“Using cyber security as the example to follow”

By systems On Apr 4, 2022

Opinion

IFSEC Global

Peter Evans, Executive Director, Patriot One Technologies argues its belief that the physical security sector must take a leaflet from the book of the cyber profession and embrace digital transformation techniques to ensure it keeps pace with today’s more sophisticated threats.

Peter Evans, CEO, Patriot One Technologies

The world of cybersecurity has continued to innovate over the past 10 years and has quickly adopted new technologies and digitally based models to stay ahead of the constantly innovating hacker community. Imagine the use of artificial intelligence, authentication, behavioral analytics, blockchain, biometrics, clouds, deep learning, and more by cybersecurity to advance the art of protection and move to a preventive security model.

Physical security is stuck in the past, using labor and 40-year-old metal detectors based on approaches that no longer meet current global societal needs. Much of physical security still uses work-based analog solutions that cannot keep up with today’s complex and sophisticated security threats. It is time for a change in the world of physical security – it must embrace new techniques of digital transformation in the same way that the cyber world has.

Magnification with digital (compared to analog)

Many industries have improved their speed and efficiency and improved the way they serve their customers through mass customization through digitalization. The transition from an older, analog and work-based model to a digital model opens up a world of possibilities.

For example, consider selling a car. Buying and selling cars has moved from a traditional, personal, simple, dealer model to a digital approach that suits buyers and sellers online – currently – from across the country. The digital process provides better intelligence and more detailed and efficient information. This process accelerates car sales with offers and purchases online 24/7 hours a day and significantly improves the user experience. Consumers are happier and car sellers less important in this new digital process.

Within the digital world, the volume of transactions and knowledge is growing exponentially. This is a big step forward in relation to the linear processes of the old school from the past. The digital world gives us a better scale and a better economy. In terms of physical security, the older, analog and work-based model simply looked at broad numbers and allocated resources. This could mean providing an “X” number of security guards for each “Y” number of stadium visitors. Basically, using a linear solution to solve an exponential problem, which is not efficient.

Users of the digitally-based model can take advantage of technology for exponential magnification, such as scanning and tracking multiple fans with the same number of security guards. Or improving the knowledge of these keepers through digital insights. An artificial intelligence-based computer vision system can scan hundreds or thousands of visitors in minutes, keeping up with the flow of the crowd as more people come to a game, concert or other event.

Switching to preventive safety (compared to reactive) with better technology

Another unfortunate outcome of the old analog era of physical security is that the solution or response is focused on the “point of contact” when an incident occurs. The approach is to insure people physically, not logically. This is a reactive response that has its limitations. At the same time, the amount of social unrest, security threats and incidents is growing exponentially, creating a higher risk at live events.

So the problem becomes – you can’t solve an exponential problem with a linear answer. That is why a new approach is needed.

Image credit: IldarAbulkhanov / AlamyStock

With today’s advanced technology, patterns can be tested online that can help predict an incident before it happens. The security and experience of the sponsor begins long before the individual enters the scene. For example, certain patterns of online behavior (e.g., comments on social media, previous shopping history, authentication, etc.) may signal to cybersecurity solutions that a hacker may be at work. AI and machine learning can view thousands of posts on social networks or other behaviors, link that information, and provide practical insights and predict events based on discovery patterns.

In the world of physical security, AI cameras can scan a crowd approaching a stadium and look for unusual patterns or incidents of unrest in a parking lot, or alert individuals that AI engines have previously identified as risks or threats. Security guards and law enforcement can be proactively alerted – before people reach the gate.

Better in-game user experience.

An additional complexity with the inherited approach to physical security is the poor user experience caused by these work-based processes. Fences, safety sticks, guards, long lines and crowds or other old methods are considered by many to be a nuisance and can make going to a game or event more of a hassle than a fun experience (that people today are paying high ticket prices). The television experience has improved for sporting events, and as ticket prices continue to rise, a negative experience at the stadium (security) could be enough to keep people at home watching the game in their living rooms.

A digital approach to physical security can help us cover more areas and more threats – faster – with the same amount of security staff and a better user experience. The same kind of scale that other industries have seen with digitalization, including cyber security, can be achieved in the physical security sector. We can get people to the door faster – and safer – with a better overall experience.

It is time to raise the game of physical security

All in all, we have seen that technology and digitalisation are driving important changes – and improvements – in many industries, and this has benefited both people and companies. Imagine that this same digitalization can be applied to physical security. We can make our stadiums and arenas safer and more efficient, while at the same time improving the patron experience, creating a “triple victory” in a sector that needs to move away from its linear approaches from the past based on work.

About the author

Peter Evans is the CEO of Patriot One Technologies, a provider of technology solutions for screening users based on artificial intelligence. He has more than 20 years of executive experience in forming, developing and managing businesses and teams, and initiating aggressive business growth.

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Embracing Digital Transformation in Physical Security: “Using Cyber Security as an Example to Follow” Why the physical security sector should adopt digital transformation techniques to ensure it keeps up with today’s sophisticated threats.