Nearly half of all physical security teams utilize cloud-based solutions to manage some or all of their on-site operations. That may sound like an unusual choice to business leaders and security personnel who are not familiar with the technology. After all, wouldn’t storing data from video feeds, access control systems, automated license plate recognition systems, and other security modules online turn physical security problems into cybersecurity threats?
Thankfully, the answer to that question is a qualified no. As long as businesses work with experienced vendors that focus exclusively on providing software and support for physical security systems, cloud-based solutions are safer than on-site data storage and analysis. In other words, all of those security teams making the switch to cloud-based platforms are doing so for a variety of very compelling reasons.
Protection Against Data Loss
As big data becomes a larger part of how companies make key operational decisions, the risks associated with data loss continue to rise. Data losses don’t just happen when physical security breaches occur, allowing malicious actors to access on-site servers. Natural disasters, data center server failures, and even technical errors can all contribute to the threat of data losses, as well.
Taking advantage of cloud-based solutions all but eliminates the possibility of data loss by generating multiple, off-site backups of key information and files, making it a perfect complement to on-site data storage. Even if a data center gets entirely destroyed by an on-site disaster, security personnel will still be able to access crucial information gathered before the event occurred. In some cases, access to files such as pre-incident video feeds can even help to clarify what led to on-site data losses.
First-Rate Cybersecurity Protocols
Cloud-based security software providers aren’t just focused on facilitating physical security operations. They also take cybersecurity very seriously, which means they have strong protocols in place for protecting clients’ data and networks against attacks. In most cases, the protocols put in place by cloud-based security software providers are more robust than those associated with on-site system management.
End-to-end data encryption is one of the most effective methods for protecting data both in transit and at rest. It provides a failsafe to complement other security protocols by preventing cybercriminals from being able to access useful information even if a data breach occurs. Because the data can only be made accessible through the use of an encryption key, only authorized parties will ever be able to view it.
Fewer Hardware Needs
With a cloud-based physical security system, the only hardware that needs to be kept on-site is usually video cameras. These cameras can be used for everything from maintaining access controls to facilitating automatic license plate recognition in addition to capturing video feeds for direct monitoring. Eliminating hardware needs creates fewer entry points for cybercriminals into a company’s network, which leaves it more resilient and less vulnerable to attacks.
How to Make the Switch
As security personnel and business higher-ups should now be able to see, there’s a reason so many organizations are making the switch to cloud-based physical security software solutions. It offers a simple, affordable, and safe way to accommodate physical security needs without compromising cybersecurity, and making the switch simple. Reach out to a reputable cloud-based security software provider to discuss options and request a quote.