Securing tomorrow's workplace: Tips for navigating the return to office

The workforce is coming back in mass this year. According to our recent webinar poll, 76.7% of businesses are instituting a return-to-office (RTO) policy, and it’s introducing yet another security concern that demands your attention.

Securing your workplace continues to grow more complex. The distinction between physical and digital security is blurring. The rise of flexible working arrangements necessitates adaptable security measures. And, keeping up with changing regulations and compliance standards is never a straightforward process.

For our webinar, “Future-proof security: How to safeguard your workplace for the long term,” we brought together industry leaders to discuss how they’re navigating the current landscape and preparing for future threats. Their insights cover topics such as adapting to evolving threats, integrating cutting-edge technology, and rethinking traditional approaches to workplace security. Below are some of their top tips from the panel discussion.

Lee Odess, Access Control Expert: Rethink what access control systems can do

As a globally recognized expert in access control systems, Lee understands that these tools should do more than guard the entry points to your workplace. Historically, organizations have focused on simply “keeping bad people out.” But now, many have begun to prioritize “allowing the right people in.”

This shift in approach requires us to think beyond current applications. “What I find, with the companies I work with, is that there’s a need for a higher level of curiosity of what these [access control] systems can do,” says Lee. In addition to increased security, access controls can deliver better end-user experiences. Lee noted, “We’re an industry that prioritizes security over experience. We need to reset our expectations—you can do both.”

Lee also highlighted the importance of workplace management solutions that integrate with access control systems. Beyond security, these integrations offer insights into space usage and occupancy trends, aiding with space planning and resource allocation.

Nicole Persaud, Samsara: Take a holistic approach to workplace management

Nicole is well aware of the importance of balancing security requirements and business needs. In her eyes, it’s about “moving away from what people traditionally think physical security is: guards, floors, and doors” and focusing on how security leaders “help the business do what they actually need to do.”

In her role as Samsara’s Head of Global Safety and Physical Security, Nicole manages multiple workspaces—each with a different set of security requirements. But, regardless of the location, she still needs to set a standardized security strategy that supports the business’s goals. That requires getting organizational buy-in. Nicole gets it by surfacing workplace data that helps “better explain to leadership how [her] initiatives support the bottom line.”

For security leaders, being tech-savvy and clear on your business’s goals can have added benefits. As Nicole points out, “taking a holistic approach and marrying those concepts together can help elevate the profile of security professionals.”

Julius Jayasekaran, Datadog: Use an integrated solution to build organizational alignment

As Datadog’s Global Head of Physical Security, Julius knows the challenge for most organizations today is not the lack of tools. It’s managing too many tools that can’t communicate with each other. 

Security systems should not operate in isolation. They should always roll up to your organization’s overall operational strategy. So, when it comes to adopting new tools, Julius always sticks with integrated solutions: “With software, one of the critical functions we’re always looking for is the ability to integrate. The desired approach is always to have systems that can talk to each other.”

His reasoning? As Julius puts it, “Integrating security and compliance solutions across your entire operation can help you better understand your key partners and support what they are trying to solve for.” A workplace management solution can ensure your security systems work cohesively together and improve operational efficiency.

Last word: Always stay one step ahead

Security threats are never static—and neither should your workplace strategy. Remember, these expert tips can help you create workplaces that are safe, efficient, and ready for the future. Stay tuned for our next follow-up post, where we'll answer some of the top audience questions from our webinar (even those we couldn't get to answer live).

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