VidSys Previews Its EMEA Security Survey Findings At IFSEC International 2013

The survey reveals increasing focus on integration technologies, improved collaboration and information sharing

VidSys, a leading provider of Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) software,  is previewing findings from its second annual EMEA Security Survey at IFSEC International 2013. 

This year’s survey of senior-level IT and physical security professionals from public sector, corporate enterprise and national government organizations reveals an increasing focus on integration technologies—specifically tools that facilitate improved collaboration and information sharing. In keeping with last year’s survey results, organizations across the board continue to highlight the importance of implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and are focusing on risk assessment as a key tool in prioritising security spending.

Survey findings also indicate that financial challenges continue to be the biggest obstacle to more rapid deployment of security solutions for some organizations. 

Research Highlights

Organizations Operating Within Increasingly Complex Security Environments

More than 35 percent of respondents reported that they use security devices and systems from six to ten manufacturers, with a clear majority describing their security environment as being composed of multiple technologies that are individually managed (49 percent) through multiple, distributed locations (49 percent).

PSIM Becoming a Part of Organizational Security Planning

With so many disparate technologies and views, organizations increasingly are adopting integration solutions to create a common operating picture and improve collaboration and information sharing. PSIM software specifically continues to gain momentum across EMEA security organizations, enabling the integration and real-time analysis of information and data from numerous sources.  This year’s survey also reveals:

•  25 percent of respondents say they plan to invest in PSIM software for  their organization in the next 12-18 months.

• 55 percent of those surveyed rank the deployment of integration technologies as one of the top three items they plan to implement to improve their operations in the next 12-18 months.

• 80 percent of respondents rank the ability to leverage both physical and IT security together to identify, manage and resolve security situations as “important” or “extremely important.”

• 71.5 percent of respondents say the ability to integrate data from traditional security devices and systems into a common operating picture is “important” or “extremely important.”

Elevated Focus on Risk Management

When asked to identify the areas of biggest concern to their organization’s current situation management operations, 50 percent of respondents named risk management.  In addition, 71 percent specifically note plans to invest in risk management technologies in the next 12-18 months—up from 57 percent last year.

Budgetary Concerns Continue to Slow Momentum

Though beginning to show signs of improvement, budgetary concerns continue to hinder organizations in the development of their security environment.  Respondents say that insufficient budget is by far the biggest organizational obstacle to moving their security organizations forward during the next 12-18 months.

“Today’s organizations are dealing with increasingly complex security environments and technologies,” said Darren Chalmers-Stevens, vice president, EMEA operations, VidSys. “For budget-conscious security leaders, PSIM inexpensively brings together disparate systems in one unified view, proactively identifying potential risks or issues for a real-time response.”