by Web Design | Jan 27, 2022 | General Insights |
By Nachiket S Vaze
The concept of Converged Security is relatively new, and this word started buzzing from around 2015 onwards. Let’s understand this concept with an example.
Let’s say there is an organization called M/s ABC Corporation. Now this ABC Corporation has a very competent departments – Physical Security & Information Technology or IT. The team members of these teams are competent and professional.
Now let’s imagine that the organization is facing the challenge of frequent accidents in its production areas and the location of the organization is surrounded by slums wherein the general crime rate is quite high, and same is reflected by the number of cases of thefts and pilferage in the organization. The organization’s leaders wanted to have an analytical tool which would give them a realistic solution by analyzing the root causes leading to the incidents/accidents/ thefts etc. and as part of this effort, they want their property covered with a state-of-the-art CCTV system.
The objective is to get the live actionable data for accident prevention & theft prevention. The responsibility for getting these installed goes to the physical security team.
Now remember, this security team is competent and professional. So, they identify the locations where the cameras should be installed, considering required distance and quality of output from each camera along with the analytical features which were needed for the system. All the considerations are now in place, the new design for the CCTV system is ready for installation and commissioning. The organization has installed approximately 100 CCTV cameras and a CCTV monitoring station.
Surprisingly, after going live, the system started to face problems like:
- Intermittent recording.
- Freezing video feed.
- The machines which were connected to the IoT and were undergoing industry 4.0 transformations also started facing bandwidth issues.
The overall performance of the IT infrastructure also started to decline considerably and at the same time the IT team raised concerns that there is suddenly heavy traffic on the business network.
What has happened here?
Ok, so what has happened here?
This new CCTV infrastructure was directly connected to the existing business network without measuring the capability and load capacity of this network leading to the collapse of the entire business network with the impact of significant down time and loss to the organization.
In the greater sense, the above issue occurred because:
- There was visibly no communication and coordination between the physical security team, IT team, Safety and BCM teams leading to lack of accurate problem identification and arriving on accurate solutions.
- All the departments were working within their own silos and the vision is limited to their departmental level only.
Image- https://www.cisa.gov/publication/cybersecurity-and-physical-security-convergence
Image- https://www.cisa.gov/publication/cybersecurity-and-physical-security-convergence
Let’s take the same example from different approaches, but in this case, the security team approaches the cyber/ IT team, safety and BCM teams with the mandate they had got from the management. The physical security team proposed the solutions which were enhanced by the other teams, and they arrived at a holistic solution which when implemented gave the organization the required data. On the analysis of the generated data, they identified the time zones of the accidents leading to various interventions like-
- Supervisor rounds during the accidents time zone.
- Scheduling of the tea breaks
- Increased patrolling round by security martials during identified high risk timeline.
- Deployment of security martials at strategic locations for theft control.
So, from above example, we can infer that, when all the organization’s different departments work in collaboration with open communication and coordination towards achieving a single aim, we can say they are converging, and such a security process is known as CONVERGED SECURITY.
Image- https://www.cisa.gov/publication/cybersecurity-and-physical-security-convergence
A few of the benefits of Converged Security are:
- Secure Enterprise– It enables an integrated view of security threat so leaders can align the security posture accordingly.
- Efficiency– Connected physical and cyber security functions reduce the duplication of the efforts and contribute to productivity improvement.
- Versatility– Streamlined security function leads to cross-training and overall knowledge base of the organization increases.
- Strategic Alignment- Risk and threat management is fully aligned under holistic strategy.
- Shared Information- Security functions share information and best practices while working to integrate and operate as one unified team.
- Common Goals- Single security program under one set of shared practices and goals to secure cyber-physical infrastructure.
It is also interesting to note the history of this concept, it all started with outselling of “Digital Video Recording” over VCR from 2003 till early 2004, and from 2004 till some next 10 years up to around 2015, all the systems were being migrating from “Analog to Digital” and this era was termed as Era of Migration in IT security domain.
This was also the time when these digital-migrated systems were integrating with a lot of other systems.
Since 2015 a lot of convergence between physical and cyber security systems are happening across the globe, and same forecasted for next 10 years or may be more- approximately between 20 billion to 50 billion* devices are currently connected to the cloud and this number is increasing exponentially.
Quite a few organizations have now looked forward to building the Converged Security Centers which will get the continuous data from Cyber Security and Physical Security teams which will be combinedly represented into a single dashboard with actionable information.
These centers will not just be about the technology, but it will integrate people and processes to technology.
Concept of converged security is the future and relevance of physical security will depend on how fast they can align themselves with the business objectives and collaborate with multiple stakeholders especially with cyber security team for securing the organizations.
by Web Design | Jan 6, 2022 | General Insights |
Brig. Gen. (R) Ahmed Fekry transitioned into a Corporate Security Management career after serving 30 years in the Egyptian Military. Now working as Area Security Manager for a leading Facilities Management organization in Cairo, Egypt. He finds himself drawn to the Corporate Security function’s ability to create positive outcomes for an organization from top to bottom.
With approximately 150 security personnel reporting directly to him, Ahmed and his team are responsible for all events that may threaten the organization’s operations. With such an important mandate, Ahmed finds that adhering to industry-proven best practices effectively ensures success.
He found Corp Security International and become a Professional Member and he says “My Professional Membership has connected me with Corporate Security professionals around the world who also share the common goal of protecting individuals irrespective of wherever they may work in the world. Those connections and insights have helped to improve services with best-in-class programs and procedures that I have brought back to my organization.”
He earned Corp Security International’s Certified Security Manager (CSM) Advanced Security Management Certification in 2022. He says “Part of the value of becoming certified is the invaluable knowledge you gain from CSM body of knowledge and innovative training program. My organization supported me in pursuing my certification because they understand the value this knowledge brings to the organization.”
Now, Ahmed holds the Corp Security International’s Certified Security Manager (CSM) certification, a symbol of excellence in Corporate Security Management. He loves sharing his knowledge and contributes to various Community Groups of Corp Security International.
An especially memorable moment for Ahmed was when he and his team rolled out a new security awareness program for the organization.
“Corporate Security offers you the opportunity to shape the minds, culture, and, ultimately, the behavior of others to create and maintain a safe and secure environment,” he reflects. “This industry allows you to explore creative and proactive ways to help mitigate threats in our ever-changing volatile world.”
by Web Design | Dec 29, 2021 | General Insights |
What is the best way to keep your office safe? It's not just large companies that hire security guards. Small and medium-sized businesses also need protection for their assets and employees, which is why they often invest in hiring a security guard service.
The job requirements and skill set needed to work as a private security professional has expanded greatly since its inception. Security guards are employed by both private companies and public organizations. They're also there to protect you and your workplace from any harm that may come.
What is Physical Security?
Physical security is about protecting personnel, hardware, software, networks, and data from physical actions and events that could cause serious damage. Physical security can be achieved by implementing a variety of measures to protect your property including CCTV surveillance systems, motion detectors, alarms, and locks.
Physical Security measures include: - Securing building entrances with locks and guards - Installing cameras at strategic locations - Conducting background. The importance of physical security cannot be underestimated as it ensures that all assets are protected against unauthorized access.
Who are Security Guards?
In this time of heightened security, it's important to have a guard on your side. A security guard is someone who patrols and inspects property against fire, theft, vandalism, terrorism, and illegal activity. They monitor people and buildings to prevent crimes from happening. Security guards are also responsible for the safety of their employees or building occupants by making sure that all entrances are locked when they're not present.
In the world of security, there are many different types and levels of protection. From a basic level to high-level protection for large companies and corporations
For many people, the idea of a security guard conjures up images of large corporations and high-profile events. But in reality, small to medium size companies may also need them for protection. A security guard is an employee who has been hired by a company to protect their assets and employees from harm. They can be found at any type of business that needs someone on-site during operating hours.
Guarding is an honorable profession that provides these benefits as well as the ability to make an impact on society by providing safety for those who need it most. The presence of a security guard at a business can provide peace of mind and a sense of security to the business owner, employees, and customers.
What is the most important thing in security?
It's tough to picture our daily lives without them. They're the ones who help keep us safe and secure, and we almost fail to give them a second thought. But when we come to think of it, they are an integral part of our society that deserves recognition. We often don't notice security guards because they blend in with their environment, but these people do such important work! Without them, there would be no peace of mind for anyone - not even you!
Security guards are the first line of defense against crime. They keep buildings, schools, and other facilities secure by watching for suspicious people or activities. They also stop any crimes that do happen from escalating into something more serious. No one wants to think about their safety when they're at work, but sometimes we need a little extra protection - like security guards! A lot of people don't know what these guys do daily.
Their main role is not to react to crime threats without law enforcement, but to deter them before they happen. They do this by patrolling and monitoring property 24/7 and checking for any potential security issues that may arise. Security guards are often seen as a last resort when it comes to security, which is why their presence can be discouraging for criminals who want easy access. They are also responsible for patrolling an area and checking people's identification or other credentials if anything seems suspicious or out of place.
Often, a security guard can detect that something is going to happen and prevent it through action or simply by watching.
The security guard booth is a necessary investment for any business that has valuable property or needs to protect its employees. Security guard booths can help reduce theft and trespassing by providing a 360-degree eyesight view for the guards. A security guard with the right equipment can make all the difference in protecting your company's assets and personnel.
How to choose the right security guards for your needs
Security guards are in high demand these days, but not all of them are up to the task. You must do your research before hiring a security guard for your company or home. There are different types of security guards, so it's important to know which ones you need for your specific needs.
If you are looking to hire security guards, it is important to know what qualities make for a good guard. Do they have the necessary training? What about their experience? These are all things that should be considered before hiring anyone.
You can hire one type of security guard over another depending on the nature of your business. Security guards have been around since the beginning of time, but most people only think about them when they're working at an event or venue. Security guards do more than just stand in one place and watch over a crowd, though!
There are two types of security guards: armed and unarmed. Armed security guards may be necessary for some businesses, while unarmed guards will suffice for others. The decision is ultimately up to the management of each business as they evaluate what type of atmosphere they want their establishment to have. Security is an important factor for many businesses because it protects them from theft and other crimes that might occur on-site. Unarmed security officers are often cheaper than armed ones but, if you're considering hiring armed security officers is look at your current policies or any other measures.
Security Guards: The key to physical security
Security guards have many responsibilities on their plate- from monitoring surveillance feeds for potential threats, patrolling the building at night, and making sure all exits are closed off before leaving.
Crime prevention is everyone's responsibility. Security guards are an important part of any modern society. They stand outside stores, offices, and homes to prevent crimes from happening.
They spend their days monitoring security cameras, conducting surveillance, and investigating suspicious activity. Many people don't know that security guards have to be trained in many areas including weapons training, first-aid skills, CPR certification, fire safety awareness, and more!
It's a common misconception that security guards are just there to stand around and look tough. In reality, they're trained professionals who use their clear judgment to protect the asset and assess the situation for the best means of action.
Security guards must be constantly vigilant, observant of their surroundings, and aware of all possible threats that may arise. They must be constantly vigilant, observant of their surroundings, and aware of all possible threats that may arise.
Are our security guards necessary for public safety?
If you're looking for a way to deter and displace theft, then security guards are your answer! They can help prevent theft by making the environment less attractive to thieves. Security guards typically work at a designated post and watch for any suspicious activity that might be happening nearby. They can't just stand there though; they have to take initiative and go out into the crowd to look for anything unusual or unsafe. This will help maintain employment levels, and in turn, will also help the economy recover more quickly.
Security guards are many things; they don't have any special powers to detect crimes before they happen. But what they do have is a set of skills that can help them protect the people around them and their property from danger. Security operations are moving towards a response to medical emergencies too. The security guard should be prepared for any emergency that may arise. This includes practicing emergency response which is a critical part of readiness.
Security guards are the unsung heroes of society. Security guards protect us from all sorts of threats and dangers we encounter daily. They keep us safe and secure by watching over our schools, hospitals, offices, homes, and neighborhoods. They don't just guard; they think out of the box and make quick decisions in critical situations. Thus, we discussed how important are security guards and can make or break an event with their ability to think critically and react quickly.
by Web Design | Dec 22, 2021 | General Insights |
There are many different types of access control systems. The most common type is the one that uses a keycard to open doors. There are also magnetic cards, keypads, and biometrics. Access control can be used for buildings or computer networks. It's important to make sure that people who have clearance can't enter areas they shouldn't be in.
The access control systems are also known as airlocks, access control vestibules, and sally ports. They're used to keep one area separate from another. These doors can be opened or closed depending on the situation at hand. The door is the first line of defense, but it doesn't matter how strong your front door is if someone can easily access the rest of your home or business.
What is a Mantrap?
A door with an access control system is like a security checkpoint. It's the first line of defense against intruders that would try to get into your home or office space. The access control systems are also known as airlocks, access control vestibules, and sally ports. They're used to keep one area separate from another. These doors can be opened or closed depending on the situation at hand.
The term mantrap is used to describe a type of access control system that consists of a small space and two interlocking doors. The first door is unlocked, and it leads into the mantrap. Once inside, the second door locks behind them and they can't get out until someone opens the outside door from the other side. The way this works is by using an open-able barrier to block off one or more entrances to a building, room, or area.
Mantraps are most often used in physical security to separate non-secure areas from secure areas and prevent unauthorized access. The most common mantraps are the swinging door, sliding gate, or revolving door. Mantraps are most often used in physical security to separate non-secure areas from secure areas and prevent unauthorized access. The most common mantraps are the swinging door, sliding gate, or revolving door.
Access control can be achieved through integration, preventing the passage of unauthorized persons or simultaneous multiple persons.
Where do we use Mantraps?
Locking up your office is a necessary precaution against break-ins and unauthorized access. But what about when you're not in the office? Who's going to protect it then? Sometimes the best way to keep your data secure is by not storing it at all.
There are several different types of man traps used in various industries, but all have one thing in common: they keep air and dust from flowing into the space. In high-security applications, these contraptions can be found at every entrance to a facility or building. These areas can include laboratories, factories, power stations, military installations, or any other place with sensitive information to protect.
They are frequently used in airports, back-facing banking operations, healthcare facilities, research labs, and government installations. The next time you go to an airport, banks, or other facilities with restricted access, take a moment to think about how it would be without those doors and gates. Would they still have any security?
How do Mantraps work?
Mantraps are a security measure that can be used to keep unauthorized personnel out of your office. These traps consist of a metal frame with either an inward or outward opening door, and they are typically set on the ground at the entrance to a building or facility. Mantraps create an extra layer of security to ensure only authorized personnel are entering your office. This is done by setting it down in front of the doorway so that people who don't have permission will trip over it.
How you enter a secure area is determined by the type of access control. There are many different types of access control methods that can be used for entering a secure area. They include swiping a keycard, scanning your fingerprint, and entering your PIN. If someone wants to enter an area but doesn't have any form of identification on them they will not be allowed to enter the secure area.
Mantraps are that guard our homes and businesses are made of two doors that automatically lock when one door is opened. The only way to get past these doors is by using your key card to open them. Once the system authenticates your credentials, the door unlocks automatically, allowing you to enter the mantrap.
The first door to the mantrap locks, preventing other individuals from entering the vestibule. The most effective way to employ these mantraps is to allow only one person at a time. And if there is more than one person, mantrap detects and denies access to a secure area and sends an alert.
After that, you need to verify your security credentials to pass through the second door to enter the secure area. This type of lock eliminates the need for a guard to constantly be monitoring and unlock the vestibule door.
When there is an unauthorized entry, you would be trapped in the vestibule, and then a guard will question them and inform the higher authorities of the security breach caused by that person.
What are the benefits of Mantraps?
Mantraps are among the best ways to restrict movement in and out of any secure facility. Mantraps can be used for many purposes, from trapping pesky rodents to preventing unauthorized people from entering a building. In addition, mantraps have been proven to be an effective method of controlling access into a secured area.
Mantraps are one type of access control device, and they can be used in both commercial and residential settings. Hackers and thieves are always on the lookout for ways to break into your facilities. If you're looking to keep your buildings secure, use mantraps as an access control method. Mantraps are a great way of keeping hackers out of your facilities!
An unauthorized individual could conceivably breach the first door, but this may prevent them from unlocking the second door, potentially trapping them inside until the proper authorities arrive to let them out.
Mantraps are a great way to protect your business by catching any unwanted intruders before they can get too far into the premises. They are also an excellent tool for protecting your employees from harm, as well as safeguarding any sensitive information that may be on site.
Access control is a crucial part of any security plan. If you're looking for a way to increase your building's security, installing an access control vestibule is the answer. These access control vestibules are designed to protect your building from intruders, and they come with a variety of features that will suit every need. These vestibules are designed with a lockable door that can be opened and closed by authorized personnel only.
What are you waiting for? It's time to upgrade your security. Mantraps can support two-factor authentication for even better security. People will need to provide two types of authentication or credentials (one at each door) to enter. With this in place, it is much more difficult and expensive for hackers to breach the system and steal information or cause damage. Thus Mantraps are an effective solution for security access control.
by Web Design | Nov 22, 2021 | General Insights |
According to US natural hazard statistics, there have been significant increases in severe weather-related fatalities in the world. Many of these have become a seasonable phenomenon. Weather changes that happen regularly such as flood, heat, tornado, lightning, hurricane, wildfire, extreme cold, and wind and earthquakes have been dominating the headlines of newspapers throughout the world. It has now gone to the extent that not even a single day passes without having been heard about at least one such incident taking valuable lives and properties somewhere in the world.
Preparedness to mitigate the effects and rescue people has been taking all across the planet with efficient response and management teams being trained to cope with all types of emergencies. There are private agencies with trained officers ready to manage such crisis when an emergency hit. Some big corporations are assigning such organizations with the duty of protecting their employers and properties to efficiently respond to such emergencies. When they are tasked with the duty, they will be responsible for down to top operations such as issuing protocols, supplying necessary equipment, facilitating transportation, and providing required means to stay at a spot for an indefinite period.
With each new change in weather becoming seasonal and unpredictable, investing more time and resources in the field of security response venture will be a relevant idea for this time in particular.
Hurricanes, wildfires, and floods have been frequently hitting more parts of the world. Countless acres of land have been burnt in a wildfire in recent years. Hurricane takes hundreds of thousands of lives and other properties. Floods have also become a regular phenomenon claiming lives and destroying livelihoods. Since the root cause of this severe change in weather is environmental pollutions and other toxic-substance emissions, the future is likely to be more dark and hopeless as there has no visible practice in letter and spirit towards the reduction of pollution in the world. For this reason, at least equipping personnel to tackle emergencies by taking strategies that can rescue the most vulnerable people and mitigate the effects of the disaster should be the urgent priority of the security leaders and disaster management teams. Here you will be exposed to some smart emergency response ideas helpful for successfully engaging with rescue operations.
Informing the communities
The first and most basic thing one can do to respond to an emergency weather season is to pass the news of potential danger that is on its way. Security teams are expected to have the most advanced communication channels to reach out to residents to facilitate information sharing more effectively so that they can take enough precautions and demand help in a critical situation. Security leaders must also be careful about not turning the people in panic with their interaction rather they should communicate only the most critical information in a strategic and timely manner. Enabling a rapid and coordinated response requires proper communication between all the stakeholders of a situation. They should be very thoughtful about what this announcement means to the public and how they will respond as each one assess that in varying degrees. They must find proper channels and systems to convey the message and ensure that the message has reached the target audience. This is the fundamental duty of security leaders to manage severe weather conditions and natural calamities.
Defining the vulnerable areas and people
When communicating with people who are going to meet the calamity, the security team has to bear in mind that giving a message should be confined into the specific areas and it is also advised to inform the nearby area that is going to have its consequences. For example, if a hurricane hits an area near the ocean, it may cause the water to overflow to areas where people are living. In such circumstances, security personnel is indulging in rescue operation teams have to proactively foresee the entire probable follow-ups.
Making proper planning and preparation for the operation
We have Emergency operation centers these days in several places. It functions keeping in mind the protection of lives and properties as its core goal. They are a set of trained security professionals ready to manage the communication activities and support and operate emergency response activities in a sheer professional and creative manner. Such a safety operation team is entrusted to prepare for the worst disaster with meticulous planning and response strategies. This involves providing adequate training and skills for the personnel and devising the course of action. For security leaders, it is important to assign specific roles to the personnel and maintain a commanding power without creating confusion during the rescue operations. There should be established communication among the security personnel and also with the affected communities. Preparation again involves testing the efficiency and functionality of the tools and technologies that they are going to use in the operation. Identifying potential points of failure and finding ways to minimize the inevitable casualties are among the prime concerns of the security leaders.
How much collaboration valued during the operation
Total collaboration between all the concerned stakeholders of a particular emergency is paramount for the successful operation of an emergency response team. Collaboration between private and public security agencies, security management, and other rescue forces need to be well-coordinated to have a smooth function while the work goes on. During a severe weather emergency, immediate informing of the community, establishing the separate responsibilities, and making a clear direction for the entire operation all these vitals will not be possible if there was no active collaboration among the stakeholders. Constituting an integrated commanding system will be a highly recommended way to establish collaboration.
Now let us take three examples of weather response activity
Flood management; has become a frequently required operation nowadays as floods continue to be a recurring process. Searching and rescuing, cleaning up some hazardous materials, utility restoration, and other critical activities should only be carried out by experienced and trained personnel. For example, if there is full of water near an electric circuit and the electric nuance touches the water, it will be catastrophic if it was not properly managed. And removing debris, rescuing isolated people trapped in a place surrounded by water, using technological tools to facilitate the operation, taking enough self-defenses against drowning, insects, chemical dangers, fire, and exhaustion are all things security personnel involved in flood management have to understand.
Hurricane management; primarily requires a thorough evacuation plan in the entire areas that the hurricane is expected to hit. It includes evacuation procedures, a chain of commands, tools for the personnel, and other essential accessories. The flow of information must be assured from the sources only. Anticipating the potential consequences, responding accordingly, planning relief and recovery course of action, leveraging the relationship with other agencies, mobilizing volunteers, calling the first responders are among the factors a security leader managing the hurricane has to address. Other components such as the use of technology and post-storm assessments also come under the duty of the Hurricane management team.
Wildfire management; is a very important issue because of the extensive damage it causes and the threat it poses to the safety of people and the property. It is urgent in sites packed with inflammable vegetation to have an effective wildfire plan at all times. Some key elements to keep in mind while engaging with wildfire are defining the exact location of the site, preparing a detailed description of the site, identifying the location of fire-sensitive features, narrating the procedure to be followed, creating communication procedures including radio frequencies of responding agencies and map identification such as entry spot, exit spot, water source and location of flammable fuels. And last but not least, maintaining a close relationship and liaisons with the local fire agency is very important. Conducting training exercises and sometimes joint training with the local agencies will help to sharpen the efficiency of the whole operation.
As most countries fail to keep their promise of reducing greenhouse emissions and other polluting components, things don’t seem to change. When elements producing such emissions are on a skyrocketing pace, the only reliance, government, and private agencies have before them is to equip security personnel to respond and manage the changing weather emergencies. Security leaders both from the public and private sectors alike have a lot to learn and do in the coming days as many of the corporations starts to employ security agencies to respond to the emergencies in the face of seasonal and frequent weather-related casualties across the world
