The Role of The Cloud In Campus Security
Cloud-based security systems present opportunities... and risks.
At this year’s Campus Safety Conference, some of the best and brightest minds in the security space, from educational facility managers to technology vendors, will come together to discuss solutions to make schools and other campuses safer. But it wouldn’t be a comprehensive discussion if we left out one of the largest developments in modern security: cloud-based solutions.
Cloud-enabled Security
Cloud-based security systems are offering a growing list of advantages over traditional on-premise security applications, and Schneider Electric is at the conference to educate attendees about the benefits and challenges involved in making the switch to a hosted solution for campus security needs. Our Hot Topic Meet Up, led by Schneider Electric’s Ray Epperly, Regional Security Expert for the South Region, will feature an open dialog about those challenges and a discussion of how cloud-based applications can address the needs of access to video monitoring, intrusion detection and alarms, visitor management and building management operations.
But while these cloud solutions can provide advantages, there is one major concern security managers should keep top of mind: the risk of a data hack. How can security managers prevent this and ensure that their data is protected?
Protecting Campus Data from Outside Threats
First, campus IT teams will need to implement IoT-based cybersecurity solutions to prevent attacks on campus technology, such as the use of authentication and encryption to protect communications between mobile devices, controllers and workstations. In addition, system manufacturers should provide security training to application developers to ensure that clients are complying with these standards. Facility managers must incorporate threat modeling, secure code practices, extensive testing and more to ensure that their teams are following security regulations.
In addition, equipment manufacturers must provide security personnel with full documentation and instructions to ensure that they are deploying their equipment efficiently, securely and effectively. Many campus security managers are also dedicating specific staff to cybersecurity teams to help provide installation services, maintenance and support with incidents or vulnerabilities.
Maintaining Campus Data Security: The Road Ahead
Schools are also tasked with keeping up with the most current solutions to protect against increasingly sophisticated attacks. Evolving processes and procedures with changing security needs will be vital to ensuring security system success. It is crucial for network managers to continually train staff with the latest knowledge to ensure cybersecurity systems and protocols are keeping up with the new and innovative ways hackers are trying to access data.
Like most other industries, campus security will need to continue adopting new technologies to keep up with changing organizational needs. Using IoT and mobile technology can increase the productivity of security staff, allow staff to quickly share alerts for emergencies, allow on-the-go access to campus security systems and more. If security managers ensure that data and communications across their IoT systems are properly protected, the opportunities for organizational transformation are truly unparalleled.
Steven Turney is the security program manager at Schneider Electric.
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