How hybrid access control can smooth your shift to next-generation security solutions

A model that utilises both on-premises and cloud-based functionality works well for organisations looking to upgrade their security infrastructure in stages.  

Are security uplifts on the agenda for your organisation in the upcoming financial year?

If you answered in the affirmative, you're in good company. Replacing legacy systems with modern surveillance technology – think digital camera arrays, facial recognition systems and the like – has become a priority for Australian businesses of all stripes and sizes, from mining ventures with far flung sites to city centre retailers and outer suburban industrial concerns.

It's not hard to see why. With incidents and incursions on the rise, fortifying physical premises and the assets and intellectual property they house is the logical risk mitigation strategy. 

Embracing change steadily

But not every organisation has the financial resources to make a wholesale shift to next-generation physical security infrastructure.

Gradual modernisation is a more viable option for many. Taking this tack allows businesses to align security improvements with broader business strategy and spread the cost of upgrading over several years.

As part of that staggered transformation process, organisations are also having to consider how they'll manage access control – the mechanisms and features that determine who can access specific areas, doors and resources within buildings or facilities.

A traditional, on-premises access control system, with its high ICT and server requirements, can be an expensive overhead; something many technology decision makers are seeking to reduce whenever the opportunity arises.

Meanwhile, fully cloud-based access control solutions may not yet meet the needs of every facility.

Bridging the gap between on-premises and cloud access management

That's where hybrid cloud access control can shine. As the name suggests, it's a blend of both set-ups, one that enables organisations to maintain existing on-premises access control solutions in some settings while utilising the flexibility and features of cloud-based services in others.

For example, critical security devices, such as door controllers and badge readers, might be managed on site, while user management, monitoring, and analytics might be moved to the cloud, where they can be managed remotely, centrally, and efficiently.

This 'mix and match' approach allows businesses to extend the lifespan of current investments while availing themselves of the benefits cloud technology can deliver in the settings where upgrades have occurred.

Unpacking the benefits

And benefits there undoubtedly are. They include simplified set-up, maintenance and troubleshooting tasks that can be complex and time-consuming, particularly for organisations that are managing multiple security systems across multiple locations, and the ability to make real-time updates and manage user permissions remotely. For businesses seeking to contain their overheads – and in today's times few organisations are not – this is a straightforward way to keep a lid on headcount, without compromising on the quality of service delivery.

The burden of maintaining compliance with relevant industry standards ceases to be an issue, too, provided businesses choose to work with an industry-leading vendor that's committed to best practices in all the jurisdictions in which its customers are located.

Select one that integrates robust security measures into its cloud access management offering – think encryption and real-time threat detection facilities – rather than tacking them on as an afterthought, and you'll reduce the risk of cyber threats and unauthorised access in the bargain.

Towards a more secure future for your business

Maintaining a robust physical security posture will remain a pressing imperative for Australian businesses into the foreseeable future. Prevention is better than cure, and making a harder target of your premises and worksites will lessen the risk of theft, wilful damage and the disruption of your operations.

Modernising legacy infrastructure and systems to ensure your assets remain comprehensively protected may be best accomplished in stages. Pursuing a hybrid-cloud access control model allows you to move forward steadily and safely while continuing to derive maximum utility from the solutions you already have in place. If that's a priority for your business in the upcoming financial year, it's mission critical technology that should sit at the heart of your security stack.