The cannabis domain is attractive for entrepreneurs because there are immense opportunities to thrive. But you have to live with risks, whether engaged in cultivation, extraction, manufacturing, transport, or retail. You cannot afford to go slack with security and compliance because the slightest error can land your business in trouble. A break-in can risk your investment and get you in legal trouble. Both are harmful to your business, so you must stay one step ahead of security threats. Here are some best practices that can help you go the extra mile.
Know Your Risks
Before picking a strategy to safeguard your business and products, you must know your threats. They may differ according to the domain you operate in, but basically, your products are at risk. The threats may also extend to your workers, visitors, and customers. Robbery, fires, protests, natural disasters, power outages, and community emergencies are some threats you may come across. Once you list the risks, you can create specific strategies to deal with them.
Commit to Due Diligence
The industry is highly regulated, and regulations mandate strict measures for accessing and handling inventory. You must commit to due diligence to protect your investment. Define clear procedures for employees entering the restricted areas. You must be even more vigilant about letting outsiders in the facility. Educate your staff about the procedures and implement strict consequences of noncompliance. Stringent rules go a long way in preventing internal pilferage and external threats.
Focus on Physical Safety
Safeguarding your employees and customers from harm should be a priority for a cannabis business owner. You must invest in physical security to keep your products safe and compliant. The experts at armaplex security recommend you take a holistic security plan to cover all fronts. Consider engaging armed guards, installing alarms, and setting up video surveillance. These are small investments for protecting your facility, products, people, and reputation in the long haul.
Give Attention to Cybersecurity
Covering physical safety for your cannabis business is only half the work done. You must give attention to cybersecurity, even if it does not seem as significant as physical safety. Cyberattacks threaten customer accounts if you engage in e-commerce orders and take online payments. But there are more reasons to worry. Hackers may try to access your computers, customer databases, and even automated cultivation systems. Moreover, even small businesses are at risk. Engage a cyber security professional to develop programs, policies, and endpoint monitoring.
Seek Community Support
Surprisingly, community support is a crucial element of cannabis business security. It can lower the risk of criminal incidents and public protests. Ensure you follow all the local and state laws and regulations to operate legally and get community acceptance. Building good relationships with local communities is equally vital. You can do it by educating people, ensuring the quality of products and services, and consolidating the reputation of your business.
The cannabis industry has lucrative opportunities. But you have to do your bit to address the risks and threats your business faces. Know your challenges and create specific strategies to deal with them. Keep track of the evolving threats to ensure you are always one step ahead of them.
