Introduction
How easy is it for someone that does not belong in your office to simply walk in and take a seat? If they did, how long could they walk around, look at things, take items, before someone noticed and stopped them or even questioned them?
This type of crime is much more common than most people think. An intruder can potentially view financial cabinets, get into server rooms, see plans of operation, install listening devices, or simply steal equipment. If you are ever suspicious of someone wandering alone in your office, report it to your floor marshal. The following is a list of the most common methods of noticing possible intruders:
Unescorted
Many organizations
prevent people from walking into the inside of the office building by use of a gatekeeper, access cards, and most commonly an escort. Many offices require that a visitor must be escorted by an employee that is responsible for the visitor during their stay in the building. If you notice someone is unescorted but you do not recognize them or they do not have an employee/access card visible then stop and ask to see it. More organizations are adding this policy to their employee handbooks as a preventative measure for intruders.
Acting Out of Place
Any person that is not dressed like other employees (dressed down in an environment that is dressy, for example), or someone is taking pictures, snooping in off-limit areas, skittish in avoiding being seen, or begins to run at the first sign of interest from you. These are all signs that you may have an intruder. Report it to your
floor marshal immediately.
They Come In With The Smokers
Most organizations have solid measures in place to prevent intruders so the intruders get creative in their entry methods. A would-be trespasser will approach the smoking area in hopes of finding employees outside smoking. They will light up, engage in conversations, and as the employees return to work, they will enter the building with them.
Card Surfer/Piggy Backer
There are multiple names for this type of person but the description is the same. Someone who walks in with you when you swipe your access card/key code and enters without entering their own access control. Often times it is simple employee laziness, however, it is also a method for a trespasser to enter. Some intruders may carry big items so that their hands are full in hopes that an employee will open the door/access area for them.
Dumpster Diving
While not technically intruding on the inside of the office, this may be one of the more important items to report as a plethora of data is potentially in every dumpster and evil-doers/competitors/criminals will steal it. If you witness someone doing so, then report it. Furthermore, take care at your own desk to ensure sensitive materials are shredded properly.
Conclusion
Bottom line is if you think someone is out of place report it. You can report it to a manger, security guard or your
floor marshal. Even if you are wrong, it is better to be wrong 50 times and right the one time it counts.
