Physical Cybersecurity and How it can Protect Your Business
You may think that the physical security and the cyber security you have set up for your company act independently of one another or that they operate as two separate divisions in your company.
Clearly they have the same goal of protecting the company and its assets, but they have very little interconnectivity when it comes to how they approach security and what they are protecting, right?
This is no longer the case as it has become more common for these two to be integrated together and used in conjunction to help protect a business. The need for a unified stance and constant communication between these branches of a business is a necessity now more than ever because of a thing called the Internet of Things or IoT.
What is the Internet of Things?
The Internet of Things basically boils down to being a network of physical objects that have sensors, software, and other technologies embedded in them. They have these sensors and software in them in order to connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the internet.
You more than likely already have this in place in various aspects of your life that are not even related to business. For example, if you connect your phone to your Alexa or Google Home via their respective apps, you are mixing the physical and cyber worlds. The same thing goes for any lights or equipment you may have functioning on a timer via a panel or your phone.
All of these have a physical access point that connects, in some fashion, to another device or system that shares data via the internet. It is a potentially mind blowing thing to think about because of just how ubiquitous the Internet of Things has become in our modern lives. To try and think of all the things that you interact with in relation to the IoT on a daily basis might be as difficult as remembering how many objects you touched before washing your hands. It is just a part of everyday life as we know.
That can be a scary thing, potentially, but it is important to be aware of it. This way, you can better protect yourself and your business from a variety of threats both physical and cyber based.
Types of potential threats
External Threats
These are the threats you probably most commonly think of when trying to protect something via cybersecurity channels or through physical security. These are the malicious hacks that happen on a network when someone tries to retrieve your sensitive data or when somebody breaks into your building through a window or by picking a lock. These are things that should be considered when taking security into mind, since these are now one in the same with most businesses utilizing technology to enter buildings or specific areas. For example, when somebody uses a key card to gain access to a building, floor or office, that is the Internet of Things by connecting a physical item to an interconnected system that can be accessed by hackers if left vulnerable.
Internal Threats
The other, and potentially even more scary, type of threat is internal threats. These are threats that come from within the company either accidentally or maliciously. Typically, it's from an employee who feels frustration with their current working conditions or someone who went into a place they shouldn't have, leading to some type of error in the system as a result.
Both of these are incredibly important to keep in mind when mitigating your physical cybersecurity protocols because the same steps can be taken to prevent both of these while also taking measures to apply for each individual threat. The same applies to both physical security and cyber security. They need to work together while also focusing on their individual parts. It may sound contradictory, but taking this approach will help keep your company safe from all angles.
How to prevent these threats
Notice patterns
Oftentimes, when there is going to be an internal attack, the perpetrator gives signs that it will happen. They can do this through the types of messages they make online, their habits in the office or they might even tell somebody about it before it happens. Noticing any potentially harmful patterns is the first step to mitigating the issue. The solution may be as simple as moving them to a different department or just addressing the issue that they have because once you know there's a problem, you can address it head-on.
Environmental factors
Have you thought about the environment in which these systems operate because that can play an important part in their sustainability. You don't want to have to keep replacing these devices earlier than you need to just because they're operating in conditions that are not conducive to their longevity. For example, you have to take into consideration any moisture in the air as well as the temperature around the device and if it's going to be in a place that has a lot of dust or even corrosive material that can get into it. Making sure that these devices are tested to withstand these conditions should be an important part of your physical-cyber security plans moving forward.
Physical access
Strong physical access may seem like it's a no-brainer, but doing it properly can act as the first wave of protection against any threats you may face. Make sure that any buttons, cabling ports or any place that has network connections cannot be tampered with by anyone except those that absolutely need to such as IT professionals or a trusted physical security company. Some examples of this may be in the form of cable harnesses, physical key locks, tamper-proof screws or even hardwiring your devices. Preventing anyone who shouldn't have access whether it's somebody from the outside or an employee from going to an area they don't have any reason to be in is an easy way to prevent someone from physically tampering with any devices.
Cybersecurity
Make sure your devices are protected from any electronic flaws including the software and firmware. These aspects should be frequently tested for vulnerability, their ability to be accessed and if any patches need to be made. The physical devices connected to these are also just as important since tampering with them could lead to disastrous results for security and the safety of employees.
Plan ahead
Know when your devices need to be updated or rebooted because having them up-to-date and running as smoothly as possible will help keep your system from shutting down unexpectedly. If it does, you also can plan ahead by securing backups and putting steps in place to make it easier to recover any data that’s lost or prevent that data from being lost in case anything crashes or is compromised. Running frequent tests will also help determine the nature of your device and if it needs to be replaced. These tests can be run on all operational levels both physical and cyber to make sure that you are prepared for any possibility however catastrophic it may be. Although, in taking these steps, you increase your likelihood of that not happening.
The more we use and rely on technology, the more there is a need for physical cybersecurity. It can help give you and your employees peace of mind knowing you can execute your mission the way you intended without any physical or cyber threat.
One of the best ways to do this is by getting the help from Kotman Technology which has been assisting companies with their IT needs for over 20 years. Our managed services and cybersecurity training can make your company and your team more security aware and prepared to defend against potential threats.
Kotman Technology has been delivering comprehensive technology solutions to clients in California and Michigan for nearly two decades. We pride ourselves on being the last technology partner you'll ever need. Contact us today to experience the Kotman Difference.