It used to be that physical, operational and cyber security were managed in isolation. However, criminals, activists and competitors don’t think that way and are becoming more sophisticated. They will use any vulnerability to gain access to your premises. There are plenty of examples that by breaking through your access control, criminals gain access into your premises and then directly tamper with your servers or operational systems. This means your IT and Operations need to be thinking about a complete security solution.

While traditionally security is about protecting the perimeter, a significant number of breaches are occurring due to internal threats. A disgruntled employee or a contractor that has not been fully vetted are already inside your organisation and present a real threat.

DO THESE INSIGHTS REFLECT YOUR ORGANISATION’S EXPERIENCE?

In the past security was like rugby – you had a clear defensive line (a perimeter) that you defended with fences, access control and security officers (physical security) and firewalls (cyber). As technology rapidly advances many things from pace makers and power stations are being connected to the internet and governed by software that is vulnerable to crooks and terrorists. The defensive line – the perimeter is now more like an interconnected web – more like an AFL team with no clear attack and defence – everyone is a perimeter!

As people, businesses and communities become more dependent on technology, the risks will rise. “Converged” crime is the phrase that’s been widely used to describe exploitation of web (cyber) vulnerabilities to commit physical crimes. Indeed we are also seeing examples where physical crimes are being committed to enable a large scale cyber-crime – it cuts both ways.

Handing IT (information technology) and OT (Operational Technology) / Physical Security separately is like two teams building a bridge from both sides hoping that they will meet in the middle. Companies end up living with the failure and are exposed to huge operational and security risks. In this picture the problem is obvious – in real life however these vulnerabilities (the gap) are often harder to spot.

Criminals, activists and terrorists deploy resources – on a large scale – looking for these gaps in organisation’s security. They look for ways to use cyber to penetrate – a really simple example could be hacking into a company’s computer system to turn off the alarm system or disable the CCTV so they can then commit a burglary.

UNIFIED SOLUTIONS, POWERFUL RESULTS

It’s important that your physical and informational security methods, procedures and safeguards are not designed in isolation. This can leave you open to vulnerabilities, and it is sensible to build them together as a unified, integrated and powerful security solution. Doing so provides you with:

THERE ARE SOLUTIONS TO THIS NEW CHALLENGE

Southern Cross Protection is working with leading companies around the world to address the changes occurring in modern security. There are solutions that work with your existing legacy systems that bring together physical, operational and IT security. Bringing the three parts together, combined with artificial intelligence, delivers a new way to prevent and protect your business. Internal threats can be managed through an integrated solution that manages the risks to ensure the business is protected at all times.

Where it is

Who has access to it

Who is watching it

Your ability to respond to an incident

SPEAK TO AN EXPERT

It is important you think about how your organisation can benefit from a security solution that develops your traditional and informational security systems into a coherent security solution. To discuss how security convergence can complement and reinforce your business, call us on 0477779776 or enquire online.