12.9.24 – SIW – Luis Coton.
Designing and implementing a physical security network takes strategic thinking and planning.
In an age of increasingly sophisticated threats, your physical security network is more than just hardware – it’s the digital backbone safeguarding your assets, people, and data. While there is no question that security networks are a modern necessity, navigating the options available can be daunting, with each vendor offering a diverse array of technologies, services, and promises. But with so many vendors vying for your attention, how do you cut through the noise and choose the right partner? Let’s review some key considerations.
The Right Portfolio
Don’t settle for a vendor who only claims to have it all. You need a partner with a proven track record and a comprehensive portfolio. Credibility and pedigree often come from years of experience in a market, and this is a factor that shouldn’t be overlooked. Think of it like a Swiss Army knife for security: because the needs of a customer such as a data center are going to be very different to that of a small retailer you need tools for everything from enterprise-grade systems for sprawling campuses to nimble solutions for small businesses. The right vendor should have options that cover enterprise and industrial requirements, as well as wired and wireless and site-to-site (WAN) connectivity solutions.
Design Considerations
Your security network isn’t your average IT setup. It needs to be purpose-built for resilience and responsiveness. Being that security is a service that is considered critical to a business, it is less common for it to be part of a CNS (Converged Network System) where a potential issue with another application could have a knock-on effect on the security service provided. A hospital may face frequent power outages in a hypothetical scenario, putting its security system at risk. However, upgraded to a network with dual power inputs and rapid failover, they ensure uninterrupted protection even when the lights go out.
Another requirement that can typically exceed other networks is around POE (power over Ethernet). Look for networks that support Power over Ethernet (PoE++) to handle power-hungry cameras and other devices. As service availability is critical, where budgets allow, dual power capability is desirable and often mandated, greatly decreasing the chances of devices going offline.
Commercial Considerations
Security isn’t cheap but an investment, not an expense. Look beyond the initial price tag and consider the long-term cost of ownership. Typically, a physical security network will be used for an extended period. Hence, you need to factor in maintenance costs, potential downtime, and the ability to scale as your needs grow. A network that’s cheap upfront might cost you dearly down the road.
Interoperability and Standards
The market understands that standards are important when choosing the right network vendor. Your network needs to play well with others. Imagine a symphony orchestra where each instrument plays its own tune—chaos. Look for vendors who embrace open standards and can seamlessly integrate with your existing systems. Not only does this help to avoid vendor lock-ins, but it also ensures that the entire ecosystem of products that make up a security solution works seamlessly together.
Security isn’t cheap but an investment, not an expense. Look beyond the initial price tag and consider the long-term cost of ownership.
For example, imagine a camera detects smoke, automatically prompting the video management system to put that camera on screen while instigating a fire suppression system. These inputs and outputs can often mitigate issues where a human may not initially spot or miss the problem altogether. Vendors often work together through this ecosystem to test their products, potentially certifying each other as partners to gain credibility and ensure that their shared customers are guaranteed a good experience when deploying a solution with their combined products.
Scale and Global Reach
Your security needs might evolve, and your network should, too. At some point, most people have suffered from poor customer service due to time zone differences or language barriers that can be overcome by working with a vendor with global reach and capabilities. Choose a vendor with a global presence and a proven ability to scale from a single site to a worldwide operation. Often, the IT or security teams responsible for managing these systems will be based remotely, so the ability to detect and manage threats quickly from anywhere is critical. Ideally, global reach should cover the customer’s network and engagement from the customer to the vendor for supporting new requirements, commissioning, or alleviating issues.
Compliance
Don’t get caught on the wrong side of the law. Ensure your vendor understands and adheres to relevant regulations like GDPR and industry-specific standards. Certain markets also have compliance requirements to ensure minimum standards are met for safety, environmental and legal processes. Another form of compliance that is often pertinent in the security market is TAA (Trade Agreements Act), a United States federal law that requires government contractors to source products from countries that have trade agreements with the United States (typically this excludes products made in China or Russia amongst others). Though this is primarily a U.S. regulation, certain UK government departments and subsidiaries of U.S.-based businesses often request or demand it.
Supply Chain
Remember the global chip shortage? Supply chain disruptions can cripple your security infrastructure. Choose a vendor with a robust, diversified supply chain to minimize risks. Many vendors in the network space operate through supply chains made up of distributors and specialist partners who are focused on the provision of security solutions to customers. Resilience here is very important, and many companies learned hard lessons during the pandemic supply chain crisis, which badly affected their business for several years.
Do Your Research
Don’t rush into a decision. Take the time to vet potential vendors thoroughly. Ask for references, read reviews, and get hands-on with their products.
Your security network is your organization’s silent guardian. Choose wisely, and it will reward you with years of peace of mind.
About the Author
Luis Coton | Director of Strategic Channels at Allied Telesis
Luis Coton is the Director of Strategic Channels at Allied Telesis. As the global leader in connectivity solutions and intelligent networking tools, Coton leads a team responsible for growing and engaging with Integrators, VARs, Distributors, Eco-System Partners, and end-users in the Networking Solutions Space Across North America.