The rapid acceleration of digitization is causing security protocols to evolve at the same pace. Large changes being made to physical security are coming from organizations and their desire for end-to-end solutions. Simultaneously, security providers are able to provide greater value in terms of security solutions. These solutions cover the entirety of the operational challenges across a facility.

Evolving Landscape of Physical Security
Businesses and IT are aligned today more than ever. IT is enhancing physical security capabilities, making it possible for companies to better prepare for and respond to security situations. The necessity of security standards is shifting to as new possibilities emerge.

In other words, the embedding of technology and human-tech partnerships in physical security deployment is virtually a pre-requisite. This is also why there is a great shift towards hybrid products and services in the physical security industry.

Latest Trends in Physical Security
One of the biggest functions that security officers perform is access control. Today, people utilize electronic credentials to be able to access a particular facility. There has been a significant push to increase the sophistication in the reporting of what that means.

There is a big challenge when authorized individuals have to provide badges and access keys to visitors and employees. They also have to think about how to revoke access for temporary visitors or former staff. This makes the task very cumbersome, especially for big facilities like schools or corporations.

A company or campus can have numerous buildings, and finding the right balance between limiting access and proving freedom to move around can be tough. Security strategists and businesses therefore have to make sure that they are able to control the process so that they can quickly provide the right balance to the right people.

Traditional Access Control and Advanced ID
Access control exists within ID clearance. Badges ensures that only those with the correct credentials can access specific doors. It helps secure locations and valuables within a facility. Advanced ID technology is an example of how advancements in the IT world are helping security companies add more layers to the existing technology.
Today, you can find softwares that solves the problem of manually keeping track of badges and permissions. You can set up accesses based on roles and privileges, while also issuing permanent access and temporary access. Solutions such as these are easy to integrate and use since they exist in the cloud.

Cloud solutions such as these help moderate security measures and access. Not to mention, it allows managers and security providers to make quick necessary changes. Admins can also setup someone ahead of time if they are going to be entering the facility. Once the guest arrives at the facility, they receive their access credential without having to go through a long registration process.

Cloud Solutions are Making Physical Security More Nimble
The old, slow moving security industry is long gone, and cloud solutions and technologies are revolutionizing the physical security structure. Many players in the industry are reconsidering the challenges that come with managing on-premise security architecture. Progressive companies are starting to shift much of their operations to the cloud, and physical security is following suit.

One example of such cloud solutions is Patrol Points. This is a solution that streamlines a security guards patrolling and touring schedule on a cloud-based platform. Consistent and efficient patrolling services are essential to securing physical areas, and this software program helps guards and teams provide better services without having to hire more people.

Another key measure for security professionals is to adhere to best practices in tense or unexpected situations. Security managers understand that they need to train their team to think on their feet and be respond based on the unique circumstances of an issue. This is what Patrol Points focuses on. It helps guards attain a higher level of productivity by mitigating manual processes of security deployment. Guards can focus on the things that really matter instead of having to worry about jotting down notes to use for manual reports. They can upload photos or videos directly to the system and fill in logs directly from a mobile app.

Benefits of a Cloud-Based Guard Tour System
Cloud-based solutions allow companies to utilize customizable and scalable options when setting up security. An organization of any size can use cloud-based mechanisms for communications, data storage, reports, and more. One of the best benefits of the cloud is that it can help save you time, money and resources that you would normally spend building on-premise infrastructure.

Cloud-based patrolling interfaces further help you by enabling supervisors or management to schedule each guard’s patrol route ahead of time. This ensures that all the vulnerable areas of the premise are being supervised and monitored at all times. Once you place the checkpoints, you can use the user-friendly interface to change routes.

Guards have the option to use their mobile phones as critical tools to secure a facility. Whether it is reporting, sharing, or archiving, having a unified dashboard can optimize all security procedures. It’s simple and effective, and certainly worth the investment.

Potential Risks
Despite all the benefits of a cloud-based approach in physical security, moving to the cloud does come with some risks. Cloud services need the internet to operate. However, cloud service providers offer service level agreements that guarantee uptime. All failures are therefore subject to compensation. Furthermore, guards can still conduct patrol tours if they are using Patrol Points. Checkpoint data will be saved locally to the guard’s phone, and then uploaded to the system once internet connection is available.

Another concern that companies point to before implementing cloud technologies is data security. To be able to use a cloud technology to its full potential, valuable data must be provided to the system. Putting your data in the cloud may open up newfound security risks that have to do with cyberattacks and malware. Nevertheless, according to recent reports, it is much safer to store data on the cloud than a local server. This is because data access and monitoring are much more efficient in the cloud. If something’s wrong, admins can be alerted in real time.

Cloud is the Way to Go
More and more businesses are moving to cloud solutions, and the physical security industry is no exception. Cloud software offers flexibility, including when it comes to payments. Companies may pay for a subscription package, or use a pay-as-you-go model, which helps make services more accessible to smaller organizations. Combine the lower costs with the lower maintenance, and it’s clear to see why cloud technology is so attractive. The technology is maintained and updated by the platform provider.

Overall, moving processes and procedures online provides greater flexibility, easier access to resources, and greater reliability.

Final Thoughts
People in the security industry need to acknowledge that as human-tech collaboration increases, the line between physical security and cyber security will begin to blend. Companies are asking for both, and in order to stay competitive, security companies will need to figure out ways to appease these demands. Integration will mean deploying a unique combined set of security measures.