Ephrem Tesfai, Sales Engineering Manager META, Genetec, discussed with tahawultech.com’s Deputy Editor Daniel Shepherd, the challenges relating to cloud based cybersecurity solutions verses physical ones.
- Why should physical security professionals choose cloud solutions?
For physical security experts, cloud-based physical security solutions can be a game-changer. While many people still doubt the Cloud’s security, this belief is fading as more IT leaders argue for cloud-first practices across the board.
While only 14 percent of Middle Eastern companies stated that at least 25 percent of their physical security infrastructure is cloud or hybrid cloud – as per the Genetec State of Physical Security Report 2021 – there is an increasing interest in cloud solutions adoption. Shifting to cloud-based solutions might help you improve both physical and cyber security as installing cameras, automating doors, and monitoring intrusion alarms are no longer enough to secure your business. Cloud-based solutions also allow you to achieve higher levels of redundancy, encrypt data between your devices to the cloud while maintaining less hardware, thus getting exposed to fewer risks.
- What are the challenges relating to cybersecurity when implementing a physical security solution?
The largest challenge when securing your physical buildings is adhering to cybersecurity best practices as it demands additional work with on-premises technologies. Budgets and resources are stretched trying to keep up with software and firmware updates, security patches, server lifecycles, and maintenance agreements.
Physical security and cybersecurity are now inseparably interwoven. Without the other, neither can be fully supported. Keeping track of everything in one place is difficult enough. Maintaining all security devices and keeping cyber dangers at bay is much more difficult for businesses with hundreds of sites worldwide. To secure your people and buildings, you’ll need physical security solutions with built-in technologies to help you maintain strong cyber resilience.
- Are cloud solutions more manageable?
The answer is yes! Cloud services make cyber resilience easier since they relieve your IT and security personnel of the burden of regular upkeep. You’ll always have access to the most up-to-date built-in cybersecurity features with cloud solutions, such as granular privacy settings, strong user authentication, and various system health monitoring tools. You’ll also get the newest versions and patches pushed to your machine as soon as they’re available. This ensures that your physical security systems are safe from attacks.
There’s no need to rely on checklists and spreadsheets to ensure that all of your system components are updated and hardened using cloud services anymore. Higher levels of automation can help your team complete cybersecurity tasks easily, hence enhancing efficiencies all round.
- How safe are cloud-based physical security solutions?
Cloud-based physical security solutions allow you to save your systems, applications, and video records on servers located worldwide. While it’s natural to wonder if your data and systems are safe, many on-premises systems are not.
This is because tier-one cloud service providers such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Service, and Google Cloud Platform devote significant time and resources to guarantee the highest cybersecurity standards.
These big platform owners not only have teams and consultants committed to monitoring the latest cyber risks and implementing frequent third-party penetration testing and auditing, but they have teams and consultants dedicated to implementing regular third-party penetration testing. They also actively maintain numerous cybersecurity compliance standards and certifications and push the boundaries of cyber resilience to aid in the development of globally accepted best practices.
By opting for a physical security solution built on one of these top-tier cloud platforms, you’re effectively delegating all of this due diligence to the world’s finest cybersecurity specialists.
