Future-proof Physical Security Professionals

During the security knowledge summit held at Bangalore in India last month, one of the security managers told me, “Sanjeev, the exponential growth of disruptive technologies and cyber security incidents is making me uncomfortable; I am concerned about my employability.” Then he casually asked me “Are we going to survive in the future?” This has been the hot topic of discussion in most of the security forums. We discussed the issue for some time, and it set me thinking.

All of us are on the cusp of a “digital tsunami”, and not all of us are aware or willing to accept the implications of this tsunami on us. No sector will be immune to the effects of the digital tsunami. We are creating digital foot print everywhere and generating 2.5 quintillion bytes of data every day (1 quintillion is equivalent to 1 followed by 18 zeroes bytes of data). With IOT, we will have 50 billion connected devices by 2020. This is leading to a paradigm shift in the security threat landscape with the advent of Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data coupled with exponential technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Synthetic Biology. Security challenges are rising manifold and any well-balanced security professional should be anxious if not worried by these challenges.

This radical transformation is creating new threat vectors and enhancing the security challenges for all the stakeholders across the industry. Besides this, insider threat along with radicalization is further adding fuel to the fire. The fine line between physical security and cyber security is blurring at a supersonic speed. Cyber security threats manifesting into physical security consequences and physical security vulnerabilities resulting into cyber security incidents is the norm of the day. Recent attack on the President of Venezuela using drone is a classic example of this emerging trend. 

This new breed of “hybrid threats” which is a combination of the physical & cyber security threats, requires new skills and domain expertise to identify, assess and mitigate these threats. Limiting ourselves to managing traditional threats in the current times will be suicidal. This mind-set is not only a disservice to ourselves but also a disservice to our organisations. We need to quickly re-examine our beliefs and assumptions and craft our strategy of dealing with these new threat vectors to help ourselves and our organisation.  

Managing physical security has become increasingly challenging as technology has increased the complexity and more vulnerabilities are exposed. USB hard drives, laptops, tablets and smartphones allow for information to be lost or stolen because of portability and mobile access. Now we need to be more concerned with “physical theft of devices and equipment”. Mobile devices including cell phones, laptops, and hard drives are easily portable, thus making them more susceptible to theft. Incidents of downloading sensitive data by connecting an external hard drive or flash drive to an unsecured computer or theft/ damage of hardware are being reported regularly. So, the physical security cannot be bestowed post deployment of all the virtual online security countermeasures because IT Security professionals’ expertise need to be supplemented by physical security experts to ensure holistic approach to this complex issue. 

Varied businesses have begun collaborating for their own existence and growth. For example the Indian postal department is now partnering with e-commerce players like flip kart and Naaptol to remain in business. Barclays bank has offered the use of its branches to Amazon to increase footfall. Fiat Chrysler automobiles is helping apple to make cars. They are collaborating to play on each other’s strengths to survive and grow, rather than perish alone. 

Similarly, today’s security scenarios demands collaboration amongst all the stakeholders of security industry. We have to join hands with the sole purpose of up skilling ourselves to deal with this new threat landscape. Together, we can and we will win the war against all the existing and emerging security challenges. As a Chief Security Officer for a global organization, I know first-hand the importance of being connected to a network of peers. Join professional forums like peer groups, real/ virtual social communities which provides exceptional opportunities to network, collaborate, and explore leadership strategies for success. Attend networking events to expand your network and to help shape the future of the security industry.

Learning more about the digital and cyber threats and it’s working will prepare us to face adversities effectively. We need to up skill ourselves continuously by using as many learning resources as available to us. The learning industry has never been so accessible for all. Today free or paid on line courses by the best global universities are available at our fingertips. One might even consider a study sabbatical to upgrade and up-skill oneself. Expanding our horizons is not an option but the only route to survival and growth.

Every challenge is an opportunity in disguise. The changing paradigms of security and the blurring out of lines between the digital and the physical security is a definite opportunity for all of us in the security profession. Let’s embark on this exciting journey of learning and growing together.

#securityprofessionals #futureproofing #RelianceGCS #sanjeevmishra #captsmishra #rgcs #GCSconnect #securityskilling

About the Author:

Sanjeev Mishra is currently the ‘Senior Vice President’ of the Global Corporate Security (RGCS) at Reliance Industries Limited (RIL). With a distinguished professional career spanning over 28 years, Sanjeev is a ‘Certified Protection Professional’ (CPP), accredited by the American Society of Industrial Security (ASIS), and an IRCA certified Lead Auditor for ISO 9002. Prior to joining RIL, Sanjeev worked with Nomura Holdings as the ‘Regional Security Manager – India & Middle East’ and with Lehman Brothers as the ‘Country Security Manager - India’. Preceding to his corporate career, Sanjeev has served in the Indian Army. He is the current chairman of ASIS Mumbai Chapter and past president of Agnel Toastmasters Club, Navi Mumbai. Sanjeev was conferred the prestigious “Chief Security Officer of the Year -2016” award for his contribution to the Security fraternity in India by SECONA, India's independent security consultant association.

Email: [email protected]; Twitter: @captsmishra