The Blurred Line Between Cybersecurity and the Physical World
Peter Borskin - Chief Technology Officer
A cybersecurity breach is one of the greatest risks organizations face today, especially given how connected our world is, including intelligent locks and access control systems. The potential impact of cybercrime is astounding.
Blending Physical and Cyber Security
Physical security practitioners recognize how rapidly the threat landscape is evolving and why there is a greater sense of urgency today to address the changing blend of physical and cyber threat vulnerabilities. They understand how critical it is now to focus as much on the cybersecurity of physical security solutions like video cameras, sensors, electronic locks and access control systems as it is on the physical security of IT systems and other logical assets.
Sometimes the easiest hack is physical where someone simply has ready access to a place, laptop or thumb drive that is unprotected. It can also be as brazen as unauthorized company staff being able to freely enter a server room or open a server cabinet. Fortunately, electronic access control locks and credentialing systems are successfully deployed more widely for server rooms, cabinets and openings in general.
Even so, the security industry is always looking at new and diverse ways to protect people, places and assets. Additional physical hardening, incorporating biometrics into access control credentials and greater reliance on advanced automated security measures are just a few examples of where things are headed.
Peter Boriskin, Chief Technology Officer for the Americas at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions believes the future of security is ripe with opportunities to find better solutions for companies and customers, “We have an opportunity to establish security with a capital “S.” It’s not OT security, IT security, physical security, etc. It’s security writ large. And as we think about integrated approaches to bring all these disciplines together, there’s an opportunity to create and converge security services for our customers.”
Cybersecurity: Everyone’s Priority
The utility, healthcare, banking, telecommunications, technology and transportation sectors are among the industries that still face the highest cyber risk exposure and ransomware threats. Understandably, they are also the segments that are continually making the most progress to deploy countermeasures. But it is important to realize that our connected world has a growing number of digital solutions, and that means organizations are potentially vulnerable to a disruptive and costly cyberattack.
Consider all the smart technology, access control systems, sensors, wireless solutions and APIs in the mix and how they connect to various networks. Even SCADA systems used in manufacturing, intelligent gauges and industry 4.0 types of assets that were once traditionally isolated have now become part of the IoT world. Convenience, greater efficiency, better analytics, easy updating and more data capture are motivators. The demand for greater flexibility is not going away. That is why continuous enhancement to secure all data and systems is so critical.
Adding to the pressure, many companies do not have the means to hire in-house cybersecurity experts. Chris Warner, Senior Security Consultant for Guidepoint Security, notes how resources are being allocated away from security, “With all the new legislation coming out, organizations are being overwhelmed with compliance. As a result, their resources are being put towards compliance, not security.”
Even those that can afford to do so are facing a global talent shortage where candidates are hard to find and, once hired, are hard to keep. Organizations are looking at outsourcing cybersecurity to managed services companies.
Openings solutions integrators who have the vision to adopt a managed services approach have an opportunity to help fill the gap and become an invaluable resource that can support their end customers throughout device and solution lifecycles.
Get Up to Speed
Gone are the days of “set it and forget it.” It is not enough for integrators and technicians to know how to physically install things anymore. They need to know about networks, how to assign IP addresses to devices, program switches, and how well IoT technology they are integrating is designed to protect against attacks. Investing in cybersecurity training, continuing education and staying in front of emerging threats is key. This goes for integrators and end customers alike, including those who may be evaluating the practicality of managed services.
It is also crucial to partner with manufacturers of physical security solutions who make cybersecurity a priority. Increased threats have prompted product developers to incorporate robust and well-tested security into their designs from the ground up. Modern products ensure that their applications do not quickly become outdated and exploited. For example, newer devices allow automatic and remote firmware updates and patches instead of requiring someone to visit each one to manually execute updates.
What is critical is to become a strong advocate for cybersecurity, whether it is for safeguarding critical infrastructure, patient medical records, intelligent door locks, access control systems or other vital technology and information.
Antoinette King, Founder of Credo Cyber Consulting, had this advice, “The biggest vulnerability in security, whether you are looking at physical or cyber, is the individual. It’s critical to educate yourself on what it is you're trying to do and the risks and the vulnerabilities associated with that—every day we learn something new about some kind of new threat. So just staying educated to make sure you are giving your customer the best information you can based on what's out there is key.”
To learn more, watch the ASSA ABLOY 18th Annual ISC West Breakfast Session, “Navigating Megatrends for Sustainable Growth”.
Peter Borskin is the Chief Technology Officer for ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions Americas, Peter has over twenty years of experience working with security and safety technology, most of that in the enterprise security marketplace. In his previous roles, Peter was the Product Management Leader for UTC Fire & Security in their Lenel business and the Vice President of Product Management for Tyco International’s Access Control and Video Systems division. Prior to joining Tyco, he founded a networking company where he was the owner and President. He has held certifications from Cisco, Microsoft, and EMC, and has a background in network security, threat assessment, and incident management. Peter is a member of a number of industry forums and working groups and was a founding member of the Open Security Exchange. He is also an active member of SIA, where he is chair for the Standards Committee, PSIA, ASIS International, and has given presentations and instructional seminars for SIA, ASIS, GSX and other security organizations. Peter holds a BA from Brandeis University.