Applying security technology to business continuity and operational efficiency was a major theme for 2018, and will be especially important in 2019. As technology is an integral part of business operations - and with cybersecurity risks at an all-time high - many organizations are utilizing their security platforms beyond traditional applications to improve operations and increase efficiency.

In today’s digital age, it is crucial for businesses to have streamlined, effective and intelligent security management systems that ensure sustained safety for an organization. And it is just as important to make the most of the time and money invested in security software as it is in the security system itself. The right software platform can be a workforce multiplier for organizations who invest in it, improving organizations’ efficiency and reducing the number of required resources.

Here are three ways that security technology improves business operations and business continuity in the face of new and unpredictable challenges:

Mitigating Organizational Risk

Many corporations consist of large groups of close-proximity buildings that host employees along with sensitive customer and financial data, which can lead to a range of challenges concerning security tactics. Organizations must monitor a variety of risks, including insider threats, natural disasters, terror attacks, cyberattacks and theft of intellectual property. Adding to this growing data collection and analysis, corporations must know about activities taking place in the surrounding areas near campus locations, because in critical situations, it is necessary that potential events are quickly recognized so the correct responses can be deployed.

Through the use of a security software platform that operates through an open architecture platform using a browser-based interface to share information, a common operating picture is created across security systems, building management systems, and IT systems – all of which are major components to keeping business operations running smoothly and securely in the face of an unexpected security event.

Meeting Compliance Standards

A Converged Security and Information Management (CSIM) platform seamlessly incorporates new software with a company’s specific compliance standards to make the organization run more efficiently and securely. By leveraging existing security infrastructure on a global scale, corporations will be able to reduce costs, mitigate risk and meet compliance requirements.

Recent global cyber events underscore how important this is. In 2018, it was announced that UK companies could face fines of up to $20 million or four percent of global turnover if they fail to protect themselves from cyberattacks. WannaCry has impacted about 300,000 computers and 200,000 end users worldwide, including the National Health Service hospitals of England and Scotland. During the attack, ambulances had to be diverted, critical surgeries were canceled, and care teams were left scrambling to access patient data.

This points to the fact that an adequate cybersecurity platform needs more than just cyber software, but a way to quickly respond and take the appropriate action, and that requires a converged software capability to analyze and react in real time to threats.

Overcoming Logistical Challenges

While managing crises can be challenging for all organizations, it is particularly challenging for organizations with non-traditional structures, specifically matrix and projectized organization structures. These structures are often seen in law firms, consulting practices and technology companies. The lack of a clear hierarchy, a focus on projects and cases rather than functional areas, and the mission of these organizations can interfere with the chain of command often used to manage crises in organizations.

This decentralized structure can also offer substantial benefits to global organizations if their structure is considered in crisis management documentation, training and exercises. Be sure to walk through case studies exploring best practices for implementing crisis management programs in a matrix or projectized organization structure.

Reducing Business Costs

Security technology offers many ways to streamline operations, leading to a more cost-effective and efficient business. With a streamlined intelligent security management system, your company can see a significant return on investment – both financially and in terms of staff resources – from a converged security platform. When organizations with a large physical footprint are empowered, they can consolidate their security data management into a single user interface.

When organizations use CSIM to maintain security operations, they can experience up to a 66-percent reduction in response time and a 50-percent reduction in false alarms.

As organizations seek to improve business continuity and streamline their overall operations, a converged security platform can be a valuable tool in minimizing risk, logistical challenges and business costs through correlating and making sense of data to provide the best steps forward for your organization.