The Impact of Convergence Between IT and Physical Security
For years, the worlds of physical security and information technology (IT) remained separate. While they shared common goals and interests, they often worked in silos.
Today, these practices are becoming more intertwined. Physical security depends on network security, and vice versa. The result is a positive impact on the industry.
The Background
The convergence of IT and physical security teams can be traced back to the transition from analog to IP-based systems, almost 30 years ago. By the early 2000s, IP cameras were outperforming the old analog tech. Over the decade, the cost of IP cameras dropped.
Around the same time, network access became more widespread, with improvements in connection speed and reliability. In response, the security industry started transitioning cameras from dedicated coaxial cabling and closed-circuit systems to Ethernet and IP networks.
Internet and network technologies became more capable and robust. It was possible to move video data over IP networks to the cloud. IT began to play a significant role in buying and supporting security systems. Computer infrastructure, data storage and cybersecurity became more significant for physical security.
Today, physical security professionals have become much more IT-savvy and collaborate more with their IT counterparts to ensure systems run smoothly. Physical and network security are two sides of the same coin.
Overcoming Challenges of Convergence
While considerable progress has been made in getting IT specialists and physical security professionals to effectively work together, there are some common disconnects that hinder collaboration.
- Their priorities may be different.
- They have distinct ways of thinking and solving problems.
- Their skill sets are different.
- They may not have the knowledge and ability to understand each other’s areas of specialization.
For overall success, physical security professionals must work coordinated with IT, gaining a strong understanding of networking, storage, cloud computing and cybersecurity best practices. These IT concerns affect their ability to protect their organization from physical security attacks and cybersecurity risks.
By aligning on goals and infrastructure requirements, physical security and IT teams can select solutions that meet current goals and are scalable as the organization grows.
The Impact on Technology Selection
Sometimes technology choices create barriers between these specialties, which get in the way of collaboration. When systems are difficult to secure and update, IT teams must dedicate more resources to their maintenance. For security teams, software that is complicated to use creates friction in their day-to-day work and makes them less effective as security professionals.
A physical security team’s choice of technology can also encourage stronger partnerships between IT and physical security. Software that is easy to set up, secure and manage leads to fewer demands on IT resources and improved productivity for security teams. Physical security software that has a clear and unambiguous set of cybersecurity certifications from reputable third parties like ISO, AICPA, CPNI, UL, and others helps reassure everyone that they are working with trustworthy and resilient technology.
This article originally appeared in the September / October 2025 issue of Security Today.
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