people to access private information and private property.

8. Keys

While access cards are very widely used by companies, there are many things that are still secured under lock and key. Your own home, for example, or your car, or keys to filing cabinets, a safe, or a P.O. Box.

If you spend enough time at the office, it can start to feel like home, but it’s important to remember that it’s not. Apart from being “home” to full-time employees, every workplace is something of a thoroughfare for visiting clients, couriers and business associates. While you might trust those passing through, the effort it takes to put your keys in a pocket or bag is miniscule compared to the inconvenience of having them pinched.

Bonus tip

One sure-fire way to avoid security issues in the office is to treat it as you would any other public place. In your own home it would be perfectly acceptable to leave your car keys on the kitchen table, but if you were in a coffee shop, there’s no way you would get up without taking your keys with you. If you sit on a bench outside during your lunch break, you’re not going to pop into a shop and leave your laptop where you were sitting. It might feel like your office is a safe place, and most times you may be right, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Stolen possessions are replaceable, but when it comes to confidential information, rectifying the situation is not that simple. Maintaining a level of caution is the best way to navigate the office without compromising your security and that of your colleagues and clients.

Meta Title: 8 Security Risks In Your Office |ABC MONEY UK

Meta Description: There are so many things in your office that may pose a security risk. Take a look at eight of the most common that you should never leave lying around.

RetailNext, a leading technology provider of retail analytics, announced on May 7, 2021, that it received a $42 million investment from Colbeck Capital. The newfound capital will allow RetailNext to further optimize shopper experiences for its clients with a leading edge IoT approach. The investment comes on the heels of record growth in the first fiscal quarter of 2021. Colbeck’s backing will also help RetailNext accelerate its implementation of more robust retail data infrastructure for struggling brick-and-mortal companies.

Retailer need for data on shopping behavior greatly increased during 2020 in order to surmount challenges presented by changes in volume, preferences, and compliance with CDC guidelines. Obtaining this data proved particularly challenging for brick-and-mortar retailers who lacked the insights that are first nature to eCommerce operations. Alexei Agratchev, CEO and Cofounder of RetailNext, commented on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on retailers, “There is no question that the pandemic accelerated the need for retailers to have more precise and reliable data on the real-time condition of their stores.”

As many of RetailNext’s customers look toward the future and lifting COVID-19 restrictions, demand for additional data analytics is soaring. With strong growth to kick off the year, RetailNext is poised to carry this rebound throughout 2021. Agratchev added that RetailNext is grateful for the opportunity to partner with Colbeck and thrilled with the potential for additional growth that the capital investment provides.

Jason Colodne, Co-founder of Colbeck Capital, expressed confidence that the investment in RetailNext will make a positive impact in retail analytics and retail store health. He said, “We saw a gap in the market during COVID, and RetailNext clearly established themselves as a leader in retail analytics.”

About RetailNext

RetailNext (formerly BVI Networks) was founded in 2007 by Cisco Systems engineers. They recognized that brick-and-mortar retailers needed business intelligence to perform analytics on their in-store data if they were to remain competitive with eCommerce retailers. RetailNext’s founding team created an analytics platform to address this exact need. The result is the world’s most advanced in-store analytics platform capable of addressing the unique needs of physical retailer locations.

RetailNext is based in San Jose, California, where it receives the support of proven technology providers including:

• Accenture
• Cisco
• Google
• IBM
• Intel
• Motorola
• Oracle
• Palm Computing
• Salesforce
• Symantec
• VeriSign

RetailNext partners with retail brands to help them measure store performance and identify growth opportunities. The company also assists partners in implementing strategies that drive bottom-line sales and capital savings. Some of these notable retailers include:

• Bloomingdales
• Colgate
• Saks Fifth Avenue
• Tiffany & Co.
• Lancôme
• L’Oreal
• Macy’s
• Polo Ralph Lauren
• Tommy Hilfiger
• Unilever

A Closer Look at the RetailNext Platform

RetailNext is a pioneer in optimizing shopper experiences, providing the first retail vertical Internet of Things (IoT) platform that brings shopper analytics from an eCommerce environment to brick-and-mortar stores. This centralized SaaS system automatically collects data on buyer behavior and analyzes it to provide retailers with the insight needed to improve shopper experiences in real time. This benefit allows retailers to increase in-store sales, reduce costs and mitigate liability risks.

The RetailNext platform uses a patented design that makes it robust and scalable. Its capabilities include best-in-class video analytics and the detection of mobile devices via Wi-Fi networks. It also integrates data from a variety of sources to determine how customers engage with stores including point-of-sale, staffing, promotional calendar and weather service systems.

The platform analyzes this data to show how each factor influences shopping behavior, providing retailers with the tools to measure success, identify opportunities for growth and implement changes to meet goals. Over 450 retailers throughout the world have adopted RetailNext’s platform as of May 2021, giving them a better understanding of their shoppers’ journey towards a purchase.

About Colbeck Capital Management

Colbeck Capital Management (www.colbeck.com) is a strategic lender that partners with companies during periods of transition, providing creative capital solutions to meet their evolving needs. Founded in 2009 by Jason Colodne and Jason Beckman, Colbeck’s principals have over 75 years of experience managing credit investing businesses and have underwritten over $22 billion in total loan volume. Colbeck has offices in New York City and Los Angeles.

Office staff typically spend much of their day sitting on the same chair. While workers and cleaning staff often take the time to clean their desks, the same attention is rarely paid to office chairs.

With many people working through their lunch break, eating and drinking at their desks every day, accidents involving the spillage of tea, coffee and food occur frequently. To keep an office chair free from odours and stains, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Office chairs are made from a variety of different materials, each of which must be treated differently to avoid making the blemish worse, or potentially causing permanent damage to the chair.

Fabric is the most affordable and widely used material for office chairs. Nevertheless, fabric does have its drawbacks, accumulating dirt, grime and dust over the years. The problem is exacerbated with brightly coloured fabrics, requiring an intensive process to clean effectively.

Most fabric chairs benefit from being shown a little TLC by taking the following steps:

• Vacuum to remove any dust, dry dirt or debris
• Check the label for special instructions
• Clean the fabric with a clean, damp cloth and water-based solution, if compatible
• Dry
• Re-vacuum
• Wipe the arms and legs

A leather office chair is typically very hard-wearing, but will require some upkeep to keep it looking its best. In addition to the forementioned steps, leather furniture requires regular applications of leather conditioner or protector to keep it soft and supple, and prevent damage or cracking over time.

Mesh is an incredibly versatile, increasingly popular option for office chairs that is not only comfortable and durable, but also compatible with a variety of décor styles. However, dirt, dust, crumbs and other debris can settle within the mesh, so it does require regular cleaning. A cloth and warm soapy water can often work wonders, using a cotton swab to access deeper dirt and less accessible parts of the chair.

Furniture At Work understands the importance of providing employees with a comfortable place to sit and work, delivering a vast array of fully adjustable seating, enabling the individual to adjust their chair to the right height and position for them.

From home office chairs to antique replica executive chairs, Furniture At Work offers a wide range of office chairs to suit all tastes and budgets. Boasting some of the UK’s most competitive prices, Furniture At Work covers all aspects of office décor, from storage and lockers to desks and school furniture.

Thinking about starting a business in the UK? You might be wondering if you’re able to as a non-UK resident. It may come as a surprise to find out that anyone can start a business in Britain. And, there are a lot of opportunities for non-residents to make their entrepreneurial dreams a reality. 

If you decide to start a business in the UK, you won’t be alone. The UK has one of the world’s biggest economies, and many non-residents have taken the opportunity to start their own UK-based business. 

But before you get your business off the ground, there are many things you’ll need to consider. Luckily, we’ve put together this handy guide to show you everything you need to do to start a business in the UK as a non-resident. 

Step 1: Business Name and Plan

Before you can start thinking about anything else, your business is going to need a name. You may already have a few ideas in mind for your business name, but if you  haven’t, it’s worth considering a few things to get the ball rolling: 

• What does your business do?
• What do you offer your customers? 
• Can you describe what you do in a single word? 

Once you’ve gone through these questions, you should be able to come up with a few different options. Write them down and ask your team or friends and family what they think; pay close attention as they may come up with something perfect. 

If you’re struggling to develop a business name, you can work backwards from your business plan. Your business plan will give an overview of what your business will do and how it will succeed. Your business plan should include details on: 

• The need for your business
• Your business model
• Market and competitor analysis
• Financial projections.

Be as detailed and critical as you can when putting your business plan together, as it’s a roadmap for your business’s success (or failure). Once you’ve done your research, you may have stumbled upon the perfect business name. If you’re still struggling, you can try a business name generator for inspiration.

Step 2: Business Address

To start a business in the UK as a non-resident, you’ll need a UK address to register your business. This may sound daunting if you have no plans to move to Britain to start your business, but it’s nowhere near as complicated as it first appears.

While you do need access to the address, there are ways around the issue. One of the easiest ways is to register your business at a family member or friend’s address if you have any in the UK (check with them first). Another option is to get a virtual office space with a postal address in a building owned by somebody else. Companies that offer virtual offices will forward any correspondence you receive, so you can be sure you’ll get all of your company’s post.  

Step 3: Business Legal Structure

One of the most important considerations for starting a business in the UK is the legal structure of your business. Regardless of whether you plan to run your business in Britain or a different country, your company’s legal structure will determine how your business runs. There are several forms of company structure to choose from: 

• Partnership — Two or more people set up a company and share responsibilities and profits. 
• Private Limited Company — A separate legal entity to the owners and needs one shareholder and one director. 
• Public Limited Company (PLC) — Shares are available publicly, and PLCs need two directors and a company secretary.
• Unlimited Company — An uncommon business type in which shareholders have joint, total liability for any business debts.
• Social Enterprise — All profits go to charitable organisations or causes.
• Unincorporated Associations — Usually, unincorporated non-profit organisations like community groups. 

While there are several types to choose from, most new businesses opt to become a private limited company. 

Step 4: Registration with Companies House and HMRC

The process of registering a business with Companies House as a non-UK resident is no different from that of a British resident. You’ll need to provide the same information, and there are no charges for registering. You’ll need to supply Companies House with the following information: 

• Business name
• Business address
• Shareholder information
• Documents of formation
• Director Information

After your registration, you will need to register for tax with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), who will issue you with a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR). To ensure that you pay the correct amount of tax, you’ll need to record all your sales and expenses. If your annual taxable turnover is more than £85,000, you’ll also need to register for Value Added Tax (VAT). 

Step 5: Other Things to Consider Before Starting a UK Business

At this stage, you are set up and ready to start trading as a business. But there are several other things that you may want to consider before getting started, such as: 

• A UK business bank account or virtual bank account
• Visas for travelling or working in the UK
• Data protection registrations
• Any licenses your business will need

It’s worth taking the time to consider these as failure to do so could cause you significant problems later on. Certain industries have specific requirements for companies, so it’s always worth double-checking what you need before starting your business. 

Once you’ve completed all the steps above, you’re ready to get your business going and make your entrepreneurial dreams come true.