Page 26 - Security Today, March 2017

correlating physical behavior patterns with logical activities, your customer can begin to understand an individual’s intentions. For ex- ample, understanding why an assistant tried to access a data center four times in two weeks at 5:15 a.m. could mean anything. When the data is viewed as a whole, it demonstrates a possible threat that might have been overlooked if reviewed in separate silos. Identifying the access attempts and behavior, and then tracking them, will provide intelligence to determine if there is a problem. Further analysis will deem if an investigation is needed. In this example, identifying an unusual behavior mitigates risk and could save thousands of dollars in server tampering, hacking and possible legal fees.
Demonstrating this cost savings through a dashboard will change security from a cost center to a proactive, valuable way to show return on investment.
Manage Identities
After data has been collected, an organization must then understand who is coming into their building and the risks they represent. Three types of identities enter a company every day: employees, contractors and visitors. Employees are the most vetted of all identities. Back- ground checks, thorough interviewing procedures and recommenda- tions occur before someone is hired. This thorough process makes them the most vetted.
Contractors are considered a medium threat because we know a lit- tle about them, but not as much as a full-time employee. When an orga- nization hires a contractor, they trust that the company where the con- tractor is employed has done its due diligence and vetted its employee.
Visitors pose the biggest threat because they are an unknown en- tity. With a wide variety of visitors entering an organization, it is critical to know who is coming into the building. Who are they com- ing to see? How long will they be on premises? Do they understand the organization’s security policies? Organizations need to obtain as much information as possible, and therefore cannot rely on pen and notebook to successfully track visitors.
When you understand an organization’s operational goals and sync them up with their security goals, you can position your com- pany as a trusted advisor and expert. If your customer’s operational goal is to eliminate paper-based visitor management processes and implement a web-based visitor management system, you can recom- mend solutions that will mitigate risk, streamline processes and even help meet audit and compliance requirements.
A web-based visitor management system initiates employee in- volvement in the vetting of a visitor, collecting the necessary data to schedule a meeting while reducing risk. Employees schedule meetings via the system, which sends an automatic email to the visitor, creating a record of the visit.
The visitor management system notifies the security department of who is coming to the building. Visitors can acknowledge security policies prior to visiting. The system provisions temporary access during the scheduled time and only to areas needed.
Watch lists track unfriendly or hostile guest visits. The system no- tifies the security team when a watch list visitor is coming, alerting the team to take extra precautions or follow watch list protocol.
You can create a safer environment by knowing who is entering a building before they arrive. The information provided by a web-based visitor management system will provide a data centric approach to help determine the number of lobby staff needed. Visitors are vetted and the security staff is aware of their arrival and departure times. The data collected helps organizations properly staff lobbies based on who is visiting and how busy they are.
Streamline Business Operations
After reviewing operating procedures, an organization can use the
data it collects from different systems to streamline processes and improve efficiencies, remove silos, converge operations and reduce risks. Educate yourself on the technologies and integrations avail- able to help your customer meet their goals. Technologies exist for a wide range of budgets that can align security goals with opera- tional goals.
For example, a policy-based identity management system stream- lines internal onboarding processes by reducing paper or email trails. New employee information is entered into the identity management system and is automatically shared with the individuals involved in the onboarding process, such as human resources, IT, security and the department head for which the new employee works. This unifies the process, eliminates errors and improves efficiency.
Data from building management systems such as HVAC and lighting systems can help put processes in place that meet internal audit requirements, save energy and provide cost savings. Using the reporting capabilities offered in policy-based identity management systems, companies can easily meet complex audit and compliance regulations required by the government when the proper data is col- lected and save money.
Security managers and executives will be able to better analyze in- formation gleaned from the spectrum of systems when consolidated in a dashboard or single monitor. Viewing everything at a glance will help make better business decisions. Running reports will be fast and easy. Applying a data centric approach to business will help organiza- tions reduce risk, reduce costs, meet compliance requirements and become more efficient.
Collaborate for Success
To be successful, you as the integrator must identify all stakeholders within your customer’s company and invite them to the table. Secu- rity means something different to each department, and you must interview and listen to gain a complete understanding of those dif- ferent interpretations. Identify security and organizational goals and cross reference amongst the different departments.
Educate yourself on the technologies available and what their unique propositions are. Why is one manufacturer different than another? What is the difference between product offerings? Will the product fit their needs in five, 10 or 15 years down the road? Once you know the answers to these questions, only then can you recom- mend the proper solution to meet your customer’s unique require- ments. Recommend technologies that will operationalize business, save money and mitigate risk.
Involve the security manufacturer in the project as soon as they are selected. This is necessary for complicated environments when an engineer or professional services may be needed from the manu- facturer. Presenting a united team to the end user shows you value them as a customer and that you are willing to collaborate and pull in experts when needed. It also demonstrates that you are willing to work as a team and rely on each other to complete the job, putting the customer first.
Once installed, teach your customer how to make the technol- ogy work for them. Go beyond the basic training, and demonstrate how the data collected can help save money, identify behaviors and provide insights beyond typical access control. When the customer knows how to make the technology work for
their specific needs, you will become their trusted
advisor and partner. They will look to you for
answers in the future and you will have created a
customer for life.
Kim Rahfaldt is the public relations manager at AMAG Technology.
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