No one likes audits. It is an intimidating process with bookkeepers scrutinising every little thing you did and every single cent you spent. It serves an especially important purpose though and helps keep your company on the right track to achieving success.

“Doing an audit of your home and business security systems at this mid-point of the year could play just as important a role. By asking the right questions you can quickly find out what parts of the security system you installed is still working and what aspects might need to be repaired or even replaced,” says Charnel Hattingh, Group Head of Communications and Marketing at Fidelity Services Group.

She explains where you should look and what questions to ask, when doing a mid-year audit of the security measures installed at your place of work and at your residence.

“In both cases, it helps to look at the exercise through the eyes of a criminal. How easy would it be for you to break into your own home or even at your office? What are the immediate security flaws you see that could give an unwanted visitor easy access,” asks Hattingh.

Some of the security audit questions to ask for your residence:

• Do all the alarm sensors still properly work and detect when a door or window is opened and closed?
• Can you see any of the alarm system’s wires that might be frayed or broken?
• If you experienced recent heavy rains or extreme weather, have you checked that all external elements (like passive sensors in your garden) are still in good working condition?
• When last did you replace the alarm system’s battery backup? Batteries have a finite lifespan and offer an important buffer when there is any kind of electricity disruption.
• Does your wall or security fence still effectively prevent anyone from gaining access to your property?
• Does your armed response company still have your latest contact details? And have you assessed whether their monitoring centre still receives any panic alarms or other emergency communication from your system?

“When it comes to the security of your place of work it can also help if you ask these same questions. There are other things to consider as well depending on the size of your company and the type of industry you work in,” says Hattingh.

Questions for a business would include:

• Have you consulted a legal expert to confirm all security measures that are legislated for your industry, are in place?
• When last did you do an induction course or even a refresher session with your staff to show them how they can help protect the company? Do they remember where the panic alarm buttons are, and do they remember what behaviour you expect of them when they are on duty?
• Are all your CCTV cameras still working and effectively recording movement at the office?
• How often do you and your fellow business owners in your suburb meet to discuss security and safety concerns for the area?

“If you are not sure where to start or what to look for, please contact your armed response company today. They can send a technician or a consultant to give you advice on what to do and what to fix,” says Hattingh.