Don’t overlook the role of physical security in your cybersecurity strategy

Cybersecurity and physical security are intrinsically linked. You can’t have true cybersecurity if you haven’t also bolstered your physical security defenses. This is especially true when we think about critical infrastructure. 

Here’s why: If an intruder gets access to your data center or other sensitive area, a physical security problem can quickly become a cybersecurity problem. Welcome to the new world of cyber and physical security convergence. It’s fitting during October’s National Cybersecurity Awareness Month to consider the role of physical security when it comes to cybersecurity. 

Reducing false alarms

Alarm fatigue, caused by too many false alarms, is a real problem when it comes to physical security. It can lead to complacency and allow real alarms to be overlooked. 

Security operators need to be certain that when there is a PIDS (perimeter intrusion detection system) alarm, it is a real event. This is where a 3D LiDAR solution comes in, overcoming the limitations of traditional physical security solutions. 

Quanergy’s solutions help operators focus on real threats; organizations that have deployed Quanergy no longer need to hire expensive guard services to contend with thousands of false alarms generated by their legacy PID systems.

To provide a real-world example: Securitas uses our innovative 3D LiDAR solutions in their electronic security services in France, having selected Quanergy for its high accuracy and low rate of false alarms. Using Quanergy’s 3D LiDAR solutions has divided the rate of nuisance alarm by ten, making the remote monitoring by Securitas’ operators more efficient – enabling them to better serve their customers.

What’s holding back more widespread adoption?

LiDAR has been used for countless other applications in various markets for decades. But it’s a relatively new solution for physical security applications. LiDAR at this moment is at a very interesting point in its evolution. A few years ago, no one would have considered or even thought of LiDAR as a security sensor. More and more, we are seeing that the security space is evolving and is immediately recognizing the value and the power of 3D sensing. So, the acceleration of LiDAR use in security will depend on education and adoption in key markets.

How improved physical security ties back to cybersecurity

Organizations are spending more and more money, and putting more focus, on securing their data centers and other physical infrastructure from cybersecurity attacks. That’s with good reason; attacks are increasing in both volume and sophistication. In fact, the FBI’s Internet Crime Report for 2021 found that in 14 of 16 critical infrastructure sectors, at least one member fell victim to a ransomware attack in 2021. 

Physical security solutions don’t just protect data centers and other critical infrastructure from physical threats; these solutions can also help keep out bad actors trying to gain access to sensitive information in those facilities. 

3D LiDAR has you covered

Critical infrastructure needs extra protection, both in terms of physical and digital security. When the cyber and physical meet like this, legacy solutions won’t suffice. Make sure you don’t ignore physical security when it comes to securing your critical infrastructure – be it substations, power plants, seaports, data centers, oil & gas industries, or airports, and everything in between.