Technological advancements are transforming the business landscape in countless industries, and security is no exception. While new technology is exciting, it’s also normal to approach these developments with caution. Even as an increasingly large segment of business enterprises make the switch to cloud security, there are many organizations whose outstanding questions and concerns keep them from migrating. In this article, unpack common concerns about hosted security and dig into the benefits of this revolutionary technology.
Enterprises that have not switched from on-premises to cloud security generally cite the following reasons for this decision. Digging deeper into the reality of these considerations can help you more accurately determine the best course of action for your business.
Tackling the up-front cost of adopting a cloud security system keeps some organizations from making the switch. This wariness is understandable because traditional on-premises security systems often involve significant upfront expenses for hardware, software, and ongoing maintenance. It’s easy to assume that taking on an entirely new cloud security system would involve similar up-front costs. If their on-premises systems are still working as expected, why would they take on the cost of tossing that hardware and adopting a new system?
In reality, cloud solutions generally operate on a subscription-based model, allowing businesses to pay for only what they need. Cloud-hosted physical security eliminates the need for large capital expenditures, offering a more predictable and scalable cost structure. The pay-as-you-go model even allows businesses to scale their security infrastructure based on their evolving needs, making it a cost-effective solution for both small and large enterprises. While there is still an element of sunk costs involved in getting rid of outdated on-premises hardware, the actual cost of migrating to cloud security is easier to budget for than many businesses initially expect.
On top of the financial cost of adoption, many enterprises also worry about the energy required to take on an entirely new system. Will the process drain time and other resources for months to come? Will there be a lull in security, leaving the company vulnerable? This is where integrators come in. With the help of a qualified security integrator like Security Control Integrators, organizations can relax in the knowledge that the migration will be implemented smoothly and efficiently.
The idea of storing sensitive information in the cloud makes many security professionals uncomfortable. Mixing cybersecurity with physical security systems opens the door to an array of new concerns. At the same time, most organizations already use the cloud to host sensitive personnel information, customer data, process documentation and more. Rigorous cloud security measures are already necessary for most businesses, and adding physical security to the use cases for cloud capabilities doesn’t change that. Partnering with reputable cloud security providers ensures that data remains safeguarded.
Without experiencing cloud capabilities firsthand, it’s easy to doubt the reliability and accessibility offered by hosted systems. However, redundancy and robust encryption protocols in cloud security solutions generally make this route even more reliable than some on-premises systems. With backup systems and seamless updates, threats are much less likely to slip through the cracks with hosted security protocols. Cloud providers often have dedicated security teams focused on staying ahead of emerging threats, providing a level of expertise that may be challenging for individual businesses to replicate on-premises. Cloud security users gain access to continuous protection while minimizing downtime and conserving staff resources.
In terms of accessibility, cloud security systems allow for remotely locking doors, 24/7 monitoring, integrated features and more — all at scale and available on the go. This level of accessibility and scalability increases business capacity while fine-tuning security measures for a more reliable and efficient system. Furthermore, cloud-hosted security enables seamless integration with other cloud services and applications, facilitating a more connected and responsive security ecosystem.
With a deeper understanding of cloud security and fresh knowledge to demystify these systems, many organizations realize that migrating to the cloud is the best next step for their security needs. In doing so, enterprises can take advantage of the following benefits of cloud-hosted physical security:
Regardless of the size of your current enterprise, cloud security solutions can streamline your processes and provide reliable physical security. Better yet, you won’t need to reinvest in on-premises hardware every time you open a new location or expand your reach. Easily scale your security infrastructure up or down based on changing business needs with remote access and a variety of service options.
Security manager and administrator roles find increased capacity through the adoption of cloud solutions for physical security. With the ability to access security data and manage systems remotely, security teams become more agile and responsive. From budget adjustments to equipment updates, security processes are much more easily adapted in a cloud model.
While the pros and cons of on-premises solutions remain fairly static, the capabilities of cloud security solutions are constantly improving. On top of pushing updates and patches seamlessly to ensure that systems stay ahead of emerging threats, cloud security providers also offer exciting AI capabilities for added insights and value. For example, many enterprises have spent the last couple of years adapting to changing real estate needs for their commercial space. Cloud security solutions can use AI to track how many people use a space on a given day or week to help plan whether real estate needs have shrunk. Facial recognition can also provide an extra layer of targeted security by sending notifications when someone is out of place on an executive floor or a storage space exclusive to certain clearance levels.
Instead of trying to predict the one-time sunk cost of an on-premises security system and the maintenance expenses that follow, enterprises can sign on for a predictable and transparent subscription-based pricing model with cloud-based security solutions.
The transition to cloud-hosted physical security represents a strategic move for businesses seeking agility. Those looking to take advantage of the business advantages of the many AI capabilities now offered in conjunction with cloud security solutions find even more benefits to making the switch. For many enterprises, moving to the cloud makes the most business sense and offers robust solutions for concerns around cost, data security, and accessibility. Our team would love to help you determine the next best steps for your security system. Get in touch today!