Genetec says access control has moved from managing physical entry to becoming more closely connected with identity, cybersecurity, compliance, operational technology and enterprise risk.
This insights article has been contributed by Genetec.
Managing access control for a single facility is different from overseeing dozens of locations across multiple regions. As organizations expand, security teams have to manage more access requests, changing roles and compliance requirements across multiple sites. Access control systems are also increasingly connected to identity management platforms, business applications and corporate networks.
Genetec says this has changed the role of access control from primarily managing physical entry to becoming more closely connected with identity, cybersecurity, compliance, operational technology and enterprise risk. The company sees this as particularly relevant in the Middle East, where smart cities, critical infrastructure and large commercial and government environments are creating increasingly connected security operations.
Access control is part of the enterprise attack surface
According to Genetec, access control systems can generate and store sensitive information, connect to enterprise networks and integrate with other business systems. Readers, controllers, credentials and management software therefore need to be considered alongside endpoints, networks, cloud services and identity platforms when assessing security risks.
Genetec says organizations need greater visibility into system health and administrative access, as well as the ability to identify and address vulnerabilities. This includes assessing how communications are protected, how users are authenticated, how software updates are applied and whether security policies are consistently enforced across locations.
“As access control becomes more connected to enterprise networks and business applications, it can no longer be managed in isolation from wider cybersecurity and governance strategies,” said Hassan Makki, Area Sales Director at Genetec Inc. “For organizations across the Middle East, consistent policies, shared visibility and closer collaboration between physical security and IT teams will be essential to managing risk as operations continue to grow and become more interconnected.”
Standardization can strengthen access governance
As organizations expand, maintaining consistent access policies can become more difficult. New facilities, acquisitions, contractors, temporary workers and changes in organizational structures can add complexity to access management.
Different locations may use different processes for credentialing employees, approving access requests or reviewing permissions. Security teams may also be managing multiple systems while trying to apply common policies across their operations.
Genetec argues that without a clear governance framework, these differences can create gaps in access management. Employees may retain access longer than necessary, permissions may vary between locations, and security teams may have difficulty determining which policies apply across different sites.
The company recommends greater standardization as organizations scale their access control operations, particularly where manual processes and multiple systems are involved.
Shared visibility can support better access decisions
Managing access across multiple locations can also be difficult when security teams do not have a complete view of permissions, credential activity and security events.
Genetec says access to reliable and centralized information can help organizations make more informed access decisions and respond more effectively when issues arise. It can also support collaboration between physical security, IT, compliance and risk management teams involved in access-related decisions.
For organizations across the Middle East, Genetec says clearer governance, consistent policies and greater visibility can help support access control, as physical and digital security environments become more interconnected.
