Edition 12 - Worrying about your security systems, what keeps you awake.
Peter Houlis BA(Hons) CSyP, FSyl, CTSP
Chartered Security Professional ★ Award Winning Security System Designer ★ Top 10 Security Influencer and Thought Leader
Welcome to edition 12 of Security Thoughts on Thursday.
I hope ?you find another brief weekly read on contemporary physical security issues interesting and thought provoking. If you do please feel free to share them with your colleagues and connections.
?Worrying about your security systems what keeps you awake?
In my many years as an award-winning integrator, I've witnessed the fast-evolving world of physical and electronic security. I believe that video surveillance, access control, and intruder detection systems are crucial part of guarding assets and ensuring operational resilience. However, like any technology, they come with challenges that can leave security-minded business leaders and risk management professionals sleepless nights.
Here are ten common concerns to consider and how a skilled technical security specialist can help you mitigate these risks.?
Once standalone physical security systems are now interconnected and networked, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks. Hackers can infiltrate your video surveillance or access control systems, steal footage, or even manipulate system behaviour. Are you confident that your network is resilient enough to withstand increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, such as ransomware attacks or advanced persistent threats??
2.????? Outdated Firmware and Software
Like any other technological system, security systems need regular updates to stay secure. Doubtless, failing to update firmware or software leaves systems vulnerable to exploitation, especially when manufacturers stop supporting older versions. Have you assessed whether your security infrastructure is still receiving critical updates?
3.????? Poor Integration Between Systems
Modern security systems often involve multiple components, including video surveillance, access control, intrusion detection and IP network communications. If these elements are poorly integrated, critical events slip through the cracks, and important data may not be shared efficiently across platforms. How can your organisation respond swiftly to threats if your systems don't communicate effectively??
4.????? False Alarms and Sensitivity Issues
A poorly designed or incorrectly configured intruder detection system, or motion detectors that are improperly located or too sensitive, can trigger false alarms, wasting resources and reducing confidence in the system's reliability. Are you desensitising your response teams with an overload of false alarms?
5.????? Insufficient Coverage in Critical Areas
Video surveillance systems that miss blind spots or critical areas due to low-image-quality cameras, poor placement of cameras, insufficient field-of-view, or inadequate lighting can lead to security breaches. Many organisations are unaware of these gaps until an incident occurs. How confident are you that your current surveillance system covers all critical areas of your facility??
6.????? Inadequate Access Control Protocols
Organisations often need to pay more attention to the human factor in access control, such as poor data hygiene, weak authentication methods or outdated access credentials for ex-employees. These issues create significant vulnerabilities. How confident are you that only authorised individuals have access to critical areas?
7.????? Lack of Real-Time Monitoring and Incident Response
Without real-time monitoring, potential threats may go unnoticed until it's too late. Automated systems are essential, but human oversight is necessary to ensure swift response to critical incidents. Can your organisation respond to security incidents instantly, or are you reacting only after damage has occurred?
8.????? Privacy Concerns and Regulatory Compliance
Surveillance systems, especially those that record in sensitive areas, can create privacy concerns for employees and customers. Mismanaging video footage or access logs can also violate data protection laws. Are you sure your security systems balance security and privacy correctly?
?9.????? System Downtime and Power Failures
A security system is only effective when operational. Power outages or system malfunctions can render your security infrastructure useless, leaving you vulnerable during critical moments. Do you have contingency plans for when your security system goes offline??
10. Scalability and Future-Proofing
As businesses grow and security needs evolve, systems not designed with scalability in mind can become obsolete or too expensive to upgrade. Future-proofing security infrastructure is a significant concern for risk managers. Is your security infrastructure future-proof, or will it require costly overhauls when your needs evolve?
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?The Value of Technical Security Expertise
Engaging a technical security specialist isn't just about fixing problems — it's about proactive risk management. To find out more about selecting a security system specialist check out edition 7 Choosing the Ideal Electronic Security System(s): A Brief Guide.
Here are ten ways a security specialist can add value and help alleviate the above concerns:
A suitable qualified technical security specialist can perform penetration testing and vulnerability assessments to identify and patch weaknesses. This proactive approach gives you a sense of control and empowerment, knowing you're actively safeguarding your systems against potential threats.
2.????? Firmware and Software
By establishing a proactive update schedule, a security specialist ensures your systems run on the latest firmware, addressing bugs and vulnerabilities and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. This ensures your systems are up-to-date and secure, providing you with security and peace of mind.
3.????? Integrate Between Systems
A security specialist can integrate disparate systems into a centralised platform, enabling seamless communication between components. A scalable and future-proof security system can adapt to the organisation's changing needs without requiring a complete overhaul, saving costs and ensuring long-term security. This integration improves response times and enhances situational awareness.
4.????? False Alarms
Experts can provide the correct system design and fine-tune detection systems, balancing sensitivity and precision. Implementing intelligent algorithms reduces false alarms and ensures the system responds appropriately to real threats.?
5.????? Coverage in Critical Areas
A thorough site assessment by a systems specialist ensures optimal system design and placement of cameras and sensors. They use training, experience and advanced tools to identify potential dead zones and recommend appropriate camera types (e.g., wide-angle, PTZ) for comprehensive coverage.
6.????? Access Control Protocols
Security specialist can implement robust access control measures, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) or biometric systems. Additionally, they can help set up processes for regularly reviewing and updating access rights, routine cleansing of the data base and keeping access tightly controlled.?
7.????? Monitoring and Incident Response
Security Specialists design systems that combine real-time monitoring with automated alerts. They also assist in setting up security operation centres (SOCs) for continuous oversight, ensuring rapid response to incidents.
8.????? Privacy and Regulatory Compliance
Security specialists ensure compliance with relevant regulations, such as GDPR or CCPA, by advising on data management strategies and implementing proper policies and procedures, data retention policies and privacy filters. They also advise on positioning cameras to respect privacy while maintaining security.
9.????? System Downtime
Experts recommend installing backup power solutions, such as UPS (uninterruptible power supplies) and redundant systems. This ensures that security systems continue functioning even during power outages or technical failures.?
10. Scalability and Future-Proofing
A technical security specialist designs scalable security systems that can grow with your business, ensuring longevity and cost-effectiveness. They evaluate current needs while planning for future growth, recommending scalable solutions and technologies with modular capabilities that allow seamless expansion without overhauling the entire system.
Conclusion
Security systems are vital to protecting your organisation but require diligent oversight and management to operate effectively. Are you confident that your current infrastructure is genuinely secure, or have you overlooked vulnerabilities? Partnering with a technical security specialist can help you mitigate risks, optimise system performance, and ensure that your security infrastructure remains robust in the face of evolving threats. Remember, engaging a technical security specialist isn't just about fixing problems- it's about proactive risk management. Stay proactive, and don't let these concerns keep you awake at night!
?Note: The Security Thoughts on Thursday articles are intended to stimulate free thinking and should not be considered consultancy or definitive advice.
Please share your experiences and insights in the comments below. What keeps you awake at night and how do you manage your security system expectations?
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Chartered Security Professional ★ Award Winning Security System Designer ★ Top 10 Security Influencer and Thought Leader
3 周Thank you for sharing Michael much appreciated
Chartered Security Professional and Board Advisor
3 周Spot on and sounds simple enough but often the lack of cohesive integration with all elements is missing with assumptions that fixing the other bits is someone else’s business. #convergence
Thanks Peter Houlis BA(Hons) CSyP, FSyl, CTSP you're right to point out that the lines between each discipline are becoming blurry as we progress through the fourth industrial revolution into the 5th. Traditionally security works in silos, cyber, personnel, physical and technical (as in counter eavesdropping/TSCM), until we break down these silos and identify and capitalise on the interdependence between each discipline we will always be chasing our tail, as threat actors don't work in silos, they just use any attack vector or the convergence of vectors to achieve their goals. We therefore need conveged security mitigations. As Michael Hawkes points out the human factor is vital, and highlights the need for a socio-technical system. Keep up the good work, these are very much thought provoking and as I keep reminding people...you can't have cyber security without personnel, physical and technical security!
Senior Risk Consultancy, Rural Crime Consultancy, Physical Penetration Testing, Personal Safety & Situational Awareness Tier 1 Training. Kidnap & Ransom Consultant. Active Shooter/MTA specialist
3 周You left out the human factor because security systems are only as good as those either ironing or those that the systems are protecting. All to offer we see organisations spending thousands on security systems but absolutely nothing in getting a security culture embedded in the company.