From Touchless Access to Crowd Management: How COVID-19 Reinvented Physical Security
Was the COVID-19 pandemic a major contributor to the growth and evolution of the physical security marketplace?
The COVID-19 pandemic, which swept the globe in early 2020, brought along with it countless changes, not just in how we live and interact, but also in how businesses operate. One sector that witnessed significant transformation during this time was the physical security marketplace. Here's a look into the myriad ways the pandemic has reshaped this industry.
1. The Rise of Crowd Management and Capacity Limits
The need for social distancing led to the use of video surveillance with advanced analytics to monitor and ensure adherence to these guidelines. Businesses, public places, and manufacturing units became increasingly reliant on technology to enforce distancing measures. Moreover, many retailers used integrated solutions to monitor and restrict the number of individuals entering their premises to stay within capacity limits.
2. Security in the Era of Remote Work
The surge in remote working brought a host of new challenges:
Ensuring Site Security: With many offices and businesses temporarily shut or operating with skeletal staff, there was a paramount need to secure physical assets, leading to increased demand for surveillance and alarm systems.
Remote Control: With on-site personnel reduced, businesses sought out solutions for remote security management, leading to a rise in cloud-based platforms.
3. Health Measures and Physical Security Integration
The industry saw a boom in demand for thermal cameras that could screen for elevated body temperatures, a known symptom of COVID-19. Furthermore, access control systems became more sophisticated, now requiring health checks and ensuring only individuals meeting certain health criteria had access to specific areas.
4. Embracing Contactless Security Solutions
The pandemic underscored the importance of minimizing physical contact:
Touchless Access: A shift was noted from fingerprint biometrics to facial recognition, and contactless card readers became more popular.
Automated Deliveries: With e-commerce witnessing a spike, secure delivery solutions like smart lockers became essential.
5. Reassessing Security Priorities
Organizations worldwide found themselves re-evaluating their security requirements. For some, this meant ramping up security measures, while others, facing economic challenges, had to focus solely on critical needs.
6. The Importance of Supply Chain Security
Global supply chain disruptions spotlighted existing vulnerabilities. As a result, there was a more pronounced emphasis on bolstering security at warehouses, transportation hubs, and logistic centers.
7. The Convergence of Cyber and Physical Security
The pandemic-induced digital transformation meant that the distinction between physical and cybersecurity began to blur, prompting an integrated approach to overall organizational safety.
In wrapping up, the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic forced the physical security industry to not just adapt, but also innovate at an unprecedented pace. This period of change not only revolutionized traditional security tools but also introduced new solutions likely to remain pivotal in the post-pandemic world. The journey of the physical security marketplace during these trying times serves as a testament to the industry's resilience and capacity for innovation.