The Internet of Things (IoT) has definitely made its mark on the security industry, connecting intelligent security devices into one system that can yield huge amounts of data for analysis. However, as data is stored on the Cloud, IoT raises the issue about cybersecurity. Currently, many systems integrators (SIs) s
The Internet of Things (IoT) has definitely made its mark on the security industry, connecting intelligent security devices into one system that can yield huge amounts of data for analysis. However, as data is stored on the Cloud, IoT raises the issue about cybersecurity.
Currently, many systems integrators (SIs) still feel that this isn't an immediate concern. However, the tide is turning and an increasing number of SIs are making this a priority.
One such company is Singapore-based ST Electronics, which has an extensive background in integrating security for key installations such as prisons, government building, big institutions and commercial banks. “Cybersecurity and physical security are often together. That's why when we do systems integrations, we cannot separate them. This is because we connect everything right now,” said Eric Chan, Vice President, ST Electronics.
According to Chan, although IoT might not be a good thing from a security perspective, it does play an important role in video surveillance. An example would be one of the projects the company designed for a museum in Shanghai, China. Through an integrated security system featuring facial recognition and video analysis, the museum staff are now able to identify suspicious behavioral patterns and monitor people of interest.
As more devices or systems get interconnected, however, the problem of cybersecurity is heightened. “The more intelligent systems the clients ask for, the more you have to protect this, protect the storage… If you look at the system's architecture, its configuration is very complicated because we need to have a back-up system,” he said. “In cases like the prison system controls in the control center, how can you disable the control center and transfer it to a different command center? All these systems have to be built with redundancy, with a back-up system, high reliability and disaster recovery.”
Although this might stump a lot of security professionals, ST Electronics saw this as a potential area to expand into. “That is why in this area, our services have gone beyond physical security, cabling and installation…Why are we doing this? It's because it is here that we can do a lot of value-added,” said Chan.
ST Electronics has since concentrated their efforts in providing services in both realms. “Our company is focused on two areas. Physical security, where we focus on system integrity in terms of encryption and communication between devices,” shared Chan. “We also have a specialized department that is focused on cybersecurity. Our clients can come to us for training. We can simulate a cyberattack and teach them how to defend against it. This concept and training makes cybersecurity one of our strengths.”
It is evident that the importance of cybersecurity in security systems will only continue to rise in the near future. “Just to give you an example, companies like Seagate, Intel, IBM and Cisco, they didn't take part in security before. Why are they involved in security right now? This is a result of technology evolving, having IoT and video surveillance transitioning from analog to IP,” commented Chan.
He later added, “This market is evolving. But the moment you're evolving this way, you can't disconnect it from cyber, because in the IP world, cyber is the technique, security is especially connected.”
Therefore, the importance of SIs educating themselves and their clients on cybersecurity cannot be underestimated as they play an integral role in ensuring that the systems are protected against attacks. “If I was given a security system and the backdoor was not secured, who will be responsible? The SIs,” said Chan.