Three security measures with a high return on investment

The difficulty in gauging the return on Investment for implementing security measures is precisely why businesses often avoid them. With an often abstract and unquantifiable return, security spending is often seen as just that… Spending.

The ROI of robust access control systems

Access control systems are the technology behind regulating who can enter specific physical areas within a business. These systems have gone way beyond locks and keys, where they now use biometrics and mobile credentials within cloud-based management platforms. This allows for pre-authorization into buildings, making it easy to keep tabs on who is visiting, when, and any pre-defined cut-off.

A modern access control system typically delivers a positive ROI by cutting down on in-person checks upon entry of the building, along with streamlining how access is authorised. Most importantly, the risk of vandalism and security breaches (intentional or otherwise) would be lowered. With stronger compliance and long-term gains in efficiency, it’s clear to see the validity of the investment.

Mitigating major risks with privileged account management

Privileged Access Management has become a popularised cybersecurity strategy, focusing on controlling and monitoring accounts with elevated permissions within an organization’s IT environment. These privileged accounts are often used by system administrators and possess extensive access rights to critical systems, along with sensitive data and other core infrastructure. 

When compromised, they represent a huge, catastrophic risk that can even become an existential threat. It leads to data breaches and ransomware attacks, and significant operational disruption, with attackers frequently targeting these credentials. 

PAM solutions help mitigate these risks by implementing stricter controls, like securing credentials in encrypted vaults and automatically rotating passwords. The investment here is relatively minimal, with it being mostly about implementing some new processes and training. It will minimise your risk of tripping over GDPR compliance too, which comes with heavy fines.

Upgrading security and efficiency with smart locks

Physically security, once again, cannot be overlooked. Smart locks are electronic locks that are a clear upgrade from traditional key-based systems which many businesses still use, particularly those in warehouses and older office blocks. And, they’re not a big investment, with NFC, Bluetooth sensors and similar technology now being highly affordable.

Smart locks are keyless, often via smartphone apps and RFID cards. This doesn’t only limit who comes into the work space, but it logs who has been, which is important for both compliance and as a deterrent. 

For a direct measure of return, there are even operational efficiencies by simply being quicker in operating doors (which adds up in high-traffic areas), and it’s much cheaper and faster to distribute new keys for visitors and new employees – the process can be as simple as having them remotely download an app and sign up. But, the true return will be in reducing risks of breaches, stolen property, and shoulder surfing.

Security as an investment, not an expense

Security isn’t just an expense, but a way to minimise paying out for breaches, stolen goods and noncompliance fines. Therefore, it could be viewed as an insurance with varying levels of protection – but that doesn’t justly represent the full extent of operational streamlining that can come as a second benefit, with immediate returns.