GUEST OPINION: As digital transformation continues to reshape the technology landscape, organisations are adopting Security Operations (SecOps) to unify physical security and IT under a single defence strategy.
The convergence of physical security systems, like access control and video management, with digital networks introduces unique challenges. SecOps addresses these risks by breaking down silos and fostering collaboration between teams historically focused on distinct domains, thereby creating a resilient shield against modern threats.
The shifting security landscape
Traditionally, physical security and cybersecurity have operated independently, each with its own teams, tools, and approaches. However, digital advancements have blurred these boundaries.
Today’s security environment is interconnected, with digital networks often controlling physical systems. For example, surveillance cameras and access control systems, once isolated, now function within broader enterprise management networks. This connectivity enhances functionality but exposes systems to potential cyberattacks.
SecOps overcomes this by encouraging a cohesive approach that treats physical and digital security as being interlinked. With the complexity of technology ecosystems, the need for such collaboration between IT and physical security teams is crucial to tackling evolving threats.
Achieving a holistic SecOps strategy
Despite the advantages of SecOps, challenges remain due to different priorities, and mindsets between physical security and IT organisations. Physical security teams primarily focus on mitigating tangible threats, while IT teams manage digital systems and networks. For a strong security posture, organisations need to bridge these domains and build collaboration.
Adopting SecOps involves more than technical integration. Physical security professionals must understand the growing interdependence between physical and cybersecurity systems. This shift requires a proactive stance in responding to cyber incidents, recognising that digital breaches can compromise physical security.
For example, if a cyberattack targets an access control system, a SecOps team can quickly neutralise the threat by shutting down affected systems and tracing the attack’s origin. Integrating real-time data from both physical and digital sources enables organisations to respond faster and more effectively to such incidents.
Technology as the backbone of SecOps
SecOps relies on several technologies to bridge the capability of physical security and IT organisations, including hybrid-cloud solutions and unified security platforms.
Hybrid-cloud adoption is on the rise in physical security. The Genetec State of Physical Security Report 2024 revealed that 51 per cent of organisations have adopted cloud or hybrid-cloud environments for security operations
Hybrid solutions allow SecOps to centralise data management and integrate IT and physical security efficiently. By balancing cloud and on-premises storage, SecOps teams can build tailored technology stacks that suit operational needs.
Meanwhile, unified platforms that integrate access control, video management, and intrusion detection under a single interface are essential in SecOps. These platforms enable real-time monitoring of physical risks while standardising data protection.
Cybersecurity measures such as encryption, multi-factor authentication, and health monitoring tools within these platforms further enhance security. Unified systems also streamline collaboration and reduce vulnerabilities, promoting a coordinated defence strategy whilst underpinned by robust network infrastructure.
Putting SecOps to work
Effective SecOps requires more than advanced technology. It demands cross-functional teams that bring expertise from both IT and physical security. This integration of skills aligns teams with the broader organisation’s mission, ensuring comprehensive security coverage. SecOps unifies processes, tools, and strategies to address physical and digital threats cohesively.
A core element of SecOps is centralised visibility, where IT and physical security teams can observe and address incidents in real time. A shared dashboard provides a unified perspective, allowing teams to detect connections between incidents.
For instance, a network breach might coincide with suspicious activity by an unknown individual in a restricted area. This joint situational awareness enhances responses and ensures that incidents are analysed from multiple angles.
Automation also plays a pivotal role in SecOps, streamlining responses and minimising delays, especially during high-stakes incidents. Modern work management tools enable organisations to automate crucial security actions while maintaining operational transparency. Automation ensures that teams respond swiftly to threats, minimising potential damages.
Enhanced interdepartmental collaboration
SecOps emphasises seamless collaboration across departments, supported by management platforms that centralise communication and information sharing. By breaking down silos, these platforms reduce human error and foster rapid response capabilities, particularly during critical situations where delays could prove costly.
As the boundary between physical and digital security blurs, SecOps offers an integrated approach to organisational protection. By bridging IT and physical security systems through advanced technology and teamwork, SecOps empowers organisations to counter today’s complex security challenges effectively.
For physical security professionals, adopting SecOps means transcending beyond traditional responsibilities to embrace the integration of cyber and physical domains. This shift enhances security, safeguarding assets and fostering a safer environment for all stakeholders.
SecOps not only strengthens defences but also aligns physical security operations with an organisation’s broader digital transformation goals, creating a resilient, unified approach to modern threats.