Integrate Your Company's Physical and Cyber Security for Better Results

Protecting your business in this modern world calls for diligence on multiple fronts. Physical security and digital security must work together to achieve a common goal: protection of your valuable assets.

So, how can you ensure that your physical protection is married to the right digital protection — and vice versa? Here are four best practices to do so.

Understand the Links

The first step to build the right security for all parts of your business is to understand how both physical and cyber security are linked. Both sides of the security coin can be a point of entry for wrongdoers, and both sides can be used against the other.

For instance, an internet-connected device (such as company tablets or technical equipment on Wi-Fi) may be a vulnerability into your computer system. A hacker could use this entry point to turn off physical cameras, door locks, or alarms. Likewise, an unsecured door or a courteous employee could allow a hacker to gain entry into the building, where they might plug directly into company computers and have free rein.

Create a Shared Team

You probably have different people (or different teams) in charge of physical safety and digital security. But to work best, integrate them all into a single overall security plan and design.

Create a security and safety team made up of members of both departments as well as at least one member of management. They should make shared decisions about which technology to use, how to implement it, guidelines and standards for use, and an approval process.

Shared work is vital. If, for example, you will implement a coded door lock, it must retain certain sensitive information. The IT part of your security team will work to protect that sensitive data to protect the company's liability, the employee's privacy, and the physical lock's effectiveness. Without either half of this team, your security can never be complete.

Test Both Systems

Test your defenses regularly.

Check physical security barriers — including doors, locks, and cameras — to ensure that they work properly and catch potential break-ins. Check employee behavior to ensure that everyone is doing their due diligence, such as being alert to tailgating through open doors or wearing badges when on site. And test cyber security by hiring a service to attempt to access your system through different routes.

Tests should be shared with the entire security team so complete fixes can be brainstormed. If a hacker, for instance, was able to physically access an outside internet cable with valuable data being exchanged, how can physical security be upgraded to cut off this weak point?

Educate Employees

Safety and security isn't just the responsibility of one or two people within your company. It only works when everyone is pulling together. One of the best ways to boost security on all levels is to make good use of your employees.

Start by educating employees about how physical and cyber security work together. Let them know your overall company goals regarding security. And invite them to participate openly and honestly in positive changes. The more empowered your employees feel and the more involved they are, the better they will implement your security procedures.

Train relevant employees in how to properly use all the security features they'll encounter — including physical access control systems, checks and balances, password protection, safe internet practices, and use of mobile devices.

At Phoenix Access Control , we understand the security needs of today's businesses. We can help you design an overall protection system that blends protection from physical hazards and intrusions as well as those involving your digital life. Call today to speak with our security experts about what we can do for your company.