In taking stock of the current landscape of physical security, leaders in the field have recently been making the rounds. They’ve been outlining top concerns and spotlighting the innovations that should be on everyone’s radars.
This includes everything from the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) to an uptick in crime to the implementation of across-the-board standards to keep buildings and companies safe and secure.
A new survey shows the state of physical security in 2024
Recently, Pro-Vigil released its new report — “The State of Physical Security Entering 2024.”
The survey offers a clear-eyed snapshot of current gaps in physical security protocols that need to be filled, including responses from operations leaders in sectors like car dealerships, manufacturing, and construction, reports Facilities Management Advisor.
Here’s a look at some of the findings:
- 71% of businesses did not integrate AI into their physical security strategies.
- 23% of respondents don’t know ifthey are even using AI at their company.
- 57% aren’t sure if AI can be useful in fighting crime.
- 29% do believe AI can help in combatting crime.
- 72% report they “aren’t concerned about using AI.”
- 25% pointed to an escalation in physical security incidents in 2023.
- 26% said the rise of these physical security incidents “can be attributed to a rise in local crime.”
- 23% report that the current economic conditions are the cause of the increase in incidents.
- 32% report delays in their projects because of physical security incidents.
- 30% say these incidents damaged their assets.
- 55% are more worried about crime today than a year ago.
- 87% feel that these physical security incidents and threats “will increase or stay the same” over the course of this year.
- 27% state that these incidents and threats will increase in number and frequency in 2024.
How instituting new standards can combat physical security threats
Many industry leaders believe that instituting new, robust standards can help fortify their companies against these threats.
SecurityInformed.com‘s Larry Anderson spoke with a roundtable of experts. Here’s what they said:
Ryan Gregory, Director, Solutions & Services, at Axis Communications, pointed to the Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) standards as a new set of guidelines that “have enhanced visibility into software vulnerabilities and made physical security devices better defended than ever before.”
He pointed to the fact that this set of standards “provides the ability to review these software companies before even purchasing a network device.”
Adam Lowenstein, Director of Product Management at i-PRO, explained that the adoption of recent legislation in the U.S. resulted in “significant improvements in the development and interoperability of IP-based security solutions.” This enables different security devices from different manufacturers to work in tandem, giving physical security managers a unified approach to defending against threats.
Meanwhile, Marisa Randazzo, Executive Director of Ontic Technologies, told Anderson that workplace violence is one of the areas that security executives need to focus on the most this year. She pointed to the passage of legislation in California — Senate Bill 553 — which requires all companies to institute a workplace violence prevention set of standards.
This means companies across the state must maintain records of incidents and threats of workplace violence.
“The passing of this bill is a step in the right direction for corporate security and preventing workplace violence as it compels companies to keep track of their threat landscape and better protect their employees,” she said.
Last but not least, Daniel May, Director of Consort Architectural Hardware, offered a summation of why it’s important to have physical and cyber security standards across all departments at any given company.
“Where physical security systems implement measures and protocols to protect people, assets, and information, standards play a critical role in ensuring their effectiveness, reliability, and consistency,” he explained.
Peter Cavicchia II 