Insights: The Two Types of Security

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The increase of smart appliances and advanced electronics has created an environment where virtually anyone can be a target of a cyberattack. Credit card details, phone numbers, and private health data among a load of other information is all accessible to a creative and talented hacker. Therefore, it is no surprise that many firms take cybersecurity very seriously, and securing customers and employees’ privacy has become the most important job for many security professionals. And yet, we still hear news about hacked servers and stolen information all the time. It’s clear to me that we still have a long way to go before people can interact online without worrying about their personal data being stolen and used to harm them.

In addition, we should also consider the fact that cybersecurity and physical security often have to work hand in hand. We don’t always seem to remember that even though your information might be held securely in a server, it doesn’t mean that the server is secure in its location. In addition, many other problems might arise for your customers or employees if their safety is not properly accounted for. It is wise to consider what other measures might be important in addition to IT security, and how to best achieve the level of safety you can all be happy with.

I believe there are several similar ways you can approach both IT and physical security. In both cases, you should be able to control what a visitor or an employee can see or do, especially if you have different levels of access for certain information. Not all employees should be able to see each other’s personal data, and not all visitors should be able to access the backroom or office spaces. Another thing the two have in common is the fact that you should be able to know what is happening at all times. How many employees are accessing your systems, what are they doing, who is supposed to watch over them or follow up with them? You shouldn’t underestimate how important it can be in the case of an emergency to know what is happening at your work place. Third, you should have a possibility for some type of action when something unwanted happens, whether that’s online or in person. In my point of view, there is no difference between someone hacking into your system to steal data, and someone breaking into your facility to steal the system where the data is stored. In addition, blackouts or other cyber issues might be critical, but so can an intruder at the wrong area of your manufacturing floor.

Ultimately, you shouldn’t neglect either cybersecurity or physical security. Both are important for any business, and there are a lot of solutions and equipment that will suit a variety of needs. Also, many pieces of equipment can be utilized together, to create better security practices overall. Asqella’s ARGON is not intended to replace any of the old methods that you might have for physical security, but it can increase the feeling of safety when deployed correctly. ARGON is intended for applications where screening people for hidden objects quickly and discreetly is desired. ARGON’s passive operation makes it suitable for both visitor and employee screening, and the camera can be connected to other security solutions, like tracking CCTV and facial recognition software, to improve its functionality.

While ARGON is not a cybersecurity solution, it goes without saying that we recommend always considering both aspects of security to make a well-rounded security plan.