Everyone has a responsibility to think about how their work impacts security. Some employees have a greater impact on security than others. Managers are the key to company security. Here are 10 things managers can do to improve security.
1. Please read the security policy
Security policies are a standard part of most organizations. Managers who are not familiar with the policy should take the time to learn it. You want to gain more respect from your IT staff? Ask your IT team to guide you. Managers have the responsibility of providing guidance to employees about how to complete work tasks within security guidelines. Managers will not be able detect or notify violations by workers who are not subject to their control if they do not know the company’s security policy.
2. Demonstrate compliance with the security policy
In today’s business world, “Do as I say, and not as I do” is not a good idea. Employees will not be impressed if a manager or executive fails to follow a company security policy. Managers must demonstrate strict compliance with the company policy and provide verbal or written guidance.
3. Prioritize security over convenience
Profits are the main focus of most private sector businesses. This means that other priorities are often overlooked and pushed aside in order to make more profits. If there is a security breach, your profits will be severely affected. Managers must find a balance between security and optimizing workflow to maximize revenue. Keep in mind that humans are naturally inclined to avoid problems and choose the simplest option. This must be a constant battle in your personal and professional life. You should also encourage your employees to do the same. Prioritize security and excellence, consistency, stability, and stability over speed, profit, and convenience.
4. Do not assume that all people, internal and external, are good and have the best intentions.
We must be prepared for the worst and keep our fingers crossed for the best. Even organizations that have made reasonable preparations for the worst, reality can strike at any moment. A security breach can have devastating consequences. We can’t be too optimistic or pessimistic in light of this fact. All workers are not going to do their best and have the company’s best interests at heart. Some outsiders may not be good customers and will only pay fair prices for fair products. You should plan for the possibility that workers will leave your company or that outsiders will try to take advantage of it.
5. Workers who claim to have the knowledge and skills should be able to perform tasks at a reasonable level of quality.
A worker should be honest and truthful about their abilities and skills. However, a manager should never accept a resume as written. Managers should assign tasks to workers once they are on the job. They should vary in complexity and importance depending on whether the worker has demonstrated skill, competence, and reliability. It doesn’t mean that someone can do important tasks just because they have a lot of certifications or years of education. Do not trust, but verify, or more accurately, supervise.
6. Avoid passing on responsibility (and blame!) to workers
You as a manager should take full ownership of all tasks, jobs, and projects you manage. It is your responsibility to ensure that tasks are completed on time and correctly, even if they are given to workers you supervise. You must determine why a worker is not able to complete a task and offer a solution. It is better to give the worker more time, give them additional training, give constructive criticism, or move them to a different position. You should not blame the worker for the failure. You must be aware of the skills and abilities of your employees and assign tasks that are within their capabilities.