In today's fast-paced, dynamic world, the security threats facing large global enterprises are increasingly complex. Equally, global enterprises are focused on streamlining processes and reducing costs. Securing these multi-faceted organizations requires a global perspective, cutting-edge technology and unique insight.

When seeking effective security in the face of fast-evolving threats, large enterprises need assistance and a robust plan to address the challenges inherent to securing a global business. It is especially important to consider the following five points:

Ability to standardize across the enterprise

Every business needs an organized, efficient flow of information. It's a critical factor for organizations managing various data points and systems across multiple locations, regions and countries. This challenge – common to multinational corporations – has, up to now, relied on disparate systems and often manual processes to collect and distribute critical data. This approach is riddled with hidden costs beyond hardware including administrative and IT costs.

When it comes to security, IP technologies today provide greater standardization and a much-needed boost to the required flow of information. Large enterprises with a worldwide presence require standardized technology that connects IT, human resources and security.  Installing disparate systems using different protocols at various locations only leads to unnecessary complexity and cost. Enterprise-focused service providers can standardize business processes and technologies across the entire global footprint. In the end, forward-thinking organizations achieve cost efficiencies, enhanced security and streamlined processes to more easily maintain systems.

Knowledge of specific regions and emerging markets

Doing business in Dubai is much different than doing business in Brazil, but even global organizations often do not have the internal expertise to understand local trends and economic structures. From legal nuances, local standards and regulations to cultural, religious and language differences, each country – and, often, each region – is unique. Global security managers need to stay abreast of the various foreign markets where their business operates. Common questions stem from trends in economic growth and potential competitors, as well as localized problems such as corruption, financial crises, intellectual property rights and others.

To navigate these new and challenging landscapes, enterprises need global-minded service and technology partners that combine wide geographic reach with local presence. Partners with the experience and global network to identify each region's specific challenges and opportunities will help position organizations for positive future growth, while also keeping an eye on the world's emerging markets and trends.

Centralized program management

Program management is an efficient way to identify specific business processes that, when automated, improve team efficiency and open channels to transfer knowledge. Implementing workflow and project management tracking systems enables data to be easily transferred to the appropriate personnel for easy project management.

In the spirit of standardization and streamlined operations, security technology deployments work ideally from a centralized program management structure. This approach is key during the initial implementation of a system and throughout its lifecycle. Furthermore, a centralized structure promotes the fluid transfer of information, enabling corporate teams to effortlessly track the day-to-day operations on all projects they oversee.

For example, a customized global service program is designed to support service and maintenance projects for enterprise clients deploying security technologies across their infrastructure. A global service platform acts as the customer’s centralized port for submitting and tracking service requests online. Additionally, there is a single point of contact for all service needs, streamlined technical support and in-depth reporting.

Programming options tailored to meet unique customer needs

Each enterprise has its own requirements when it comes to the details of a security system, from the number and position of surveillance cameras to how cardholder credentialing is handled for new employees. Global corporations cannot use a cookie-cutter approach when it comes to security. Specific programming parameters include the software setup of the doors, inputs, outputs, schedules, cameras and recording protocols as specified by customized standards. These services are tailored to fit the customer’s needs and are adapted to each enterprise system.

Managing and standardizing security systems can be a challenge for a multinational company, but aligned partners provide a high level of assistance to maximize each aspect of the system plan and to ensure that everything works as it should in order to limit vulnerabilities.

To that end, programming and commissioning services for global access control and video surveillance users ensure a more seamless installation, long-term system effectiveness and ongoing ease-of-use. Services, such as remote system configurations, complete each stage of the set-up process for each system, including establishing settings for each technology platform, edge device and service, and verifying all system functions including camera views, recording parameters and overall system functionality. Overall, customized programming takes a holistic approach to ensure all elements of a large global system work together effectively.

Ongoing support, in the field and remotely

The majority of enterprises require ongoing support once a system is installed. Therefore, service and support, both in the field and remote, are the final key considerations. We have seen the importance of working with a partner with a local presence to providing in-field support. However, larger enterprises can also greatly benefit from ongoing remote support services, especially for the more complex aspects of system deployment and management.

Remote audit services ensure that systems run at optimal levels. During this process, an onsite technician together with a system administrator verifies the functionality, adherence to corporate standards and proper working order of each system. Services include verifying recording parameters, correcting camera views, and checking valid/invalid card reads, as well as inspecting locking hardware, alarm function and more. As audits are performed, a report for each completed process is sent to the customer for review. Any findings that require attention are referred to the local service team for immediate action.

One World, One Call

A global enterprise is an open organization integrated into the fabric of global and local economies. It operates under a business model focused on global strategies. These strategies require cost-effective and efficient methods of deployment. Such companies aggressively pursue high-growth markets to capture opportunity. But with opportunity comes risk, which drives discussions of security and risk management to the highest echelon of the C-suite. To build a safe and secure infrastructure spanning the globe, organizations choose valued partners to streamline processes and systems. Technology and opportunity are changing the way multinational enterprises and global services integrators relate to one another. Now is the time to start a discussion on how to best leverage these relationships.