Physical cyber security is often the first and strongest line of defence against digital threats. By taking simple, proactive steps, organisations can protect their people, premises, and data - creating a safer foundation for all other cyber security measures.
Why Physical Cyber Security Still Matters
Preventative and proactive cyber security measures and management do not have to be expensive and complicated. They can easily start with some simple physical actions that will not completely extinguish a threat, but mitigate the risks and make an attempted attack less likely. Effective measures could also offer a deterrent to an actor with malicious intent.
It is essential to regularly review and implement polices to ensure that physical cyber security is not compromised. It is easy for organisations to become complacent with regards to this, however proactive physical cyber security is the front line of defence and therefore should be taken seriously and not overlooked.
Threats Physical Cyber Security Can Help Prevent
Physical methods of cyber security can help protect organisations from:
- A current employee with malicious intent to disrupt or achieve financial gain.
- A former or disgruntled employee motivated either by perceived malice towards the organisation or spurred on by a competitive rival.
- A lone actor or group who have identified weaknesses in the organisations physical security to disrupt its operations or gain financially.
Key Physical Cyber Security Measures
Control Access to Premises and Assets
- Use of access control measures such as Key card entry, biometrics or pincodes to the premises or different areas of a building containing assets that need protection. This may seem tiresome when there is a large flow of employees and visitors but certainly worthwhile. This also includes keeping a physical or digital record of who is on the premises at all times. This is effective fire safety procedure but also allows the organisations security to monitor who is in the building at a certain time or day.
- Develop a rolling policy of changing access pin codes and ensuring once an employee leaves an organisation their access is suspended.
Monitor and Review Building Security
- Ensure effective CCTV coverage of all vulnerable areas and physical entrances/access points to premises. In larger organisations it may be possible to combine effective CCTV with human security guards, however in many small and medium organisations this may not prove financially viable.
- Allocating accountability to an individual or team responsible for securing the building and its assets. This may include a simple checklist to be carried out multiple times a day.
Protect Data and Equipment
- Ensure fire and potential natural disasters are mitigated in areas where sensitive data is being held.
- Locate main server rooms in the centre of buildings where possible to reduce the risk of outside incursions.
- Ensure screens at workstations are not placed within easy view from windows or glass walls.
- Secure hardware disposal procedures to ensure sensitive information is destroyed or saved securely elsewhere when hardware reaches the end of its life.
- Ensuring posts on social media/websites of employee access cards or unique parts of employee uniform are not displayed to the extent that can be replicated by others.
Everyday Details That Make a Big Difference
It may sound obvious but even the most seemingly insignificant details can be used against yourself or your organisation. For example, a hostile threat may find out your recycling and rubbish collection routines. If recycle day is Friday, someone with malicious intent may call by on Thursday night because they know that the bin is full. That means there’s a good chance they could find a network password scribbled on a note or a confidential memo someone didn’t dispose of securely.
Don’t assume that every lock is secured, every key card works as expected and every person in a building or area of a building has a right to be there.
Building a Stronger Defence Through Physical Cyber Security
It is clear that prioritising the many small aspects of physical cyber security contributes to a stronger overall level of protection. Combined with comprehensive digital security, these measures reduce the risk of a breach and bolster your organisation’s defences.
