International. Convergint recently released the results of a survey dubbed Voice of the Customer, which revealed that the role of physical security professionals has become increasingly complex and now requires intensive IT skills in areas such as cybersecurity and cloud computing.
The survey found that 72% of physical security professionals anticipate that their roles within their organizations will change in the next 1-2 years, with an increased emphasis on emerging technology, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, mobile accreditation, and autonomous solutions.
The high status of physical security is also evident. In fact, 35% of respondents said they report directly to the CEO or other C-level executives, demonstrating how physical and electronic security and risk management are now an organizational and strategic importance.
Convergint Research & Insights conducted its first Voice of the Customer Benchmarking Survey in late 2022, analyzing information from senior global physical security professionals at the director and vice president level, across more than 70 of the industry's largest leading organizations in healthcare, financial services, government and utilities, among others. The study provides information on staffing and organizational structure, budgeting and procurement, and trends in innovation and technology adoption.
Key findings from the survey revealed several areas of opportunity for security teams across industries, including:
Cloud is critical: More than 51% of security respondents reported that they do not fully understand their organization's current cloud strategy. Cloud management should be a top priority for all security leaders, and engagement and collaboration between physical and IT security teams should be accelerated to reduce device vulnerabilities in the cloud.
Cybersecurity should not be limited to IT: Only 4% of physical security teams are leading cybersecurity initiatives for their respective organizations, and another 28% partner with IT. 63% of respondents noted that they are not involved at all with cybersecurity in their organization. Coordination between IT and physical security teams is critical to prevent attacks on cameras, sensors, and other mission-critical devices.
Define ROI to demonstrate business value: 44% of respondents said their approach to innovation is to use data and technologies to reduce labor expenses and optimize workflows and processes; However, very few respondents were able to describe how they measure the success of innovation projects. There is an opportunity for physical security teams to demonstrate broader business value, from conversations about the office and real estate footprint, to utilizing the office to ensure a safe work environment.
"There is no doubt that the role of the physical security professional is changing: the traditional idea of a 'security guard' is being redefined, so as security equipment and capabilities advance, the job becomes more complex and technology-focused," said Robert Van den Heuvel, Business Intelligence Manager, Convergint. "Business leaders must consider security and risk holistically and break down the silos that exist between physical and cyber security systems, and the teams that lead them, to drive collaboration and keep their people and assets safe."
View the full survey by clicking here.
