Converged security will be a gamechanger

The security landscape is facing a paradigm shift. Today, companies must not only protect their buildings, production facilities, and critical infrastructures, but simultaneously secure their IT systems against cyberattacks. With increasing digitalization and networking – from access control systems and IoT sensors to production facilities – new interfaces are emerging that potentially open doors for attackers.

The traditional separation of physical security and cybersecurity therefore falls short. Converged Security offers a holistic approach here, connecting both worlds into an integrated security architecture.

What is Converged Security?

“By Converged Security, we understand the integration and harmonious interaction of traditional physical security – such as access control, video surveillance, and intrusion detection systems – with digital cybersecurity,” explains Alexander Friesen, Director R&D at Primion.

Specifically, this means:

Central database: Events from IT and OT systems are not viewed in isolation, but correlated within one platform.
Holistic overview: Security managers see in real-time how physical and digital incidents influence each other.
More intelligent responses: Systems react automatically and coordinately to threats.

A practical example: If an employee attempts to enter a server room without authorization, the access system registers the incident. In a converged system, this event simultaneously triggers an action in the video management system: A camera automatically pans to the door, records the event, and informs the security control center. This creates a direct connection between a physical event and a digital response.

Why is Converged Security relevant for companies?

The number of interfaces between IT and OT continues to grow. With every networked component – whether it’s an access reader, camera, or IoT sensor – the attack surface increases. Companies therefore face new risks:

Manipulated endpoints can serve as gateways into the network.
Isolated systems make quick analysis and response more difficult.
Different vendor solutions create isolated islands and complicate management.

Converged Security can address these challenges. Through the integration of physical and digital security components, a holistic security concept emerges that offers more transparency, efficiency, and future-proofing – while also supporting compliance with regulations like NIS2.

The way forward

Converged Security is far more than a trend: It’s a necessary step to make modern security architectures resilient and future-ready.

In the next part of our series, you’ll learn why IoT in OT security not only opens new opportunities but also poses significant risks – and how Primion responds with secure solutions for access systems and networked devices.