Physical security that was often a second thought weighing against information security, is entirely changing its pose today. With threats starting from people inside an organization to external entities, organizations across the globe struggle for managing their security posture day by day. Apart from cybersecurity solutions that safeguard an organization’s digital assets, the spotlight has moved into areas of physical security techniques including access control, video surveillance, and intrusion detection systems.
Technological advancements has paved its way for the revolution of various innovative solutions such as advanced AI embedded facial recognition systems and RFID tags for enhanced physical security. In the current scenario, adapting technological advancements like cloud-based capabilities prominent for video data storage, access control as a service (ACaaS), IP technology, and wireless locks ensure that physical security finds a prominent place in the industry. Using these technologies, today’s security market can move significantly towards comprehensive end-to-end technology solutions.
With expertise in various physical security technology, several companies are in a voyage for assisting clients by providing an efficient physical security solution for a better future. To help CTOs, CIOs, and CEOs find the right Physical Security Technology solution provider, a distinguished selection panel comprising of CEOs, CIOs, VCs, industry analysts, and our magazine’s editorial board has selected a list of Physical Security Technology solution providers that exhibit innovative technologies and strategies.
We have considered the vendor’s ability in building solutions and services that effectively yet economically constitute a Physical Security Technology offering, keeping in mind the factor of time-focused delivery. We present to you CIOReview’s “10 Most Promising Physical Security Technology Solution Providers – 2018.”
The era of integrated identity management is upon us,” states Piyush Sodha, CEO of Kastle Systems, a leader in managed electronic security systems. The world has witnessed numerous manifestations of identity from simple access cards for physical and email addresses with passwords for logical, to electronic identity programs like authorized access authenticated by your mobile device and biometrics (fingerprints and iris). The benefits of enhanced security and ease of administration with centralized control and management for access – by having an integrated identity approach – cannot be overstated.
“Kastle Systems delivers a holistic view of the work environment and builds a security solution to suit each unique space”
Historically, identity management has been handled through a series of disparate systems which creates a myriad of complexities and vulnerabilities. The C-Suite, therefore, had to deal with inconsistent customer experiences, greater security risks and inefficiencies from both a cost and time point of view.
With the growing importance of physical security in the enterprise space, and the need to integrate and harmonize disparate systems, “CIOs are now focusing their attention on the ease, flexibility, and security offered by integrated identity management platforms,” states Brian Eckert, CMO of Kastle Systems. For 45 years, Kastle Systems has been catering to the commercial real estate, enterprise business, multifamily, law firm, education, and government sectors by providing security solutions such as access control, video surveillance, fire and life safety, and visitor management. Kastle Systems provides these security elements in the form of a managed service where the customer leverages the economies of scale of Kastle alongside the expert services that ensure operational reliability, business continuity, mission critical 24×7 monitoring, and even advanced innovations in business intelligence.
“The firm delivers a holistic view of the work environment and builds a solution to suit each unique space,” states Sodha. Following an assessment of a client’s environment, Kastle Systems designs a “one platform, one identity, one database” solution for the client with their cloud and mobile-based architecture. This “oneness” experience administered across all client locations delivers integrated physical security as well as energy, operational, and occupancy efficiency – through an understanding of who accessed which spaces when, and the insights gleaned from aggregating this information over time, while maintaining the strictest privacy standards. Kastle Systems recognizes that the needs of no two spaces are identical, making it a preferred choice among vendors.
“Data standards allow different systems and devices to tie together, cohesively,” says CTO, Mohammad Soleimani. To help CIOs handle systems that lack a communication standard between devices, Team Kastle brought the concept of an access interoperability specification to the Physical Security Interoperability Alliance (PSIA) board. With the adoption of the standard by leaders in the industry like Microsoft and Honeywell, the goal of increased interoperability across both physical and logical systems is within reach.
Kastle Systems also provides sensor monitoring services such as room and equipment temperature monitoring and equipment tamper monitoring. Furthermore, paying heed to customers’ concerns about events such as an active shooting or fire, Kastle Systems created a mobile panic button whereby the location of individuals can be identified in the event of an emergency.
Kastle Systems’ web-based tools for centralized visibility and control, mobile capabilities, and off-site hosting with superior system backup are being utilized by the likes of Seyfarth Shaw, Grant Thornton, BDO and thousands of large global enterprises across the United States. Experiencing growth of record magnitude in 2017, Kastle Systems intends to expand into Europe and throughout more cities in the US. Running a central processor-rich, data-rich, easily accessible-fromanywhere fabric of providing security to companies since 1972, Kastle Systems, in a way, “was cloud before cloud was defined,” and their clients agree. The firm now plans to start pushing the frontiers of data usage in smarter and innovative new ways that enhance not just security but business efficiency as well.