Consider these low-cost ways to increase your business security

The September 11 attacks caused many businesses to tighten their security.  Most small businesses lack the money that large corporations have to hire private security firms.  But there are some practical, low-cost measures even small businesses can take to improve security.  Consider these suggestions:

• Perform background checks before you hire.  Hiring an employee with a history of violence may put you, your employees, and your customers at risk.  Don't trust your instincts.  One of the biggest mistakes companies make is failing to double-check resumes and references.  For a small fee, you can hire a private company to do a background check for you.

• Create a disaster plan.  Train your employees how to react to dangerous situations.  When a crisis arises, levelheaded thinking can save lives.  Ask your local police department, Chamber of Commerce, Red Cross chapter, or college if they offer training.

• Install a video surveillance system.  The cost of a monitor and a couple of cameras may be far less expensive than you expect.  Simply seeing surveillance cameras may cause people to think twice before causing a problem.

• Take a look at your building and parking area.  Does your building have heavy-duty locks and deadbolts on the doors and windows?  Do you need brighter outside lighting?  Do you use motion-detecting lights and alarms?

• Install computer security software.  Without proper protection, your computer system could be invaded by a damaging computer virus or a vindictive computer hacker.  Inexpensive firewall software can block unauthorized access to your computer system.  Most firewall software also comes with tools to block computer virus attacks.  For maximum protection, you'll want to keep the most current update of the software installed on your computer.

  Use password protection to limit access to your computer system and to your company data.  Perform regular computer backups and store them securely off the premises.