One of the hottest new phrases in the security world is “converged security.” This set Bob Forsyth, Mitie, to pondering whether we really understand where these latest developments might take us as an industry.
What is clear is that converged security is driving cost savings by being able to fully integrate all of the platforms for voice, data, AV, security, and building management systems over the same network while also driving a modern working environment.
The term “convergence” is being used to cover a number of areas that cut across the traditionally separate areas of facilities management, IT, and security.
Security convergence covers the uniting of IT security and physical security under one umbrella, bringing significant benefits to the overall security of an organization as it harnesses the synergies that exist between the two areas.
It doesn’t necessarily mean having one department responsible for organizational security. What it does mean is formal cooperation between the two areas with one common goal of protecting the organization’s assets.
In security terms, convergence is the integration of logical security, information security, physical and personnel security, business continuity, disaster recovery, and safety risk management.
Logical security focuses on the tools in a network computing environment. Information security focuses on the flow of information across both the logical and physical environments.
Integrating these different areas in a conjoined approach contributes to the overall corporate security goals while driving cost efficiencies through the greater use of shared platforms. It brings together disparate teams of individuals to focus on effective security that protects all of the organization’s assets. Without this approach the silo mentality meant that there were weaknesses in an organization’s defense that could be easily exploited by individuals intent on causing harm.
On a broader front, convergence relates to the merging of the various technologies that are used in modern buildings.
This convergence is offering building owners major opportunity for cost efficiencies and, more importantly, the opportunity to gain benefit through the convergence of technology to deliver more “intelligent” buildings.
The continued development of smart buildings will further break down the divides between security, safety, and building automation technologies in relation to comfort, energy efficiency, life safety, and emergency response.
Another acronym that is gaining ground currently is PSIM, standing for Physical Security Information Management.
PSIM collects and correlates events from existing disparate security devices and information systems (video, access control, PIDS and IDS, analytics, networks, building systems, etc.) to allow personnel to identify and proactively resolve difficulties.
PSIM integration enables numerous organizational benefits, including increased control, improved situational awareness, and management reporting. Ultimately, these solutions allow organizations to reduce costs through improved efficiency and to improve security through increased intelligence.
One of the greatest benefits of PSIM, if established correctly, is that it solely presents information that needs to be acted on. Thus security personnel can focus on the job in hand and manage a situation, rather than actively monitor an array of information sources to determine if something is or isn’t a problem.
Perhaps the greatest challenge as convergence develops as a concept is ensuring that the end goal is always kept in sight and delivered.
It is very easy to get caught up in the glamor of developing technology and forget what is ultimately required: the protection of the organization’s assets. This is why a converged security approach is critical to ensure that the various technologies, processes, and systems all marry up and deliver effective security.