Choosing the Right Solution

• By Laurent Villeneuve
• Nov 26, 2024

Today, there is a strong shift from on-prem installations to cloud or hybrid-cloud deployments. As reported in the 2024 Genetec State of Physical Security report, 66% of end users said they will move to managing or storing more physical security in the cloud over the next two years.

With this shift underway, more cloud solutions have entered the market. It can be challenging to choose the one that’s best for your organization. Here are a few top considerations that can help.

Must Haves for Your SaaS Solution
Whether an organization is looking at VSaaS or ACaaS solutions or wants to invest in a unified PSaaS solution, a few key criteria should remain top of mind. These factors won’t only help your organization transition to the cloud with ease, but you can do it while capitalizing on existing investments and staying adaptable as new changes come up.

Open architecture. An open architecture solution gives your organization the flexibility to keep existing devices and systems. You can also choose to swap them out and select the vendors and devices that best suit your application and budget. Whether it’s access control readers, video cameras, intercoms, or intrusion sensors, you decide which brands and solutions work best. An open architecture also ensures that your organization can add new technologies and consider different system integrations.

Deployment flexibility. A hybrid-cloud solution provides the ultimate deployment flexibility because you decide exactly how you want to set up each system and site. You may have sites that are fully on-premises, some sites that are fully cloud-hosted, and other sites that are connected to the cloud with edge devices or cloud-managed appliances. You can convert one site over to the cloud at a time or trial new cloud-based features and applications when opportunities arise. Also, whether you have system components at the edge, on-premises, or in the cloud, your team manages everything from a centralized security solution.

Investment protection. Having the option to add cloud-managed appliances can help you modernize older access control or video surveillance systems by facilitating a connection to the cloud. Using cloud-managed appliances, you can easily swap out older on-premises servers and bridge sites to central security operations. This allows you to keep existing cameras, access control readers, and other sensors, and streamline system maintenance through cloud management using an intuitive SaaS solution.

Cybersecurity and trust. Choosing a SaaS solution that has been built with cybersecurity and privacy in mind can make all the difference. This provides advanced cybersecurity defenses and default privacy protection alongside numerous built-in tools to enhance risk mitigation and compliance. The vendor should be forthcoming about all certifications and compliance standards.

These include self-assessments, third-party audit reports, and documentation about data, sub-processors, and network security.

Ask These Questions to Get the Most from a SaaS Solution
Open architecture. Can the SaaS solution work with various devices and vendors to ensure it won’t become obsolete? Can we choose solutions that best fit our physical security deployment and support our desired outcomes?

Proven scalability. How easily can the system scale to accommodate future growth or changes in our organization? Can the SaaS solution support a growing number of devices across global sites alongside increased processing demands?

Unified security operations. Does the solution allow us to seamlessly manage and operate with other security systems and infrastructure? Can it manage all physical security systems across our sites, whether cloud or on-premises, to simplify operations?

Maintenance and management. Is there a way to simplify system management and automate maintenance tasks to better optimize our IT and security resources? Does the SaaS solution allow us to outsource system health monitoring and optimization to channel partners?

Data security and privacy. Does this system give us all the necessary tools and measures to uphold data and privacy compliance across our organization? What is the system’s track record for reliability and uptime, and what measures are in place for backup and disaster recovery?

Upgrades and innovation. How easily can the system be upgraded to incorporate new features or technologies without significant disruption? Will we get continuous access to the latest capabilities and features when they’re released?

Cost structure. Is the pricing model flexible enough to accommodate future changes in the organization? Does the SaaS solution allow us to purchase connections that can apply to cameras, readers, or other sensors?

Partner support and trust. What level of support and guidance can we expect before, during, and after our deployment from the SaaS provider and channel partner? Are there signs that we can trust this vendor and that they will continue to support and develop the solution in the future?

Investing in a Forward-thinking SaaS Solution
In the search for the right SaaS product, focus on choosing an open and unified PSaaS solution. You’ll have the flexibility to start with VSaaS, AcaaS, or other physical security solutions in the cloud while enabling new features when you’re ready.

Considering a hybrid-cloud deployment and using cloud-managed appliances can further streamline the transition to the cloud. Not only can your organization accommodate existing infrastructure, requirements, and policies, but you’ll be able to centrally manage all your systems and sites, whether cloud, edge, or on-premises, from one intuitive cloud-native platform.

With this level of freedom and adaptability, you can evolve your physical security deployment in any way you choose. It also ensures you remain confident and in control no matter the requirements or opportunities that come up later on.

This article originally appeared in the November / December 2024 issue of Security Today.