"Every technology really needs to be shipped with a special manual—not how to use it but why, when and for what."

Alan Kay
Computing Pioneer known as "the Father of the personal computer"


The Convergence of Physical Security and IT is an ongoing series of articles written by Ray Bernard for Security Technology & Design magazine, which explores the convergence of physical security technology and information technology, and its impact on Security departments, IT departments, vendors and management. This is not just the convergence of physical security and IT security, but a larger convergence of information technology with physical security systems.

Convergence #8

The Convergence of Physical Security and IT: Face Forward and Watch Your Back

Convergence Article #8: If the security industry doesn't heed its customers' cries for convergence, IT and BAS (Building Automation Systems) companies will.( Click to read article... )

Convergence #7

The Convergence of Physical Security and IT: Broad Convergence – IT, Security & Building Controls

Convergence Article #7: The key challenge for the security industry is to transition from holding onto customers by means of proprietary lock-in, to holding onto customers by virtue of how well security services and products make the customers’ jobs easier and more productive. Convergence factors have made it technically possible for the security industry to address this challenge in the very near future.( Click to read article... )

Convergence #6

The Convergence of Physical Security and IT: Business Rules and the Integration of Physical and Logical Security

Convergence Article #6: The business itself determines how and why physical and logical security should be integrated.( Click to read article... )

Convergence #5

The Convergence of Physical Security and IT: Integration Lessons—What the Private Sector Can Learn from the CAC Project

Convergence Article #5: Taking a look at the United States' largest integration project can shed light on potential issues in smaller-scall implementations.( Click to read article... )

Convergence #4

The Convergence of Physical Security and IT: Integrating Physical and IT Security Management

Convergence Article #4: This article focuses on what is involved in the integration of physical and logical security, including its benefits and challenges.( Click to read article... )

Convergence #3

The Convergence of Physical Security and IT: Bottom Line

Convergence Article #3: The topic of this issue, the bottom line, actually refers to both definitions of the term: (a) the primary or most important consideration; (b) the line at the bottom of a financial report that shows the net profit or loss. (Click to read article... )

Convergence #2The Convergence of Physical Security and IT: Internetworking

Convergence Article #2: The term internetworking refers to the connecting together of otherwise independent networks. This article examines some of the technical and organizational issues involved in connecting security networks with business networks, and how to avoid some common problems that plague such projects. ( Click to read article... )

Convergence #1The Convergence of Physical Security and IT: Responsibilities

Convergence Article #1: The convergence at the technology level is a natural fit, and has resulted in many security technology breakthroughs and an impressive increase in the capabilities of today’s physical security systems.

For organizations, the technological convergence doesn’t have a parallel organizational convergence. Quite to the contrary. It has resulted in what can be best characterized as “collision” – with IT and Physical Security departments butting heads and finally scratching heads, trying to figure out how to solve the problems that keep appearing. ( Click to read article... )