Physical Access Control and Video Security Systems
Some people consider physical security and cybersecurity to be separate realms. That may have been the case a few decades ago, but these days, the lines between the two concepts have blurred to the point that the distinctions are almost irrelevant. Software solutions targeting physical security vulnerabilities can pose cybersecurity threats if every integrated component is not secured, and cybercriminals are discovering new ways to use illegal network access to gain entry to buildings all the time.
Businesses that are still relying on legacy access control and video security systems cobbled together to form a software solution are leaving themselves vulnerable to both physical and virtual attacks. Upgrading to a unified system that combines all of the features required to secure the premises into the same highly secure platform removes those vulnerabilities. Read on to find out how.
Reduced Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities
Modern access control and video surveillance software and hardware is designed with impressive safeguards in place to protect network security. The same can’t be said of legacy hardware and software programs, which can’t always be updated to reflect the most recent advancements in data security.
Continuing to use legacy components in a modern, network-connected system can create easy access points for cybercriminals who can then gain unauthorized access to both physical and virtual infrastructure. Switching to a fully unified system eliminates this potential vulnerability.
Improved Response Times
Many software solutions boast impressive integration capabilities, but the reality is that they rarely allow sufficient information to be shared between systems to prevent the need for training operators across multiple platforms. Even once new security staff has undergone the extensive training required to use multiple integrated systems, the time required to switch between them exposes critical physical and virtual infrastructure to increased risks. Switching to a unified system improves a security team’s response times by eliminating the need for jumping between programs to access different kinds of information.
Easier System Maintenance
Having just one security system in place instead of many cobbled-together software solutions makes it easier for the IT team to keep everything up-to-date. Unified security systems can also be set to perform automated checks and provide device status reports that offer opportunities for enhancing a company’s update and upgrade schedules. Simplifying system maintenance reduces the chances that critical updates and security patches will go unnoticed.
More Time to Focus on Core Functions
Security teams that are constantly struggling to keep up with learning new systems, tracking data across different platforms, and identifying threats without access to a full picture of the company’s physical and virtual security protocols will never be able to work efficiently. Upgrading to a unified system that eliminates redundancies, streamlines workflows, and reduces training time for new employees gives security personnel more time to focus on their core functions.
Lower Risk, Greater Reward
Switching to a unified security system will require an initial investment, but the returns will quickly eclipse the financial costs of making the upgrade. The security team will be able to work more efficiently, as unified security software naturally eliminates many of the risks that would otherwise consume their time, and operator training will become much easier. Even if a worst-case scenario never comes up, the new system will still pay for itself over time.
