The complete guide to sensitive asset management

How are sensitive assets defined?

The loss or theft of sensitive assets can be devastating. You may wonder what is meant by “sensitive.” Typically, it refers to information and data that requires special protective measures. This could be for numerous reasons.

The data may be secret, and highly likely to be the target of attackers. Such information falling into the wrong hands could undermine military operations, international relations, or criminal investigations.

It may alternatively be commercial or operational. Hostile intruders may misuse it, compromising a business’ security.

Or it could be commercially sensitive, meaning it is confidential and only to be known between relevant parties. Companies have a duty to protect certain personal data belonging to customers, as well as financial data like a person's debit card and bank account details, financial statements, and PIN numbers.

Sensitive assets could also refer to a network: multiple connected computers sharing resources. They can also be systems that run important services in a network, such as housing or sales management. Cyberattacks on networks or systems can severely disrupt business operations and potentially result in huge financial losses.

So, now we know what classes as sensitive assets, let's look at our 10 top tips to protect them:

Effective asset management and protection – 10 tips to get the process right from the outset

1. Audit, audit, audit

A business is only as strong as its weakest link. So, start by identifying the weaknesses in your asset management and security systems. What is your system currently capable of, and what else do you need it to do? What are the risks to your organization? 

Put together a team of people with experience and expertise in carrying out audits and have them funnel their findings back to senior management.

2. Accidental loss

Let's think about the different types of threats to your assets. One of those is loss. Intelligent key cabinets can help eliminate that by tracking who is logged into your system and when, as well as those who use your assets. This increases accountability and encourages employees to act more responsibly.

3. Emergency abandonment of an asset

Consider how employees, such as police officers, may be forced to abandon their vehicles during emergencies. In these instances, you need a system that allows you to track who last booked out the vehicle and when in order to recover it as soon as possible. Intelligent key cabinets let you do just that.

4. Hijack and vehicle theft during transportation

Now, let's consider another possible threat. Law enforcement and military personnel, for instance, may be targets of hijacking or vehicle theft. 

Tracking software can help you protect employees and recover your vehicles sooner, by alerting you as soon as staff members miss their curfew for returning items. This is particularly vital where public safety is at risk.

5. Inside attacks

Threats can come from the inside, such as unhappy employees motivated to help a competitor by giving away company secrets. Intelligent key cabinets can help you track who is using your assets and how so you can quickly identify which employees might be acting maliciously.

6. Think physical protection

Security guards will always have their place in security but humans, of course, make mistakes, especially when working unsociable hours. 

By complementing manpower with the industrial strength and durability of key cabinets, you’re providing an extra layer of security for your assets.

7. Think digital protection

What blindspots might your digital systems have, which open them up to intruders? Lockers and key cabinets can stop unauthorized users accessing your systems via multiple log-in methods, namely PIN code, card reader and biometric fingerprints. 

Automating systems can also reduce human error, which, as stated above, is especially important during unsociable hours.

8. Remote protection

Being able to safeguard your valuable items and sensitive information when you're not even on site is a huge bonus. 

It can give you ultimate peace of mind, even when you're in another country. Intelligent key cabinets and software give you full control over item access and reservations from your smartphone, wherever you are.

9. Transit

How will you manage and protect your assets during transit? Sophisticated software allows you to set curfews on items, and sends you instant notifications if employees are late returning them to site. It also allows employees, like police officers or property agents, to transfer ownership of keys to each other in the field.

10. Use data to identify training needs

Everyone in the workforce has a responsibility to protect sensitive assets. That is why it is vital to have a robust training program on workplace security. 

Intelligent key cabinet software can offer detailed data, such as highlighting multiple incorrect password attempts, which can be used to identify gaps in workplace security culture. 

The role of technology in sensitive asset management 

Technology is transforming sensitive asset management.

Many industries face increased demand to deliver new products quickly, offering greater convenience to customers. Markets are ever evolving, and with the rise of technology, combined with the explosive growth in social media, it can be a tricky path to navigate. 

To stay ahead of the game, organizations must respond quickly to these changes while still complying with regulations and keeping employees and customers safe. 

Technological advances can help plug gaps in manpower and eliminate human error to provide the extra protections that sensitive assets need.

Many industries are automating their processes to help save time and money in the long term. These smart systems can predict risks, rather than simply respond to them, and can therefore optimize themselves. They also produce detailed audit trails to help business owners and agency leaders identify weaknesses in their processes. 

Our TrakaWEB software can provide data that highlights risky patterns of worker behavior so that you can nip it in the bud before it becomes problematic. All of this can help create a happy team and happy customers.

Don’t pay the price of complacency 

Losing sensitive assets can be incredibly costly.

They can relate to numerous areas of a person's life, including health, religion, race, finances, and public safety. This means the devastation of loss can be wide-reaching, affecting not only people's bank accounts but their physical, emotional, and social well-being, too.

Because they are so important to people's lives, sensitive assets require special protection beyond the capabilities of a bog-standard system. They need careful and highly considered management, which must be continually reviewed as demands on industries change.

Industries that regularly deal with sensitive assets and require strong management include law enforcement, military and government agencies, education and healthcare, customer-facing businesses, and property sales and rental agents.

Traka can help you create a powerful system to manage your sensitive assets, from planning to installing.

For help and information, or to talk to our team about Traka solutions and implementation, please get in touch.