Historically, physical security has been associated with guarding property, deterring intruders, and responding to unauthorised access. But those responsibilities are rapidly expanding. From climate-related disruptions and civil unrest to insider threats and critical infrastructure failures, physical security teams at the Total Security Summit are now central to managing complex, hybrid threats that extend well beyond break-ins.
These threats are often multi-dimensional and fast-moving, blending physical, digital, environmental, and human risk factors. For example, extreme weather events, floods, storms, or heatwaves, can shut down access routes, damage facilities, and compromise safety systems. Civil unrest or protest activity can quickly escalate into site-level incidents, putting staff and assets at risk. And insider sabotage, increasingly linked to employee grievances or activist infiltration, presents a growing concern for high-risk sectors such as utilities, transport, and healthcare.
Physical security teams are being called on to do more than patrol and monitor. They’re being integrated into broader resilience and business continuity planning, helping to identify vulnerabilities, develop response strategies, and ensure critical operations can continue during disruptive events.
A key shift is the move from reactive to proactive security. Site-specific risk assessments are being updated to reflect new threat categories, while physical security audits increasingly include considerations like infrastructure resilience, emergency evacuation under non-standard conditions, and backup power for surveillance systems.
Technology also plays a crucial role. Remote monitoring, AI-enabled video analytics, and smart access controls allow teams to maintain oversight even when on-site presence is limited. These systems can detect unusual behaviour, environmental hazards, or equipment failures, providing early warning of incidents that might otherwise escalate unnoticed.
But people remain at the core of continuity. Trained, empowered frontline security staff are often the first to respond in emergencies. Equipping them with scenario-based training, covering civil disturbance, climate emergencies, or insider threat indicators, ensures a faster, more coordinated response.
In sectors such as public transport, higher education, logistics, and critical infrastructure, physical security is now part of a cross-functional crisis response capability, working alongside facilities, IT, HR, and business continuity leaders.
Ultimately, the role of physical security has evolved into one of strategic risk management. By expanding their remit and skillsets, physical security leaders are safeguarding operations, people, and reputations in an increasingly unpredictable world.
Are you searching for Business Continuity & Risk Management solutions for your organisation? The Total Security Summit can help!
Photo by Tim van der Kuip on Unsplash
