Top 2023 Technologies To Streamline Brick-And-Mortar Security Operations

88% of businesses now experience more physical security threats, rising since the end of the pandemic. You need to consider physical security technologies and innovations if you’re operating out of a brick-and-mortar establishment.

Keep reading as we discuss the top 2023 technologies to streamline brick-and-mortar operations. Here, you’ll learn about cloud-based physical security, integration, and cyber-physical security strategies.

          _{Photo by Shangyou Shi on  Unsplash}

Cloud-Based Video Surveillance And Access Control

Suppose you’re looking to streamline brick-and-mortar operations. In that case, you need a retail store security system that can prevent incidents involving stolen access credentials and that make  it easier to identify such incidents.

In an on-premise system, you host access control and video surveillance on disparate security platforms, making it difficult to compare and analyze data. If you needed to view access control logs alongside video feed information, you would have to correlate data using timestamps from different sources to confirm user identity and resolve a security investigation.

However, integrating access control and video surveillance in a cloud-based system allows you to view access control logs alongside video feed information. All the information you need to verify user identity is available on a single interface - making for a more user-friendly security experience.

You can always integrate facial recognition software to create an automated identity verification process at your building’s entrance. With cloud-based security, there are open API integrations that allow you to implement software integrations and enhance the function of your security investments.

With facial recognition software, you can eliminate the possibility of a user entering the property with stolen credentials - one of the most significant vulnerabilities in any entry system, such as access control turnstiles. Your system will verify users' identities with access credentials to enter the building.
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Coordinating Cyber And Physical Security Teams

Cloud-based security technologies make everyday security operations more convenient and create a basis for integration and enhancement. 

However, with cloud-based security technologies comes the need to reconsider your approach to cyber and physical security. Here’s why:

• Your cloud-based security information needs protection from a cyber standpoint.
• Your physical security is needed to protect server rooms and digital assets.
• Security threats might be both cyber and physical, needing a response from both teams.

To rethink your security strategy in line with the modern threat climate, you should consider coordinating cyber and physical security teams. With coordination between both security departments, you stand to gain the following benefits:

• Clarity of responsibility - since a cloud-based security system can blur the lines between cyber and physical security. By coordinating both teams, each team will have clarity regarding which tasks fall under their jurisdiction.

• Eliminating data silos - when both teams work separately, this could result in interdepartmental data silos, meaning each team will work without a complete set of information. By merging both teams, you can eliminate such data silos for more efficient security management.

• More comprehensive security - since most physical security threats will affect cybersecurity and vice versa, merging both teams will result in more comprehensive overall security and a security strategy better equipped to face the modern threat climate.

Consultation Tools

To coordinate cyber and physical security teams and to incorporate sales staff into security protocol briefings, businesses can implement TIMIFY. TIMIFY is an appointment booking tool that allows you to track your visitors better. 

Setting up available visitor time slots in the calendar allows you to manage the flow of people entering the building, while customizing the online booking form lets you gather any necessary information in advance.

This could be used to gather key information, such as an ID number or driving license, which can then be verified at the entrance to allow entry.

Building a database of visitor information over time means that repeat visitors won’t have to fill out the full form every time they attend, with their data pre-populated when they open the booking form.​​

When used in conjunction with the security systems mentioned elsewhere in the article, TIMIFY can bring security and efficiency to your building security, offering convenient slot booking to your visitors while relieving reception staff of recording details of every visitor on arrival.

Building the database ensures an easily accessible record of all planned and previous visitors, which can be a vital tool in case of any issues.
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Integrating Cybersecurity Policies Into Physical Security Hardware

Zero trust is a cybersecurity policy that reduces the impact of cybersecurity breaches originating from employee devices or accounts. In a zero-trust policy, users only gain access to the resources they need to carry out daily operations, also known as role-based permissions.

With role-based permissions, the trustworthiness of each user or device on the network is not assumed. Instead, users only gain permission to access a limited amount of data. So, if a user’s device is breached, only a limited amount of data will be compromised.

You can apply the same principle to your physical security. Just because a user can enter your premises does not mean they should be able to access your equipment, server rooms, and sensitive assets. 

Instead, the access control system can operate with role-based permissions. Only employees with high-level clearance can enter these sensitive areas, preventing an internal security breach with zero trust for physical security.
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Leverage Cloud-Based Data To Automate Security Operations

Cloud-based data can help you to automate security operations and streamline daily operations. For instance, if you integrated an automated workflow system with your security tools, you could speed up your incident response procedures and reduce manual tasks.

With automated workflow management, your security data will reveal triggers in your system requiring agile security response. When a trigger occurs, the workflow management system will automatically create workflows based on your incident response protocols and assign these workflows to an available team member.

With this system, a team member could manually enter workflows and assign them to a team member, which would be more time-consuming, less productive, and might slow down your security response.

          _{Photo by Jonas Leupe on Unsplash}

Summary

To upgrade security for your brick-and-mortar operations, you should turn to cloud-based technologies for more convenience. On-premise systems provide additional flexibility - and the open API integrations of cloud-based security help you to achieve better ROI on your security investments. Consider cloud-based technologies and the benefits of merging cyber and physical security for your brick-and-mortar operations.