Amid COVID-19 sporting event shutdowns and updates, safety remains a top priority for sports stadiums and arenas across the country. Physical and cyber security solutions are essential to enforcing CDC guidelines, limiting liabilities, and protecting valuable investments like equipment, concessions, and merchandise. Here are five ways physical and cyber security work together to improve football stadium safety:
#1. Integrated Security Strengthens the Weakest Link
When threat actors try to breach a system, they look for the weakest link. In many cases, physical infiltration is the easiest method—entering a building using someone else’s credentials, stealing equipment, or installing malware via USB. By integrating your physical security with cyber security, you gain a holistic solution that’s stronger than the individual parts.
#2. Two-Way Alerting Closes Security Gaps
The greatest benefit of integration is two-way communication between systems that are traditionally siloed. When alerts are delivered in real time to physical security and cyber security solutions, each can trigger a series of actions within the other that prevents a potential threat from gaining deeper access into either your physical stadium or virtual network.
#3. Physical Security Risks Can Be Isolated Faster
Threat detection and isolation are essential to delivering best-in-class security. Smart cameras can simplify this process by identifying which devices to isolate as well as where to sound an alarm. For example, using Cisco Meraki smart cameras, a stadium could issue alerts over the secure network to security personnel when there’s movement in a restricted or off-limits area.
#4. Relevant Risk Escalation to Qualified Personnel
Not every security alert that a system triggers will require human intervention. An experienced technology solution provider in the stadium security space, like Acadia Technology Group, can fine-tune alerts and recipients to make sure security personnel only receive critical alerts that require an immediate response.
#5. NFL Cyber Audit Preparedness
The National Football League (NFL) has Cybersecurity Best Practices Requirements for stadiums related to industrial control systems. To host games for the league, stadiums agree to be evaluated on ICS best practices which are defined through the DHS ICS Best Practices guidelines for stadiums. With decades of experience in the stadium and arena space, Acadia Technology Group helps its clients understand and meet requirements specific to the sports and events they host as well as Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity Best Practices.
Choose a Trusted Expert in Football Stadium Security
Many technology solution providers offer security. However, not every technology partner is qualified to deliver compliant football stadium safety solutions. When hosting national sporting events, it’s important to choose security solutions that meet essential auditing and Homeland Security requirements. Adding these capabilities after a security breach still exposes the organization to hefty fines, penalties, and future revenue losses for not following existing best practices.
When it’s time to upgrade and integrate your stadium security solutions and integrate Industrial Control Systems best practices for cybersecurity, turn to a partner with decades of proven experience in your space. Acadia Technology Group is an expert in the football stadium and arena security space with the solutions, certifications, and in-the-trenches experience to build compliant solutions for demanding environments. To learn more, download our stadium security checklist or visit our arena security webpage.
