Strategies for Protecting Your Physical Security System

Over the last 20 years, physical security systems have experienced a dramatic transformation. At the beginning of this century, most security systems were largely analog. Cameras recorded onto VHS tapes, access control was mechanical or based on standalone electronics, intrusion alarms relied on hardwired sensors, and human guards provided much of the day-to-day security presence. While these measures met the needs of the time, they were also limited. If a camera failed, it might take hours or even days before it was noticed. If a locked door were forced open, even if it was equipped with an intrusion detection sensor, the system would need to be armed to generate a response and even then, the response depended on whether a guard happened to be nearby.

Today, the systems we install and maintain are an intricate blend of network-connected devices: security cameras, badge readers, motion sensors, intercoms, visitor kiosks, and sophisticated monitoring consoles. They’re integrated into unified platforms that allow for centralized control. With many enterprise systems, responses are pre-planned with instructions for operators for a variety of scenarios at the click of a mouse or tap of a screen.  Many of the processes now involve automations that focus an operator’s attention to be most effective.

This convergence of physical and digital security has delivered significant benefits: faster response times, better situational awareness, and the ability to manage systems remotely. But these benefits come with a new category of risk. The most dangerous intruder may no longer be the masked burglar prying open a side door. It may be a cybercriminal thousands of miles away, slipping unnoticed into your system through a network vulnerability.

The Shift in Threats

In 2005, security threats were primarily localized, with concerns centered around break-ins, insider theft, and vandalism. Fast forward to 2025, and the landscape has dramatically changed; threats now encompass sophisticated cyberattacks such as ransomware targeting surveillance networks, botnet takeovers of security cameras, and the remote disabling of alarms, highlighting the evolving nature of security challenges.

Core Components of a Modern Physical Security System

A typical contemporary physical security environment may include:

• Access Control Systems – Manage entry permissions via badges, key fobs, mobile credentials, or biometric verification. Often integrated with visitor management for tracking and compliance purposes.
• CCTV & Video Surveillance – IP-based cameras offering high-resolution imaging, night vision, and intelligent analytics such as motion detection, secure area breach, fence climb, abandoned object, and facial recognition.
• Intrusion Detection Systems – Glass break sensors, door contacts, motion detectors, and vibration sensors designed to detect forced entry or unusual activity.
• Integrated Endpoints – Devices such as intercoms, visitor kiosks, environmental sensors, and IoT-based building automation tools, all tied into the same security network.

The critical difference today is that many of these endpoints, especially cameras and intercoms, are essentially specialized computers. They run operating systems, store data locally, and communicate over the network just like a desktop PC or server. Access control and intrusion panels also transmit information about connected devices over shared networks. This means they face many of the same vulnerabilities as traditional IT assets and attackers know it.

From Wires and Guards to the Cloud and AI: The New Attack Surface

Twenty years ago, tampering with a CCTV system typically meant physically breaking into a secure room and manipulating the VCR or stealing video tapes. Access control systems communicated via proprietary serial loops, making remote attacks nearly impossible. The security world was analog, localized, and by today’s standards, isolated.

The shift to IP-based devices and network integration has br.ought a double-edged sword: convenience and capability paired with increased exposure A breach in one part of the network can, in the worst cases, cascade into other connected systems, compromising both physical and digital security.  Accessible from both local and remote consoles, the modern video management system is a powerful tool to manage security, but is an equally powerful tool to gain access to proprietary data. A bad actor may not require access to digital files if that actor can see the monitors in a work environment via camera feed.

Common modern threats include:

1. IP Cyber Intrusions – Exploiting unpatched firmware, weak credentials, or exposed network ports to gain control of devices.
2. Tampering – Modifying camera feeds, disabling alarms, or altering access permissions, potentially without triggering alerts.
3. Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks – Flooding network-connected devices with traffic until they become unresponsive—especially dangerous during emergencies.
4. Data Exfiltration – Stealing stored video footage, access logs, or biometric data, which can be used for reconnaissance, blackmail, or identity theft.
5. Ransomware on Security Infrastructure – Locking operators out of their own surveillance or access control systems until payment is made.

Unplanned work stoppage: The Locked-Out Warehouse

Imagine a regional distribution center was hit by ransomware not on their corporate network, but on their physical security system. All badge readers went offline, preventing employees from entering the building for hours. The attackers demand payment in cryptocurrency to restore access. The company has no segmented backup of its access control database, forcing them to rebuild permissions from scratch. A typical database configuration and manual data entry for a mid-size system could be 12-24 hours. 

When Vigilance Works: An Airport Case Study

In 2023, a mid-sized U.S. airport discovered unusual network activity on its physical access control network. During a routine quarterly vulnerability scan, two IP-connected door controllers were flagged as compromised by a botnet.

“Because their system was segmented from the corporate network and continuously monitored, the incident was isolated in minutes,” explains Michael Trent, Senior Security Architect at Sentinel Advisory Group. “Had those controllers been on the same network as flight operations or ticketing, the impact could have been far worse.”

The airport immediately replaced the compromised controllers, patched remaining devices, and accelerated its adoption of Zero Trust principles for all IP-connected endpoints. The quick response not only prevented operational disruption but also protected sensitive passenger and staff data.

Building a Stronger Security Posture

Organizations need to treat physical security systems with the same rigor as their IT infrastructure. Below are proven strategies to harden your network and minimize the risk of compromise:

1. Network Segmentation

Keep security devices on their own VLAN or physically separate network. This ensures that even if a security endpoint is compromised, the attacker cannot easily pivot to corporate systems.

2. Adopt a Zero Trust Approach

Operate on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” Every device, service, and user must be authenticated and authorized, regardless of whether they’re inside your network perimeter.

3. Strong Authentication and Access Control

Replace default credentials with strong, unique passwords. Enable multifactor authentication (MFA) for all administrative interfaces.

4. Firmware and Patch Management

IP cameras, controllers, and intercoms often run on operating systems that require updates. Schedule regular patch cycles and stay informed about vendor advisories.

5. Device Hardening

Disable unused ports and services, restrict remote administration to secure channels, and encrypt data both in transit and at rest.

6. Continuous Monitoring and Alerting

A Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system, combined with intrusion detection/prevention tools, can detect anomalies before they escalate into full-blown incidents.

7. Vendor and Supply Chain Security

Evaluate suppliers for secure-by-design development practices, timely patching, and clear vulnerability disclosure policies.

8. Unified Incident Response

Your physical security and IT security teams must coordinate responses to both cyber and physical incidents. A breach in one domain often affects the other.

“If you don’t treat your security cameras like servers, you’re inviting attackers to do it for you.” — Dr. Elena Wirth.

The Road Ahead: Security as a Converged Discipline

The convergence of physical and cybersecurity is no longer a theoretical concept; it’s the reality for every modern organization. Security leaders must accept that cameras, access control panels, and intrusion detection systems are part of the digital ecosystem.

That means applying IT best practices to physical security, cross-training teams, and building a culture where security is everyone’s responsibility. The locks on your doors and the firewalls on your servers are no longer separate worlds, they’re part of the same perimeter.

The organizations that will thrive in this new environment are those that:

• Invest in secure architecture from the ground up.
• Continuously monitor for threats.
• Train staff to recognize both cyber and physical risks.
• Maintain a rapid, coordinated incident response capability.

The question is not whether convergence will happen; it already has. The real question is whether your organization is prepared to defend its physical security system as if it were your most critical IT asset.