College Campus Workplace Security - Office Security

If you work in a shared office with other people, it becomes a bit more difficult to protect your property than if your office is a single. While it may be more difficult, it is not impossible. First, communicate with your fellow employees about your concerns about security. Make an agreement among yourselves that the last person to leave will secure the door. Bring your office key with you every time you leave the office. While this is not necessarily a safety point, it may save you the inconvenience and embarrassment of returning to your office after lunch to find everybody gone and the office locked up.

Securing your office door when you are gone is the primary defense against property theft in the office. A closed, but unlocked door offers no defense against crime. Ask any campus security officer about investigating office thefts and they will tell you they have heard countless victims say, "I was only in the bathroom a few minutes." Office crimes are crimes of opportunity. Therefore, take away that opportunity by locking your door.

If you bring personal items to work such as a radio, fan, or whatever, engrave them with your identifying information such as your driver license number or the last four digits of your social security number in reverse order. You can get engravers in any hobby supply or hardware store.

Do not advertise your travel intentions to the world. Telling a caller that a fellow employee is on a trip to Mexico is like telling a burglar that the coast is clear to burglarize their house. Tell callers that the person they seek is "away from the office for a few hours." The less you tell the better.

Working late in your office has its own inherent security concerns. Once everybody has gone home for the day, do not be afraid to lock your office door while you are inside. Unless you are expecting a number of visitors, this should be easy for you. It is more convenient to answer a knock at the door than to be a victim of petty theft. Never answer a door if you are not sure who the person is on the other side.

During night time, walking across a big empty parking lot to your vehicle can be scary for many people. Even if your car is parked within sight of your building, plan ahead for your personal safety. Call the campus security service to request that an officer be in the parking lot when you exit. Be prepared to leave the building right away upon the officer's arrival.

Preventing unauthorized use of your campus computer can save a lot of headache for you and campus security. In a private office, security of your computer can be as simple as locking your door whenever you leave the office. In an office suite, you may have to take extra steps to maintaining your security. Use passwords to protect your system. Securing the keyboard and mouse in a lockable desk drawer can also prevent a nosy individual from viewing your files.

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