Protecting the Infrastructure

Protecting the Infrastructure

A unified approach requires technology and organizational culture

Critical infrastructure facilities can be quite large, so protecting them is a complex challenge that demands multifaceted solutions. Robust, cybersecure technology solutions exist to protect facilities of all sizes and types but getting the most out of these solutions requires attention to the human element as well. Communication between departments, training and development of standard operating procedures and interdisciplinary data collection and analysis are all key components. The right technology, procedures, and processes can help you catch mistakes more quickly and limit or prevent vulnerabilities introduced by employees, visitors or contractors.

It may sometimes feel like IT teams are from Mars and facilities teams is from Venus, but getting all stakeholders in the same room can reveal common ground. By harmonizing security system controls, data, and analytics within one unified platform, everyone can have access to the same information via the same intuitive visual interface. This makes it much easier to get everyone on the same page.

Interdepartmental coordination is key. Security teams, facilities managers, and IT departments often operate independently and may have their own unique workplace culture that defines how they make decisions, communicate, and solve problems. Yet when these groups operate in silos, things slip through the cracks.

Unify Security Systems to Bring Siloed Teams Together
Yesterday’s security solutions can’t keep up with the challenges we face today. By leveraging new, unified security software platforms, your critical infrastructure will be better protected, and you will gain new operational insights that can help you improve workplace safety and stay ahead of regulatory changes.

Modern security systems collect lots of data from cameras, sensors, card readers, and other hardware, and these insights are good for more than just security. Cross-referencing this data can uncover meaningful insights that can improve profitability, such as identifying underutilized spaces that could be repurposed for better use. It can also help reduce nuisance alarms, by creating standard operating procedures (SOPs) that direct the system to alert security only if three or more conditions are met.

Within the unified software platform, each team or individual can set up custom filters and dashboards to spotlight the data that matters most to their work, and easily share insights with other departments or external partners. Your SOPs can be automated to streamline operations and reflect the real dynamics of your business. The system can also be set up to recognize anomalies and set alarms or triggers based on these differences so that potential threats are identified earlier.

Streamline and Modernize Compliance Practices
As the industry becomes increasingly regulated to help protect our critical infrastructure, security teams need to modernize their compliance practices with a security solution that helps them meet regulations and avoid strict penalties and fines if found out of compliance.

It is not enough to have established requirements and responses if these just gather dust on the shelf. Utilities must be able to demonstrate that events have been managed according to their security plan, and that they are in compliance with NERC, TSA or other regulations. At this point, the ability to generate comprehensive reports as well as incident management audits is key.

Whatever regulations or guidelines your organization follows, proving compliance and responding to audit requests is time-consuming. Choosing a modern, unified security software platform makes it much easier, as it is designed to record and retrieve the data you need, as well as to securely share files and reports online. The centralized database makes reporting much less time-consuming and eases the burden of compliance.

Organizations can also anticipate potential threats or challenges and use digitized SOPs to guide personnel in response to these events. In the event of an emergency or urgent situation, having a clear and consistent playbook to follow can help maintain consistency and order. It also ensures all teams, regardless of shift or location, fully understand the actions they must take to maintain compliance with all regulatory authorities.

Now is the Time to Plan for a Future Transition to Hybrid Systems
Selecting a hybrid solution may not be a current top priority or option for your organization. However, as your needs and objectives change over time, you may want to investigate a hybrid system. When moving from a legacy system, it is a good idea to invest in technology that not only meets your current needs but can be flexible and grow with you.

Cloud computing allows organizations to scale data management and storage, improve operational efficiency, enable remote monitoring of facilities and systems, and can result in lower infrastructure costs. According to a 2020 analysis by Accenture, adopting cloud technologies typically reduces IT spending by 25 to 30% and the more cloud technologies are embraced, the greater the benefits.

Yet there remains some hesitancy to make the switch. It isn’t just anxiety around change or worries about the possibility of downtime during the transition; it also includes fears about the security of cloud-based software and data storage.

A multi-layered approach to harden your security system against threats is best, including strong encryption, authentication and authorization protocols. One of the advantages of a hybrid system is that the burden of keeping up with software patches and updates rests with your software and server partners, so your IT resources can focus their time on other priorities.

Tier-one cloud service providers invest significant amounts of time and resources in ensuring the highest levels of cybersecurity. These major platform owners have teams and consultants dedicated to monitoring the latest cyber threats and initiating regular third-party penetration testing and auditing. They also actively uphold various cybersecurity compliance standards and certifications and push the boundaries of cyber resilience to help establish globally adopted best practices.

With hybrid or cloud software solutions, you always have access to the latest built-in cybersecurity features, including granular privacy controls, strong user authentication, and various system health monitoring tools. And as soon as the latest versions and fixes are available, they can be pushed immediately to your system. This helps your physical security systems remain protected against vulnerabilities.

The Importance of Good Cyber Hygiene Routines
The Achilles heel of any system is human error. Humans can be forgetful and unreliable — and hackers are happy to take advantage. According to a 2021 Verizon report on data breaches, 85% of breaches were due to human vulnerability - through phishing, social engineering, misrepresentation, or error. More than 60% of breaches involved credential data.

Protecting your critical infrastructure from these types of threats is crucial. You need a system that can converge your physical and cybersecurity plans to protect sensitive information and reduce your exposure.

Whether you use a cloud-based system, an on-premises system, or a hybrid of both, maintaining good cyber hygiene needs to be part of your organizational culture. From training and onboarding employees to the development of your SOPs, cybersecurity isn’t something you can set and forget; it requires constant vigilance and regular updates, patches, and password changes.

Thankfully, modern security software can be configured to include automated notifications and settings that remind or require staff to follow best practices or alert the appropriate team if suspicious activity is detected.

Industry Transformation Continues
Shifting consumer preferences, emerging cybersecurity threats, and evolving regulations have transformed our industry.

The continued rise in demand for renewable energy is also driving mergers and acquisitions between oil, gas, and power utilities. And as these companies converge, so do their security departments. A unified security system can help ensure a centralized, compliant, scalable security strategy. Likewise, shifting to hybrid solutions can strengthen both physical security and cyber resilience.

It doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing choice. Choosing an open-architecture software solution allows you to position your organization to be hybrid-ready when you are ready. You can take your time to strengthen internal awareness and adoption of cybersecurity best practices and make the transition one step at a time.

This article originally appeared in the July / August 2022 issue of Security Today.

Featured

  • 12 Commercial Crime Sites to Do Your Research

    12 Commercial Crime Sites to Do Your Research

    Understanding crime statistics in your industry and area is crucial for making important decisions about your security budget. With so much information out there, how can you know which statistics to trust? Read Now

  • Boosting Safety and Efficiency

    Boosting Safety and Efficiency

    In alignment with the state of Mississippi’s mission of “Empowering Mississippi citizens to stay connected and engaged with their government,” Salient's CompleteView VMS is being installed throughout more than 150 state boards, commissions and agencies in order to ensure safety for thousands of constituents who access state services daily. Read Now

  • Live From GSX: Post-Show Review

    Live From GSX: Post-Show Review

    This year’s Live From GSX program was a rousing success! Again, we’d like to thank our partners, and IPVideo, for working with us and letting us broadcast their solutions to the industry. You can follow our Live From GSX 2023 page to keep up with post-show developments and announcements. And if you’re interested in working with us in 2024, please don’t hesitate to ask about our Live From programs for ISC West in March or next year’s GSX. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX
  • People Say the Funniest Things

    People Say the Funniest Things

    By all accounts, GSX version 2023 was completely successful. Apparently, there were plenty of mix-ups with the airlines and getting aircraft from the East Coast into Big D. I am all ears when I am in a gathering of people. You never know when a nugget of information might flip out. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • XS4 Original+

    XS4 Original+

    The SALTO XS4 Original+ design is based on the same proven housing and mechanical mechanisms of the XS4 Original. The XS4 Original+, however, is embedded with SALTO’s BLUEnet real-time functionality and SVN-Flex capability that enables SALTO stand-alone smart XS4 Original+ locks to update user credentials directly at the door. Compatible with the array of SALTO platform solutions including SALTO Space data-on-card, SALTO KS Keys as a Service cloud-based access solution, and SALTO’s JustIn Mobile technology for digital keys. The XS4 Original+ also includes RFID Mifare DESFire, Bluetooth LE and NFC technology functionality. 3

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles. 3

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area. 3