Security Partnerships Are the Key to Fighting Cyber Threats

Oftentimes, collaboration is the best answer to responding to threats facing you, your company, your physical security, and data.

That’s what Martyn Ryder, VP of Sales & Marketing at Morphean, explains in a recent piece  for IFSEC Global.

He writes that during an era where security systems revolve around Internet networks, ever-complex systems, and cloud-based data, trusted partnerships between different security sectors — both cyber and physical security experts — are necessary to keep your business protected.

In his article, Ryder states that, traditionally, the cyber and physical security worlds have been kept separate.

Physical security experts have often been focused on the installation of devices like CCTV cameras, while cybersecurity professionals center on shoring up network systems and software protections.

The demands of a ‘digital transformation’

From his perspective, Ryder sees that a “digital transformation” that has taken place over the past decade has seen both industries evolve, “while simultaneously drawing [them] much closer together.” Rather than seeing the demands placed on them independent of one another, they are oftentimes one and the same. Bad actors target both physical and cyber assets in multi-pronged attacks.

In order to provide the best defenses to their assets, businesses need to “move away from security siloes,” Ryder declares. Cloud and IoT innovations have meant that data sharing has evolved to the extent that “analogue security technologies are rapidly becoming obsolete.”

As a result, it means companies need to embrace “connected physical security solutions” that are capable of “sharing data to improve security and enhance business operations.”

This means you need to have the right security protocols enforced.

You can’t just suddenly embrace these connected approaches without making sure everyone connected through the firm’s network is staying safe. To achieve this, both cybersecurity and physical security staff need to be in constant dialogue, working together as a team.

Being better prepared for this ‘new era’

Ryder also points out another risk posed by this cloud-connected world. Not all physical security professionals are ready for this “new era.”

“Connecting physical security to the cloud has countless security and intelligence benefits for the end-user. But those physical security installers who do not understand the language of IT or fully grasp the benefits of cloud physical security solutions will be unable to pass these benefits to their customers, resulting in a smaller pool of low-scale projects,” Ryder says. “In order to remain competitive, physical security specialists must begin arming themselves with knowledge of network connectivity, data collection and the power of analytics.”

Ryder’s final salient recommendation centers on “Zero Trust,” or the framework that security officials at any firm must “give no implicit trust.” In other words, companies must ensure access to networks are only be granted to vetted individuals.

Additionally, you should only grant access to “areas of the network as and when they are needed” — you can’t just indiscriminately give anyone free rein to use your networks.

“As physical and IT security increasingly converge, security professionals should be looking to align themselves with vendors through trusted partnerships. This will help them to expand their capabilities and take their skillsets to the next level,” Ryder concludes.