Businesses' physical and digital needs are often siloed, but both are integral to long-term success. This is especially pertinent for security—with both sectors growing rapidly.
Physical security alone is expected to balloon to a $211 billion market value by 2030, and IT and cybersecurity now require their own departments to ensure sensitive data remains protected.
Many forward-thinking companies are realizing the importance of combining physical security with IT security. Integrating these two crucial domains is essential for businesses that want a stronger, more comprehensive security framework.
To protect your assets, data, people, and bottom line, consider the benefits of bridging digital and physical security—and learn a few strategies to begin the process.
What is Integrated Security?
Traditionally, physical security focused on tangible assets and physical spaces. Security tools like access control systems, video surveillance, and professional security guards have long been industry standards for safeguarding physical property. But when information technology (IT) enters the picture, security measures must also cover digital assets such as firewalls, encryptions, documents, data, and company networks.
Integrated security tackles both.
Integrated security creates more cohesive measures to protect every corner of the organization, taking action to address all the threats of modern business operations. When set up properly, this unified approach mitigates security risks and enables a stronger response in case of a breach.
The Role of Physical Security in Digital Operations
When it comes to digital protection, cybersecurity often dominates the corporate discussion. This is for good reason—companies must protect sensitive information such as system logins, client records, legal reports, and financial records. However, the physical aspect of digital security must not be overlooked if you want to protect IT assets at every angle.
For instance, physical and digital security incidents could occur when:
- Unauthorized individuals gain access to private data centers, potentially compromising servers or networks employees rely on.
- Laptops that contain sensitive company information are stolen from an employee’s desk, car, or home.
- “Bad actors” place physical devices on company Ethernet ports to track private data and use it for malicious intent.
Physical security breaches can have major consequences on IT within an organization. Integrating physical and digital measures safeguards both, creating a stronger level of protection.
Benefits of Integrating Physical Security With IT
Immediately detecting and responding to threats is critical for your organization’s safety and security protocols. When physical and IT systems are integrated properly, companies achieve instant detection and faster response time. For example, if an unfamiliar badge is swiped at an entry point to the building, the system can trigger a heightened network monitoring setting to prepare for a security breach.
Even the U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency recommends physical security measures to protect digital information. This includes implementing security controls around the building, locking away devices containing sensitive data, and planning to dispose of old or broken devices.
Let’s look at some of the most significant benefits of integrating physical and digital protection.
Centralized Management
Security integration results in a centralized management solution for all monitoring systems. Instead of keeping track of multiple security control panels and alarm systems, this unifies the system so both physical security and IT teams can collaborate on a single platform.
Real-Time Incident Response
Comprehensive security systems equip companies to carry out faster, better-coordinated responses to threats and incidents. Teams can quickly assess the precise scope of a singular threat and take action to minimize potential damages.
Regulatory Compliance
Across industries, security regulations and requirements are becoming more stringent. Complying with regulations is one thing—keeping up with the changes and laws is a whole strategy. An integrated security system helps companies keep up with compliance standards and meet their needs as changes emerge.
Cost Savings
Globally, the average cost of a data breach is $4.88 million in 2024. Combining physical and digital security leads to cost savings over time by decreasing security breaches, preventing physical property damages, and minimizing noncompliance-related liabilities.
Setting Up an Integrated Security Strategy for Your Organization
When considering an integrated security system for your company, here are the steps you’ll typically need to take.
1. Assess Current Security Measures
First, evaluate the existing security protocols at your organization across physical and IT departments. Identify where there are gaps, overlaps, and opportunities between the two. Where can security measures be updated? Whether it be surveillance equipment, team members, or new software, take inventory of all protocols used.
2. Research New Security Technologies
When you’ve identified the gaps in your security, look up the technology solutions available. Consider the APIs, software, and other integrations it’s capable of. Choose a solution that enables multiple systems to communicate across departments for secure and streamlined data sharing.
3. Implement and Train Your Teams
Launch the updated security protocols and train your teams on the new system. Strong security relies on the personnel and employees equipped to operate the new system. Develop a training period to update physical security and IT departments on best practices, policies, and procedures of the new interconnected solution.
4. Monitor and Update
IT and physical security threats are always evolving, so your security strategy must be monitored and updated regularly. Implement clear processes regarding oversight and updates to stay ahead of new risks and potential errors in the system.
Find a Trusted Security Partner for Integrated Solutions
IT and physical security typically involve two separate domains. However, working with a trusted security partner that specializes in both is the surest way to integrate a better solution. While it might seem like a complex task, finding the right security partner can simplify the process, giving you the best outcome to meet your organization's needs.
At Meridian, we develop comprehensive security solutions that bridge the gap between physical and digital realms. Our security systems help your company leverage its existing framework and discover a new, improved protection system that works on all fronts.
To create a more resilient defense against modern security threats for your whole company, contact Meridian today.
