Executive Q&A: Strengthening the Silent Backbone of Global Security

As a new fiscal year begins, many enterprises focus their scrutiny on balance sheets and headcounts, often overlooking the physical infrastructure that quietly powers daily operations. Security cameras, ceiling microphones, and access control systems are frequently "set and forget" assets until a critical failure occurs. Without proactive maintenance, these systems can become inefficient or create dangerous security blind spots.

In this exclusive Q&A, we sit down with Josh Vickery, CEO and Co-Founder of CSP Consultants Group, to discuss the importance of auditing AV and physical security environments. Vickery brings over 15 years of deep sector expertise, spanning distribution, contracting, and consulting. Currently leading global sales and vision for CSP, he specializes in helping global enterprises navigate the complexities of low-voltage systems. From identifying "invisible" camera failures to auditing the integrity of aging power supplies, Vickery outlines why a comprehensive year-end infrastructure check is the most vital resolution a security leader can make for 2026.

SecurityInfoWatch: What are the biggest security risks associated with outdated building infrastructure? How can regular checks reduce the risk?

Josh Vickery: When the core building systems are old, inconsistent, or poorly maintained, even the best access control setups and camera deployments can fail when needed most. Aging power supplies and circuits can’t reliably support modern security device loads, and older UPS units can have dead batteries, creating a false sense of redundancy.

SecurityInfoWatch: What are your top recommendations for infrastructure checks to improve building security?

Vickery: If the building's power is weak, unstable, or overloaded, cameras and access control systems can shut off without warning. To help prevent this, inspect door hardware and alignment, as misaligned doors or damaged locks are among the easiest access-control bypass points. Verify that backup power systems are functioning as intended and routinely test lockdown buttons and panic devices. You don’t want to discover a system failure during an actual emergency.

SecurityInfoWatch: What building infrastructure failures create the biggest security exposure for organizations today?

Vickery: Outdated or undersized power supplies and neglected battery backup systems pose the greatest security risks. These components are often unchecked for years, leaving operations vulnerable. Without regular testing and replacement, organizations can operate under a false sense of security, only to discover the issue during a power failure or break-in.

SecurityInfoWatch: What do you consider the baseline inspection program for organizations protecting people, assets, and operations?

Vickery: Ideally, organizations should conduct health checks weekly or, at a minimum, quarterly. System health checks should confirm that access control panels are online and that cameras are recording properly. Check battery levels on wireless sensors and UPS systems, and review audit logs for recent alarms or forced-entry events.

If an access control badge gets misplaced, don’t delete it from the system—disable it instead and flag it. If a bad actor attempts to use it to gain access, it will appear in the system, alerting the security team to monitor for an unauthorized individual.

SecurityInfoWatch: For global enterprises with distributed AV and physical security environments, what is the most effective year-end checklist for auditing system health, and why is this review best conducted at year-end?

Vickery: A comprehensive audit should go beyond verifying that systems are “on”; it should evaluate the actual performance, compatibility, and readiness for the year ahead.

• Firmware: Confirm versions across all devices, including cameras, microphones, and servers, to ensure uniform updates and mitigate vulnerabilities.
• Compliance: Verify that storage systems retain footage for the required duration and that network settings align with compliance standards.
• Integration: Review logs between AV, access control, and monitoring platforms for sync errors or downtime trends.

Year-end is ideal because it allows teams to benchmark performance, budget for replacements, and plan updates in line with fiscal cycles. It ensures hardware and cloud integrations begin the new year in a unified state.

SecurityInfoWatch: What “invisible” failures commonly occur in AV and security infrastructure, and how can organizations proactively identify them?

Vickery: Sometimes the live view works, but nothing is being saved. It’s easy to miss a recording issue at first glance. You must check the system regularly to ensure it is actually recording before an incident occurs. Also, check the IR function; a failed IR sensor can cause clear video during the day but an unusable picture at night. Pull the old video from the night before to ensure the camera is functioning in low light.

Furthermore, UV rays can slowly degrade camera dome covers. Be sure to replace discolored or cracking housings before the image quality becomes unusable. On the AV side, ceiling microphones or DSP units might lose interoperability after an untested IT policy change. To avoid surprises, run quarterly firmware checks and monitor core components monthly using system health software.

SecurityInfoWatch: How should contractors and facility leaders translate these findings into actionable 2026 upgrade plans?

Vickery: Priorities should be centered on life safety and compliance equipment, such as failing door hardware or cameras. Next, shift focus to end-of-life or outdated equipment; these items may be out of warranty or no longer supported, which can cause issues down the road.

From there, layer in user feedback to identify capability gaps. Sometimes, only select components need updating to modernize the experience without a full system overhaul. Finally, consider migrating your security devices to a unified platform; this will make asset inventory and life-cycle dates much easier to track and manage.