Paving the Way to Smart Buildings

In today's rapidly evolving security landscape, the convergence of on-prem, edge and cloud technologies are critical.

The physical security landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the rapid digitalization of buildings and the evolving needs of modern organizations. As the buildings sector pivots towards smart, AI and data-driven operations, the integration of both edge and cloud technology has become crucial.

Hybrid security solutions, which seamlessly blend traditional on-site systems with cloud-based capabilities, are emerging as an optimal approach to futureproof physical security for smart buildings.

Embracing the Hybrid Advantage
Hybrid security solutions combine the reliability and control of on-prem systems with the flexibility, scalability, and advanced capabilities of cloud architectures. This approach allows organizations to leverage their existing investments in physical security infrastructure while enhancing them with the benefits of cloud-based technology.

The hybrid approach can be considered a game-changer for the physical security market. The reasons are clear: It allows organizations to safeguard their security investments; enhance operational efficiency, availability, and resilience; and shift from capital expenditures (CAPEX) to operating expenses (OPEX).

Additionally, it unlocks new services such as false-alarm detection and remote maintenance diagnostics, facilitating a smooth transition to smart building capabilities. Key advantages of hybrid security solutions include:

Protecting existing investments. Hybrid solutions enable a gradual migration to cloud-based security, avoiding the need for costly and disruptive "rip and replace" overhauls of on-prem systems. Organizations can leverage their existing infrastructure while incrementally adding cloud-powered features and capabilities like mobile access, visitor management, and unified multi-site identity management.

Enhancing maintenance and performance. Cloud-based components of hybrid solutions offer enhanced maintenance, remote diagnostics, and automatic updates, resulting in a reduced workload for security teams. The cloud also enables improved data visualization, cross-domain use cases and harmonized resource management. Additionally, automation of tasks, as well as unified alarm and work management, allows for customization of workflows to streamline operations.

Improving cybersecurity. Hybrid architectures enable security managers to remotely monitor, diagnose, and update systems. By using edge hardware that allows for native cloud connectivity, robust protection against cyber threats is ensured. Cloud-based security services also provide the latest patches and cybersecurity features.

his is particularly important as new regulations like the EU Critical Entities Resilience Directive (CER) and the US Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act (CIRCIA) place increasing demands on organizations to strengthen their cybersecurity position. Therefore, security teams can comply with these new regulations more effectively by providing centralized visibility, remote management capabilities, and seamless integration of the latest security updates and protection.

Increasing sustainability. By migrating from on-prem to cloud-based infrastructure, organizations can more easily connect access control and video data with building automation, enabling occupancy-driven building management. This can reduce energy consumption by up to 65 percent.

Hybrid Security – The Heart of Smart Buildings
Hybrid security is not just about physical protection – it is about unlocking the full potential of smart buildings. For example, access management systems can leverage occupancy data to improve visitor management, reduce food waste in canteens, and optimize smart heating and cooling.

Intelligent video management platforms, powered by cloud-based analytics, can differentiate between humans and animals, automate license plate recognition, and support real-time identity checks – all while ensuring compliance with local regulations.

Moreover, these solutions enable remote monitoring and management, allowing security teams to oversee multiple sites from a centralized cloud-based platform anywhere, anytime and from any device. This streamlines incident response, enhances overall safety and reduces the workload for operators.

Ultimately, by seamlessly blending on-prem and cloud technologies, organizations can protect their investments, enhance operational efficiency, improve cybersecurity, and drive sustainability. This lays the foundation for a new era of intelligent, user-centric buildings.

Hybrid security is not in the future – it is here now. Forward-thinking organizations are already embracing this approach to stay ahead of the curve and deliver the secure, smart and sustainable buildings of tomorrow.

This article originally appeared in the May / June 2025 issue of Security Today.

Featured

  • AI Is Now the Leading Cybersecurity Concern for Security, IT Leaders

    Arctic Wolf recently published findings from its State of Cybersecurity: 2025 Trends Report, offering insights from a global survey of more than 1,200 senior IT and cybersecurity decision-makers across 15 countries. Conducted by Sapio Research, the report captures the realities, risks, and readiness strategies shaping the modern security landscape. Read Now

  • Analysis of AI Tools Shows 85 Percent Have Been Breached

    AI tools are becoming essential to modern work, but their fast, unmonitored adoption is creating a new kind of security risk. Recent surveys reveal a clear trend – employees are rapidly adopting consumer-facing AI tools without employer approval, IT oversight, or any clear security policies. According to Cybernews Business Digital Index, nearly 90% of analyzed AI tools have been exposed to data breaches, putting businesses at severe risk. Read Now

  • Software Vulnerabilities Surged 61 Percent in 2024, According to New Report

    Action1, a provider of autonomous endpoint management (AEM) solutions, today released its 2025 Software Vulnerability Ratings Report, revealing a 61% year-over-year surge in discovered software vulnerabilities and a 96% spike in exploited vulnerabilities throughout 2024, amid an increasingly aggressive threat landscape. Read Now

  • Motorola Solutions Named Official Safety Technology Supplier of the Ryder Cup through 2027

    Motorola Solutions has today been named the Official Safety Technology Supplier of the 2025 and 2027 Ryder Cup, professional golf’s renowned biennial team competition between the United States and Europe. Read Now

  • Evolving Cybersecurity Strategies

    Organizations are increasingly turning their attention to human-focused security approaches, as two out of three (68%) cybersecurity incidents involve people. Threat actors are shifting from targeting networks and systems to hacking humans via social engineering methods, living off human errors as their most prevalent attack vector. Whether manipulated or not, human cyber behavior is leveraged to gain backdoor access into systems. This mainly results from a lack of employee training and awareness about evolving attack techniques employed by malign actors. Read Now

New Products

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.