The Physical Security Cybersecurity Consolidation
Considering physical security and cybersecurity to be independent of each other is probably a major loophole in the security system of any organization. In an increasingly interconnected world, the physical security of the assets of an organization is often overlooked but it is an equally important metric in the overall security of any firm.
If you combine Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) devices into one environment of cyber-physical systems (CPS), it increases the chances of cyberattacks. The lines between these physical “things” and online databases are blurring increasingly with increased connectivity between the two.
As with any technical innovation, connected IoT gadgets have become a common target for malicious agents looking to steal important data or even inflict serious property harm. More often than not, cyberattacks are increasingly caused due to an oversight in physical security.
Let us learn more about the cybersecurity and physical security convergence and consolidation ahead.
The Basics of Physical Security
Protecting human resources, property, sensitive data, and physical assets against the risk of physical threats is often referred to as physical security. The most common types of physical security investment include security cameras, warning signs, fences, and security lights, among others.
It might also include taking care of documents, papers, unattended computers, USB drives, and disks.
Physical security measures like network access, security staff, and video monitoring have traditionally been considered separate entities. Till now, little attention has been paid to how data and IT systems closely link with physical security. And it’s time we start looking at them as two interrelated parts of the security system as a whole.
Importance of Convergence of Physical Security and Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is crucial for every online system. Physical security protects cybersecurity by restricting who has access to data storage areas. And the opposite is true as well.
A good cybersecurity plan protects the important data that physical systems might contain. To ignite a cybersecurity attack, hackers frequently target physical security components connected to the internet, such as RFID key card door locks, cellphones, and video surveillance cameras.
Here are some of the reasons why you should try to weave physical and cybersecurity into one cohesive system:
1. Wholesome Security
Converging physical security and cybersecurity means the organization works with joint forces and has impeccable responses at all times. There are no information gaps that malicious agents might take advantage of with joint security forces.
Your security teams (IT and physical) can work together to protect any systems where sensitive information was collected while also warning employees about future Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams.
2. Better Crisis Management
Whether it’s a natural catastrophe, unauthorized access, or targeted assault, crisis management has become an organizational duty. When crises connect physical and digital domains, security convergence enables businesses to handle crisis consequences more comprehensively while preventing any risk oversight.
3. Cost-Saving Efficiency
Bringing together physical and cybersecurity teams results in enhanced efficiency, which may reduce workloads and provide the chance to shrink your team and thus lower expenses.
An organization may also save time and money spent on coordinating two independent departments by eliminating the need for meetings and reports. This frees up time for your security staff to focus on more important activities.
4. Improved Communication and Resource Pool
The security department has more power with the C-suite in integrated enterprises, resulting in improved security spending and priorities. In coverage security, there is only a single point of contact for all security issues, resolving communication failures and point-of-contact confusion.
How to Achieve Convergence of Physical Security and Cybersecurity?
So, we place a lot of importance on consolidating the forces of physical security and cybersecurity. But how does an organization achieve that? Here is a step-by-step to achieve that:
1. Building Comprehensive Security
Proficient internet solutions are meant to run across public networks. But systems built for physical installation might lack strong hardware security and secure data communication with the system server. This is potentially dangerous to the sensitive information and privacy of any organization.
Build cloud-integrated security systems such as cameras and gates where personally identifiable information (PII) can’t be misused by malicious agents.
2. Cybersecurity & Convergence Best Practices
Any organization must try that both its internal teams and physical security system providers follow cybersecurity best practices, such as two-factor authentication (2FA), least-privilege access models, data backup and storage policies, privacy policies, compulsory security training, dynamic system surveillance, access control, and threat detection among others.
3. Make Use of Applications
The finest suppliers provide round-the-clock monitoring on a network with a multi-layered security approach to provide tedium, business continuity, and risk management. You may risk security breaches and costly service outages if you do not have adequate assistance and constant monitoring with efficient applications.
4. Restructuring Security Teams
An organization must restructure security teams so that physical security and IT executives collaborate to ensure the correct technology is implemented and the systems are operational to optimize security throughout the enterprise.
Formalize cooperation to provide teams with a better means to communicate information from future systems and to apply those learnings holistically to improve both cybersecurity and physical security. And you must use data gathered from linked systems to provide a full view of the security posture throughout the enterprise.
Final Thoughts
Physical security systems should be seamlessly integrated with cybersecurity systems to up the security guards of any organization. This means apart from the access control systems, other physical security measures like network devices and data security should work together as one cohesive system (probably integrated via apps) in any organization.
Physical security operations should care more than just for documents, papers, unattended computers, USB drives, and disks, among others.
This way, the two teams can work as one to manage security threats by reducing costs and also increasing efficiency. This effectively results in more efficient security functions and better sensitive data protection. This is an era of joint cyber and physical assets!
