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Emerging Trends in Physical Security

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Emerging Trends in Physical Security

Contemporary physical security is concerned with traditional security roles, assets protection, and loss prevention. All services are offered concurrent such that it cannot be cleared understood by a lay person. Emerging trends have kept the industry evolving rapidly. Traditional security refers to routine tasks that involve control of access to premises through checks, credentials authentication and authorization. Asset protection means that it has responsibility to ensure that organization’s physical assets (on-premise or on-transit) are not stolen, tampered with or damaged. Finally, loss prevention function of security demands that whatever should constitute risk with potential for loss must be prevented by security. Overtime physical security has been influenced by modern factors and realities of new world. Since 9/11/2001 terror attack on US, the perception and appreciation of security in general has been experiencing radical change. The service side is now a necessary evil. To some others it is a cost centre, yet to the conscious organization it is seen as business enabler that must be recognized and supported. This article highlights the developing and emerging trends that have kept security services on its toes. To remain relevant and command budget allocation, security must go with the tide of modernity. Below are the emerging trends in physical security. Sophisticated threat landscape: risk, threat and vulnerability are key components that is driving security service delivery. The goals are to ensure risks are strategically managed by proactive identification of threats and prompt resolutions for vulnerabilities. The threat model is increasingly evolving, threat actors have become sophisticated in knowledge, tools and collaboration. Automated Access Control System: many organizations are abandoning traditional manual access control for digitalized and automated type. This approach may adopt fingerprint, facial recognition, biometric, voice command, etc. Security Operations Centre: most businesses are currently either transforming their traditional CCTV control room to Security Operations Centre (SOC) or building new infrastructure. The centre serves as central hub for security operations. The core focus of SOC oftentimes includes Visual Surveillance System (VSS), Access Control System (ACS), and Intrusion Detection System (IDS). Security Operations Centre optimizes security service delivery for efficiency and agility where prompt response by a support Quick Response Force – QRF is the rule of thumb. Automation Of Operations: with dominance of artificial intelligence, some routine functions of security are being replaced with automated process. Such automation may include Visitor Management System (VMS), Electronic Patrol Management System (EPMS), Incident Management System (IMS), etc. This automation enables standardization, consistency and efficiency. Security Convergence: the gap between physical and cyber security is increasingly getting blurred. This novel approach enabled many organizations to integrate information technology solutions into physical security operations. For example, a facility may have physical deployment of guards at gate posts for physical security screening and digital boom barriers to compliment, at same time have a biometric access control at various access point in the buildings and restricted areas. All operations would be monitored real-time from a security operations centre. Data Analytics: physical security is traditionally not a data-driven filed however, current trend is favoring practitioners and service takers who are able to generate data that provide insights for informed decisions. Hybrid workforce: combining outsourced and proprietary security personnel to form a team with different background have become the norm in the industry. Hybrid work schedule: some middle level and executive security personnel have adopted a flexible work pattern of having some days at work and some days at home within the week. CPE & certifications: continuing professional education and certifications have become pillars of relevance and career growth for most security practitioners who are strategic about career success. Regulations and compliance: new regulations have been established to control and coordinate practices and actions in security industry. To avoid business disruptions and possible severe sanctions, organizations are duty bound to adhere and comply. Networking and collaboration: security practitioners, entrepreneurs, developers/technologists, etc. are appreciating the need to come together for mutual assistance and industry advancement. Networking and collaboration have form significant reference for stakeholders. Further to this, several organizations, institutes and interest groups have provided platforms for wiling players. In conclusion, physical security industry has established its value as a go-to business enabler. Several factors as highlighted above are playing key roles to keep it thriving in line with demands of modern business world. ALSO READ: 16 Trending Physical Security Threats Every Corporate Organization should Prepare to Deal with

13 Benefits Of CCTV To Your Organization

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13 Benefits Of CCTV To Your Organization

CCTV surveillance system has proven to be a high value tool for safety and security as well as productivity; whether it is deployed to personal, public or industrial settings. Twenty-first century security and safety has come to depend strongly on this technology as a reliable complement to other resources. The acronym CCTV, means Closed-Circuit Television. Its origin dates back to early 1940s when it was used to observe the launch of V-2 rockets (aggregate 4) at Peenemunde Army Research Centre in a suburb of Germany by a notable German engineer Walter Bruch who was credited as the inventor. It is an integrated system that uses Network Video Recorder or Digital Video Recorder, cameras, desktop computers, monitors/video walls, joy stick, mouse and other devices to capture, record/store and broadcast live footage of activities within its coverage. Today, there are about one billion installed CCTV system all over the world. China 200 million, US 59 million, German 52 million, UK and Japan with 5 million each are the top five countries with highest number of deployments.  And the list is growing and evolving. The system has many domestic and industrial uses; its importance and acceptance are growing so fast by the day. On the field operation, the system is used to watch and monitor activities of all persons working within a facility. It is highly essential for deterrence and detection of crime as well as compliance to regulatory requirement amongst others. For your organization to reap full benefits of this surveillance system it is recommended that it must be fully optimized and functional, it should be operated and managed by competent personnel, and it must comply to privacy laws of the country of its operation. One significant subject of regulatory compliance to deployment of CCTV is “public warning”. This is a deliberate attempt to inform the public that CCTV is in operation 24/7 at the location; and that it is been used strictly for purpose of safety and security. If your organization is still asking what it stand to gain from deploying CCTV, or yet to specifically identify and place metrics and key performance indicators on its CCTV resources see below highlights of return on investment from this tool. 13 benefits of CCTV surveillance system to your organization: Enhance general perception of safety and security: the presence of CCTV surveillance in a location would generally enhance public view of safety and security in such area. Magically though; even when these resources are not fully optimized and utilized, this perception will hold water until proven otherwise by incidents related safety and security. Prevent crime: light-hearted or impulse criminals would think twice about committing any sort of crime in the presence of a visible CCTV camera.  It is only a determined attacker who can dare this surveillance to carry out criminal act regardless. Detect criminal: when a crime is committed in the presence of optimized and functional CCTV camera whether visible or hidden; the actor and the act will be captured, recorded and stored by the system. Gather evidence: when a crime is committed in the presence of optimized and functional camera the actor and the act will be captured, recorded and stored by CCTV and the footage will be presented as evidence of such crime during post incident investigation. This will enable Management to take informed decision in line with its policy and standard. Minimize security and safety incident: with presence of fully optimized CCTV surveillance system in a location, the occurrence of security and safety breach will decrease significantly. Minimize cost of security: deployment of CCTV surveillance will save your organization huge fortune comparatively to deploying physical man-guard. 24/7 coverage of locations, capability and reliability can always beat human who would be vulnerable to visibility limitation, exhaustion, fatigue and other factors. Reduce insurance premium: deploying CCTV surveillance in your facility will help lower insurance premiums by reducing the risk of theft, fire, workplace violence, vandalism and other risks. Boost productivity: when employees and others knew they are being monitored through a surveillance or any other digital device, they would most likely mind their business to meet their target. Although, this is a side perk however; it is a function to be credited to CCTV where it applied. Compliance to regulation: some industry regulations have it as mandatory requirement to deploy CCTV surveillance to complement other security and safety resources. While some organization by default deploy this resource just to check out this requirement, others deploy them to maximize the potentials. The latter is a better option – so go for it. Monitor traffic: in a heavy traffic industrial location, CCTV can assist to monitor the flow and ensure it is complying to set standard and use same to promptly respond to incident accordingly. Monitor various retail settings: in the mall, store, warehouse, gym, hotel, restaurant, event hall, etc. CCTV camera can be used to monitor not just safety and security but other human behavior or mannerism that may serve as clue to a developing or active crime incident. With this, prompt response can be activated. Make informed decision: CCTV system analytics (especially post incident) can be used to decide which safety or security concern should be addressed in ways unique to its occurrence. The system can also provide insight to corporate operational risk and its prioritization. Provide employment: CCTV system creates employment to technologists, engineers, researchers, teachers, sales/procurement practitioners, policy makers, managers, operators and others who are important players in the system value chain. In summary, the need to create and sustain a safe and secure business community has place daunting demands on business owners and managers to ensure this obligation is met. Deployment of CCTV surveillance is one sure way to attain this. Organizations who appreciate and deploy fully optimized system shall have various benefits as highlighted above as return on investment. ALSO READ: Five Sources of Workplace Violence and How To Prepare For Its Prevention and Response