The New Frontline: Why Physical Security Providers Must Integrate Cybersecurity Into Their Service Offering

As physical and digital worlds merge, the divide between traditional and cyber security has become increasingly blurred. For Australian physical security providers, the message is clear — strong locks, smart cameras, and alarm systems alone won’t cut it. Without robust cybersecurity protection, even the best physical defences can be undone from behind a keyboard. These systems must now be protected by best-in-class cybersecurity measures that safeguard them from a full range of online threats.

The Convergence of Physical and IT Security

The very systems designed to protect our homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure, CCTV, access control, alarm systems, and integrated platforms, are now IP-enabled and connected to networks.

This connectivity delivers powerful advantages: remote monitoring, automation, and cloud-based insights. But it also introduces a significant digital attack surface.

Even the term CCTV — closed-circuit television — is now a misnomer. Most “closed” systems today transmit data to cloud servers or network-attached storage accessible through firewalls or web-enabled devices. Once online, they are exposed to common cyber vectors such as:

• Phishing and infected file downloads

• Compromised USB drives

• Malware and unpatched applications

• Unsecured Wi-Fi and open network ports

The result? A single breach can turn a security asset into a liability.

The Invisible Threat to Tangible Assets

A cyberattack on a physical security network can have immediate and tangible consequences. Attackers could compromise access control systems to unlock doors, block legitimate entry, or even shut down entire facilities. CCTV cameras might be hijacked, blinded, or manipulated to conceal criminal activity or conduct remote surveillance. Alarm systems could be tampered with to trigger false alerts or, worse, suppress genuine warnings. Even sensitive data such as customer records, building layouts, and security protocols can be stolen and weaponised — turning the very systems designed to protect into tools of exploitation.

While many Australian breaches remain confidential, global cases have underscored the magnitude of this threat:

• Verkada Camera Hack (2021): Hackers accessed 150,000+ security cameras across hospitals, schools, and prisons, showing how a single cloud vulnerability can expose thousands.

• Hikvision & Dahua Vulnerabilities: Hardcoded credentials and firmware flaws in popular CCTV systems have enabled remote access and botnet attacks.

• Axis IP Cameras (2021): Exploits allowed remote code execution, proving even premium brands are not immune.

• Johnson Controls Ransomware (2023): A global ransomware incident disrupted building automation and physical security operations.

• ADT Insider Breach (2020): A technician secretly accessed home camera feeds for years — a chilling reminder of insider threats.

  
  

Cybersecurity is no longer a siloed IT concern. It is an essential layer of every modern security infrastructure.

Why Physical Security Companies Are the Missing Link

Physical security companies have an outsized role to play in bridging the gap between the physical and digital worlds and they should have a more prominent voice the cybersecurity sector.

Here’s why:

1. They’re Trusted Advisors and Lead the Discussion

   Security integrators have long-standing, trusted relationships with their clients. They are already seen as protectors of people, property, and assets. Extending this trust into cybersecurity will continue to be a natural evolution.

2. They’re on the Front Line:

   Physical security professionals are often the first to touch the technology — from installing IP cameras to configuring access control systems. Their actions determine whether a system is secure or vulnerable.

3. They Understand the Environment:

   No one knows the operational flow of a facility better than the team responsible for its physical security. That insight is invaluable in designing layered defences that integrate physical and digital protection seamlessly.

4. They’re Already Selling Technology:

   With customers increasingly asking for “all-in-one” protection, physical security companies are ideally positioned to bundle cybersecurity services — offering a complete security ecosystem rather than isolated solutions.

5. They Can Differentiate and Grow Revenue:

   
   

   By partnering with MSSPs (such as Global Tech Partners), security providers can add recurring revenue streams, increase customer loyalty, and elevate their market position from installer to integrator of trust.

   
   

Put simply, physical security companies are the bridge between the physical and digital worlds. As trusted one-stop providers for all things security, they are uniquely positioned to expand their services to include cybersecurity, protecting not only the systems they install, but also the IT infrastructure that supports them and the wider corporate attack surface. For both new and existing clients, this means going beyond cameras and access control to ensure every layer of security, physical and digital, is protected as part of a unified, resilient security posture.