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.