2020 started out much like any other year, including Creative Industries bringing attention to trends in corporate security of the type we address—protection of people in the workplace from the threat of gun violence with bullet proof barriers in all types of business, industry, and commercial settings. But then along came a brand new threat to corporate security—the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 global pandemic.
The Invisible Threat to Safety and Security: A Microscopic Virus
There are many lessons to be learned from the pandemic, the hardest of which might be the realization of how a submicroscopic virus can literally turn the entire planet upside down in a surprisingly short amount of time. Vaccines and effective treatments are finally on the horizon, and even though it feels like everyone has been waiting forever for them, these medical advancements have come much faster than in past disease-fighting efforts. There must also be the sobering realization this won’t be the last pandemic we face. This is why, as a corporate safety and security trend, it’s important to learn what any business, regardless of industry, can do to protect the health of their workers and customers in the face of this kind of public health crisis. And while fighting an invisible enemy seems abstract compared to protecting against the threat of workplace violence, there are some important areas of overlap.
Physical Threats Versus Cybersecurity Threats
It should come as no surprise that the vast majority of what’s out there when you search the internet for corporate security trends has to do with cybersecurity measures for effective data and information protection. After all, this is the digital era of the twenty-first century. Every company needs to invest in technology infrastructure improvements to protect cloud services and provide training on how to thwart phishing and many other kinds of hacker attacks. In the face of COVID-19, even these cybersecurity measures feel more tangible than the fight against an invisible enemy. We even talk about viruses that infect computers, and digital antivirus protection is a major area of business of multinational corporations such as Moscow-based Kaspersky Lab.
It’s interesting to note how most people think the biggest threat they face in the workplace is the possibility of a fire breaking out. It makes sense when you think about it. There are periodic fire drills to practice building evacuation, and these serve to put fire safety in people’s minds more than other kinds of threats. But the fact of the matter is that in the United States, workplace shootings are 30 times more likely to happen than fires, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Pre-Pandemic Corporate Security Priorities
Business priorities before the pandemic hit included more training and awareness of what to do in active shooter situations when a gun attack occurs in the workplace, as well as paying more attentions to the kinds of warning signs the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has identified that may indicate a gun attack is possible. And those warning signs were present in 70% of incidents they studied. Awareness of these warning signs and a training program about the need to take them seriously is an important step all businesses can take. And while law enforcement arrives as quickly as they can, it’s rarely fast enough to stop an active shooter before people get hurt or killed.
Now the trend has shifted towards workplace safety in terms of protecting employees and customers from the spread of disease-causing viruses. As it turns out, the kinds of protective barriers that provide bulletproofing in corporate settings can also play a vital role in slowing and stopping the spread of the virus in the workplace. Many companies still have reduced workforces with many employees continuing to work from home. This makes it a good time to rethink how additional protection can be put in place that does the double duty of increasing safety related to both gun violence and the spread of a virus. At Creative Industries, our expertise is in both standard and customized bullet resistant barriers that facilitate getting work done, including interacting with customers and the public, while enhancing workplace safety and security.
Investing in Workplace Safety and Security
The pandemic has wreaked havoc on the economy, though its impacts vary widely depending on the industry of any given business. Regardless of economic pressures, however, the best time to invest in greater workplace safety and security is always right now. Every employee rightly expects to work in a safe environment. When companies invest in enhancing safety and security, it sends a strong signal to each employee that business owners are concerned about their well-being. This can go a long way towards boosting employee morale, satisfaction, and productivity.
Creative Industries: Your Partner for Workplace Protection
If your company is ready to tackle the overlapping protective barriers that can cover both gun violence and viruses like the novel coronavirus, we’re ready to help you think through your needs and your options. We’ll then come up with a plan that works for you based on the products we make, including a wide range of transparent bullet resistant barriers. Some of the many bullet resistant products we make include the following:
- Bulletproof Window: A wide range of bulletproof window products provide greater security and protection for employees.
- Deal Trays: Deal tray products protect workers who interact with customers, including passing items back and forth during transactions.
- Talk Thrus: When employees need to have clear communication and dialog with customers, talk thrus can be added to bulletproof barriers for better service.
- Drawers: Like the drive-ups at many banks, a drawer is extended for the customer to put things in to facilitate transactions.
- Pass Thrus: Larger than typical drawers, these products can handle passing larger items back and forth when needed.
While the above list is representative of the kinds of standard bulletproof and virus-proof barrier products many public-facing businesses need, Creative Industries can also create customized solutions to meet the needs and requirements of any business or corporate office. We can produce bulletproof desks, conference tables, doors (whether glass or other material), and more. These items can be made to have the right look for any professional office setting. You don’t have to sacrifice aesthetics for functionality!
We’ve been helping businesses and corporations across a wide range of industries achieve better safety and security, and we’re ready to help you as well. All you have to do is drop us a line through the contact page of our website or call us toll-free at 800-776-2068 to start the conversation!