A few months ago, in a product session of a manufacturer of long-distance readers for vehicle control, one of the participants asked what was the appropriate equipment for a private access through which a VIP person could access in an armored transport and that the only objective is that the person ends up sheltered inside the facility, for which certain operating conditions were required.
By Humberto De la Vega*
The representative of the factory responded by recommending a reader that met the indicated characteristics and that even offered other additional ones important for the case. Then the representative asked the price, the presenter answered and then the reply of the questioner was: Forget it! It's very expensive!: that's when the representative replied: "I think I didn't understand the case, because I assumed that the objective was to reduce to the minimum possibility the risk that the chosen equipment would fail in order to prevent the VIP person from being assaulted, kidnapped or even attacked." Silence, was the answer of the one who asked.
Risk is the probability of an adverse event occurring that may negatively affect an organization or system, including both people, physical and digital environments. This is measured by considering both the probability of an incident happening and its potential impact, which we know as damage. On the other hand, Security is the set of measures and strategies implemented to reduce the probability or impact of risks. In other words, security acts as the defense against the identified risks. Security and risk work together towards a common goal: to protect people, property and information. Risk analysis allows security to not only respond to current threats, but also to anticipate future scenarios, continuously improving the level of protection.
The relevance of risk analysis in the design of electronic security systems lies in its ability to identify, assess and mitigate specific threats, thus guaranteeing an optimal solution aligned with the protection objectives that are none other than what we call security protocols. In practical terms, this analysis makes it possible to determine the vulnerabilities and possible impacts of each risk, which facilitates the selection of appropriate security technologies and procedures. By understanding the risks, access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, among others, technologies can be selected that fit the expected threat level. Thus, resources are optimized when acquiring devices and systems that truly comply with security requirements.
In relation to the justification of investment and optimization of resources, risk analyses quantify the possible losses and the probability of occurrence of incidents. This not only justifies investment in certain security systems, but also helps to optimize resources, avoiding expenses on solutions that do not add value to the specific context of the organization or investing in technological solutions that can cause greater crises than those detected by the simple fact of not guaranteeing optimal operation under the scenarios of detected threats. At this point, it is advisable to seek compliance with standards and incorporate best practices. Various security regulations, especially in critical infrastructure, require a risk analysis as the basis for the design of systems and solutions. This ensures that the system meets security standards and improves regulatory compliance and allows audits to be passed. In this section, the issue of sustainability appears as one more point to consider in the issue of risk analysis and therefore in that of the technology to be incorporated.
As a practical example of the above, let's take the case of access control systems, the risks can include the entry of unauthorized persons, unidentified vehicles, theft, or cyberattacks on connected devices. Electronic security in this context means implementing controls such as credentials, cameras, or multi-factor authentication to reduce these risks, avoiding or minimizing the impact of unauthorized access.
Risk analyses are not a dead letter, that is, they have to be reviewed and updated periodically since internal and external factors change and therefore the threats and potential consequences of not foreseeing them. In addition, they are the best way to justify investments where the possibility of a threat becomes tangible and the level of damage to be caused occurs, and as if that were not enough, there is also the benefit that it helps us to strengthen the business continuity plan.
In conclusion, the relationship between safety and risk is key to designing effective protection systems adapted to the specific needs of each environment. Security goes beyond eliminating threats: it is a proactive strategy to mitigate risks and reduce both the likelihood and impact of adverse events. By understanding and managing these risks, organizations optimize resources, strengthen their resilience, and ensure a safer environment for their people, assets, and information. This approach enables sustainable and flexible security, capable of evolving in the face of changing threats and establishing a solid foundation for long-term protection.
*Humberto De la Vega, Director Latin America at STID
