Whether you own a business or home, keeping it safe is critical. But sometimes even the most vigilant safety measures aren't enough to keep out intruders. I own a small food store in my neighborhood. I didn't use a security system or camera to monitor my store. Instead, I relied on my employees and other businesses to keep an eye out for crime. But one night after closing time, someone broke into my store and stole money and many other items. Because I didn't have a security camera or alarm in place, the police couldn't take immediate action to apprehend the thief. I learned a valuable lesson that night. I took action and had a security system installed on the premises. It was the best decision I ever made. My blog offers tips on how to keep your company or home safe. Remember, safety should always be first.
While it's a good idea to practice common sense cybersecurity measures as a bare minimum, it's also important not to neglect the physical security concerns associated with cybersecurity. Protecting sensitive data, computer systems, and important information isn't all about software solutions. You also need to consider physical security as well. But, what does physical security mean in relation to cybersecurity?
Physical Security Facets of Cybersecurity
You can employ a lot of different software methods to protect the data on your computing hardware. However, what's protecting the actual hardware? All your software-based cybersecurity measures can fail completely if a threat actor can simply access the hardware directly. Mitigating the possibility of unauthorized physical access to your important hardware comprises the physical security aspect of cybersecurity.
Physical security also matters if you use a cloud solution or have a server at a colocation. If your data will sit on someone else's server or your hardware sits on a rack at a facility somewhere, then you need to ensure you're dealing with third parties that take physical security seriously.
Types of Physical Security Used in Cybersecurity
Any security solution you employ to limit access to physical assets can play a role in your overall cybersecurity program. Some physical methods you can employ include:
No, you don't need every type of physical security solution out there. What you use will depend on what you're protecting. A small business may only need a locked door and a camera. A larger business may need a far more robust physical security solution.
Making Physical Security Work as a Cybersecurity Method
The physical security aspect of cybersecurity must also address the culture of security a person practices or a business implements. For example, if you have an access control system, but people still come and go as they please, then the access control system isn't working.
Everyone who may come in contact with your servers should understand the rules set and dictated by your need to keep your hardware secure. This applies to employees, customers, friends, or anyone else. Make sure you not only make use of common-sense physical security methods, but that you also make security part of a policy that you can make everyone aware of.
If you're not sure how much or how little cybersecurity and physical security you might need, then speak with a professional security consulting service. A professional can help you ascertain what you might need and how you can make a cybersecurity plan that will make the most sense for protecting your hardware.
Share1 December 2022
