Page 28 - Security Today, May/June 2025

S M A R T B U I L D I N G S
Paving the Way
to Smart Buildings
By Emma Falck
gence of on-prem, edge and cloud technologies are critical.
In today’s rapidly evolving security landscape, the conver-
The physical security landscape is undergoing a profound
transformation, driven by the rapid digitalization of build-
ings and the evolving needs of modern organizations. As the
buildings sector pivots towards smart, AI and data-driven opera-
tions, the integration of both edge and cloud technology has be-
come crucial.
Hybrid security solutions, which seamlessly blend traditional on-
site systems with cloud-based capabilities, are emerging as an opti-
mal approach to futureproof physical security for smart buildings.
EMBRACING THE HYBRID ADVANTAGE
Hybrid security solutions combine the reliability and control of
on-prem systems with the fl exibility, scalability, and advanced
capabilities of cloud architectures. This approach allows organi-
zations to leverage their existing investments in physical security
infrastructure while enhancing them with the benefi ts of cloud-
based technology.
The hybrid approach can be considered a game-changer for
the physical security market. The reasons are clear: It allows
organizations to safeguard their security investments; enhance
operational effi ciency, availability, and resilience; and shift from
capital expenditures (CAPEX) to operating expenses (OPEX).
Additionally, it unlocks new services such as false-alarm
detection and remote maintenance diagnostics, facilitating a
smooth transition to smart building capabilities. Key advantages
of hybrid security solutions include:
Protecting existing investments. Hybrid solutions enable a
gradual migration to cloud-based security, avoiding the need for
costly and disruptive “rip and replace” overhauls of on-prem
systems. Organizations can leverage their existing infrastructure
while incrementally adding cloud-powered features and capabili-
ties like mobile access, visitor management, and unifi ed multi-site
identity management.
Enhancing maintenance and performance. Cloud-based com-
ponents of hybrid solutions offer enhanced maintenance, remote
diagnostics, and automatic updates, resulting in a reduced work-
load for security teams. The cloud also enables improved data
visualization, cross-domain use cases and harmonized resource
management. Additionally, automation of tasks, as well as uni-
fi ed alarm and work management, allows for customization of
workfl ows to streamline operations.
Improving cybersecurity. Hybrid architectures enable security
managers to remotely monitor, diagnose, and update systems. By
using edge hardware that allows for native cloud connectivity,
robust protection against cyber threats is ensured. Cloud-based
security services also provide the latest patches and cybersecurity
features.
This is particularly important as new regulations like the EU
“By migrating from on-prem to cloud-
based infrastructure, organizations
can more easily connect access
control and video data with building
automation.”
Critical Entities Resilience Directive (CER) and the US Cyber In-
cident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act (CIRCIA) place
increasing demands on organizations to strengthen their cyberse-
curity position. Therefore, security teams can comply with these
new regulations more effectively by providing centralized visibil-
ity, remote management capabilities, and seamless integration of
the latest security updates and protection.
Increasing sustainability. By migrating from on-prem to cloud-
based infrastructure, organizations can more easily connect ac-
cess control and video data with building automation, enabling
occupancy-driven building management. This can reduce energy
consumption by up to 65 percent.
HYBRID SECURITY – THE HEART OF SMART BUILDINGS
Hybrid security is not just about physical protection – it is about
unlocking the full potential of smart buildings. For example, ac-
cess management systems can leverage occupancy data to im-
prove visitor management, reduce food waste in canteens, and
optimize smart heating and cooling.
Intelligent video management platforms, powered by cloud-
based analytics, can differentiate between humans and animals,
automate license plate recognition, and support real-time identity
checks – all while ensuring compliance with local regulations.
Moreover, these solutions enable remote monitoring and man-
agement, allowing security teams to oversee multiple sites from a
centralized cloud-based platform anywhere, anytime and from
any device. This streamlines incident response, enhances overall
safety and reduces the workload for operators.
Ultimately, by seamlessly blending on- prem and cloud tech-
nologies, organizations can protect their investments, enhance
operational effi ciency, improve cybersecurity, and drive sustain-
ability. This lays the foundation for a new era of intelligent, user-
centric buildings.
Hybrid security is not in the future – it is here now. Forward-
thinking organizations are already embracing
this approach to stay ahead of the curve and de-
liver the secure, smart and sustainable buildings
of tomorrow.
Emma Falck is the executive vice president,
Product, at Siemens Smart Infrastructure
Buildings.
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