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Three Become One in Systems Convergence

By Dan Moceri

Traditionally, physical security and IT (or logical) security have been separate disciplines in organizations, managed and operated by separate departments. This typically creates a duplication of systems, policies and staff that results in inefficiencies and barriers to effectively safeguarding people, property, data and assets. Converging these disparate systems and departments promises to result not only in more effective security practices, but also in greater efficiencies and cost-savings.

"Uniting Building and Network Access" was the topic of a panel discussion I participated in during the recent ISC West show. David Ting, founder and CTO of Imprivata, facilitated the panel. Additional panel members included Laurie Aaron from Quantum Secure and Open Security Exchange, Mark Peterson representing SIA Standards, and Peter Boriskin from TYCO.  The panel explored the drivers of physical and logical convergence and how it is successfully being implemented.

Drivers of Convergence
Organizations today face several challenges in restricting access to facilities and information. One challenge is the migration from physical-based assets to information-based assets. Today's physical electronic assets are small and extremely mobile. A laptop, CD or flash drive can contain critical personal data (addresses, bank accounts, Social Security numbers, etc.) and a company's competitive advantage (drawings, processes, formulas, etc.).  While the value of the actual physical asset may be low, the loss of information can be extremely high. Lost or stolen information often can be replicated, but the security breach can cost tens of millions of dollars in terms of the company's image, brand and credibility.

Regulatory compliance is a second challenge for businesses, especially publicly held companies and health care providers. Sarbanes Oxley, HIPAA and PCI all mandate restricted access to protected information. This has forced many organizations to change critical processes, invest in new technologies and hire additional staff in order to ensure compliance and avoid significant fines. 

A third challenge involves increasing performance with fewer resources. Today's organizations are looking to enhance earnings through cost reductions. This puts more strain on existing staff and resources and increases the risk of losing intellectual data. As a result, companies are investing significantly in risk mitigation and business continuity.

Can Convergence Become Reality?
Recognizing its impact on people, processes and technology, convergence can become a reality, but not without significant change management. In the past, technology has been the primary hurdle. However, physical security technologies (hardware and software) are adopting IT best practices; closed, proprietary systems are no longer the norm. Today's open security systems are designed to routinely interoperate with other systems, and additional standards and technology solutions are being developed to ensure this compatibility.

The biggest hurdle today in making convergence a reality is people and processes. Some organizations are beginning to successfully facilitate collaboration between physical security and IT departments. Forward-thinking organizations are consolidating both departments into one. The jury is still undecided if one method works better. Whether through one budget or shared budgets, one department or cooperating departments, combining security policies and credentials can result in significant benefits. Executed effectively, the ISC West panel concluded, an organization could expect convergence to improve security and add dollars to the bottom line.

About the Author:

Dan Moceri is chief executive officer and co-founder of Convergint Technologies, North America's fastest growing systems integrator. Moceri has 30 years of experience in the electronic security, fire alarm and life safety, and building automation industry. Contact him via e-mail at dan.moceri@Convergint.com Find out more about the company at www.Convergint.com/

FROM THE EDITORS: