There is a complex and interdependent relationship between security and productivity. Good security is needed to make productivity possible, but security measures could, in some instances, hinder workplace efficiency. New technologies are enabling security systems to have a more profound and positive impact on productivity by yielding better intelligence to guide the improvement of workplace practices. Multiple systems that work together, rather than separately, improve the productivity of security processes. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How can physical security systems contribute to productivity?
When fused with cutting-edge technology, physical security systems become powerful tools for optimising operational efficiencies, pioneering to boosts in productivity. Integrated technologies that automate tasks, streamline access control, and merge data between business units work in tandem to reduce or eliminate time-consuming manual tasks and enhance the overall flow of operations. Robust security measures — like surveillance technologies that provide a comprehensive overview of premises — prevent disruptions caused by theft, vandalism, or other criminal activities, ensuring business continuity. More importantly, physical security systems play a crucial role in enhancing productivity by creating a safe and secure work environment. When employees feel secure, they focus more on their tasks, pioneering to increased concentration and efficiency and contributing to a positive work environment. Overall, the implementation of effective physical security measures not only safeguards assets and keeps operations flowing, but also cultivates a positive atmosphere for heightened productivity in the workplace.
Physical security systems can play a pivotal role in boosting productivity. When security teams unify diverse data sources, including video, access control, licence plate recognition, IoT devices, and other records, they can make informed decisions more efficiently. Likewise, the integration of advanced workflows within these systems helps to reduce the time spent on mundane and time-consuming tasks. Teams can streamline operations by automating system actions, error-checking processes, and using dynamic procedures to quickly identify the best course of action. Over time, administrators can analyse gathered data to improve their processes. These improvements translate to cost savings and a more productive use of personnel. Thus, security teams can allocate their time and attention more strategically, speed up incident resolution, and increase productivity.
There’s no doubt that security boosts productivity on several levels. In working environments, an effective physical security system is crucial in maintaining a productive and content workforce, where people can feel that they, their possessions, and their colleagues are safe and secure in the building where they work. Moreover, at a basic level, the adoption of access control systems can help to form automated time-stamping processes, which helps to ensure businesses are aware of the people who have signed in and those who are on- or offsite at any one time. Perhaps less obvious is the increased flow of movement that many access control systems will help to facilitate. With fewer access obstructions, people can move around buildings with ease, allowing them to complete their line of work in less time. Finally, progressive security systems possess the ability to grant access to visitors, such as off-site contractors, helping to ensure that work is completed without ever compromising the security of the building and its occupants.
Access control improves productivity in several ways. All access control systems keep unauthorised people out, so no one must deal with them. They also eliminate the need to re-key doors. Systems that track activity can also help you manage your business by learning traffic patterns and adjusting staff accordingly. The newer smartphone-based systems take it one step further by eliminating the administrative burden of managing physical credentials.
Physical security systems with a connected and centralised ecosystem of data and integrations allow corporate security teams to be more productive and efficient in their day-to-day activities. Systems that connect people with critical data and business processes equip security teams with the insights and protocols they need to make informed decisions and mitigate risks before they develop, thus increasing their efficiency. These systems eliminate the need to sift through multiple disparate sources of information, which allows data to be shared across teams and departments to facilitate intelligent collaboration and decision-making. Streamlining intelligence and data to make the next steps clear and actionable creates shared processes and cohesive responses to any situation, which makes decision-making clearer and businesses more productive.
When you look at the Global Security Operations Centre (GSOC), security solutions that bring together all the relevant systems that operators and analysts need for incident response and oversight can directly contribute to increased productivity and program data insights. Add in the ability of these solutions to reduce false alarms, and security pioneers are better able to directly impact the organisation's bottom line. For example, a GSOC operator that continually must clear false alarms over and over without being able to pinpoint the root cause of the alarm (so that it continues to happen) will waste valuable time that can be spent on more strategic security initiatives. Another example might be response times resulting from having to gather critical information from multiple platforms to communicate the specifics of an incident to field resources. Taking response times from 15 minutes to less than one minute means saving time and resources.
Having a secure environment equates to less downtime when replacing or repairing valuable assets due to theft or vandalism. Employees who feel safe and secure in their working environment are also going to be more productive. At the same time, modern organisations have become hungry for metrics regarding the performance and efficiency of their operations. AI-based video cameras have evolved into smart sensors that harvest a variety of data that can highlight patterns of product or employee/customer flow and behaviour. This data can be used to optimise operations and improve workplace efficiency. Beyond recognising people and vehicles, the latest on-site AI learning cameras can be trained to recognise any object an organisation wishes to track and count, such as forklifts, delivery trucks with logos, or even aeroplanes. For businesses that are required to follow certain regulations, physical security systems help maintain compliance and reduce the risk of costly fines or penalties have a complex, interdependent relationship. While robust security is crucial for protecting data and infrastructure, it can also potentially hinder workplace efficiency. Finding the right balance is key to maximising both security and productivity.