What is PSaaS and is it Worthwhile?
Cloud computing has been adopted more rapidly in recent years, and we see more cloud applications in security. As businesses return to the office, they need to rethink physical security to futureproof their security strategy against the constantly evolving security landscape. Is physical security-as-a-service (PSaaS) the solution for a futureproof security strategy?
What is PSaaS?
PSaaS refers to a security strategy where data resides in an outsourced data center. The data center allows businesses to delegate data management tasks and provide a more convenient and user-oriented experience for system administrators and security staff.
There are many different applications of PSaaS. The service is consumed on a subscription basis, and companies can choose which security elements are necessary for their plan.
With PSaaS, your security staff can manage all security information in a cloud-based online portal, allowing them to view security data and operate security tools from anywhere. And all your data will be encrypted, with strict authentication processes that ensure your data isn’t accessible to third parties.
Many businesses prefer PSaaS because it helps them to streamline security and allows for scalability, allowing them to adapt their strategy to their growing business.
To help you understand PSaaS further, below, you’ll find a list of the different security elements one can include in their PSaaS plan.
Cloud-Based Video Security
Cloud-based video security helps businesses minimize the costs associated with local NVR setup and reduce the amount of wiring and hardware required to operate their surveillance system. Additionally, it allows all video security information and monitoring to be stored on the cloud. This means that security staff and system administrators can video security data from anywhere using a mobile application or cloud-based control center.
Additionally, you can perform any updates your system needs over the air, doing away with regular servicing. It can be time-consuming for administrators to handle visits from security experts, and eliminating the need for manual updates can reserve valuable time.
Cloud-Based Video Monitor
Video security primarily serves two core functions:
● First, surveillance cameras in plain view will help deter crime on the property, letting building users know they are on camera.
● Second, video surveillance provides evidence should a crime occur on the property, aiding in an insurance claim or police investigation.
Video security is rarely instrumental in helping security professionals to prevent security incidents. Since security professionals have a wide range of tasks to attend to throughout the day, they cannot consistently monitor security data from their surveillance system.
This monitoring gap makes them less likely to spot a potential security threat. Thus they are less likely to be able to act quickly and prevent the dangers from evolving with your security incident response strategy.
With cloud-based monitoring, the service monitors all your cloud-based surveillance data and performs threat detection. If there is an anomaly in the data or a potential security threat, your security staff will receive a notification, allowing them to act quickly.
Cloud-Based Access Control
Cloud-based access control in PSaaS allows you to manage your building’s access control across multiple sites. Using a cloud-based control center mobile application, you can approve entry, lock, and unlock doors from anywhere.
Some cloud-based access control solutions allow you to implement keycards, fobs and mobile applications. You can even perform over-the-air updates to ensure your building’s access control solution doesn’t have long periods of downtime.
Cloud-Based Alarm Systems
Cloud-based alarm systems allow for more agility in security management. As soon as smoke detectors, glass break detectors, or gunshot detectors pick up a potential threat, your security staff will immediately receive a notification allowing them to act quickly.
When paired with a cloud-based access control system in your PSaaS plan, cloud-based alarm systems allow your security team to instantly initiate lockdown safety procedures and measures using their mobile device.
Benefits of PSaaS: Is it Something to Consider?
If you’re looking for a new approach to physical security, then PSaaS might offer a solution. To help you determine whether PSaaS is right for your business, here are some of the main benefits of implementing PSaaS:
● Scalability – Since cloud-based security operates wirelessly, this makes it more scalable and allows you to connect your security system across multiple locations. If you need a security system to keep up with the growth of your business, PSaaS is the right choice.
● Easier access and management – By hosting all of your security data in an outsourced cloud-based data center, you can ensure your security information is readily accessible to your team.
● Secure cloud-based data center – When you opt for PSaaS, you don’t need to worry about the security of your cloud-based data. The service will encrypt your data, and rigorous authentication methods will ensure that only authorized individuals can access your security data.
● Unified security – By unifying all your different security elements under one platform, you can eliminate data silos and make all your security information readily available to your team.
Summary
Since the pandemic, businesses have explored cloud-based options to keep their company operational. Cloud-based technologies and services are also emerging in the security sphere, and PSaaS is becoming an increasingly attractive option. If you’re reimagining your security strategy in light of the modern threat climate, consider opting for PSaaS.
