Emerging Technologies and Security Concerns:

These devices will utilize GPS and indoor positioning for emergency response, virtual tours, and assistance requests. Mobile devices will evolve into visor-like interfaces, combining augmented reality to provide instantaneous audio and visual information. We may also see the emergence of polymorphic and metamorphic viruses that are operating system agnostic, spreading through mobile phones, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi connections. These viruses will replicate rapidly and use cloud-based machine learning to establish connections with other mobile devices and networks. Notably, researchers have already created and published the Blue borne exploit, a precursor to this kind of threat.

Disruption is a pressing concern for businesses today, whether responding to current events or anticipating future challenges. This is equally true for security. Historical mass casualty attacks, like those at Khobar Towers and Columbine, led many facilities to adopt sophisticated technology platforms, surveillance tools, and emergency communication systems. The threat of car and truck explosives also prompted a focus on standoff distance in building design to enhance resilience. While disruptive changes can happen rapidly, buildings are slow to adapt. Therefore, it’s vital for building owners to stay informed about potential disruptions and incorporate them into resilience plans.

Monitoring Potential Disruptive Developments:

Predicting which factors will be disruptive is difficult, but the following eight developments could significantly impact security practices. This list is not a forecast but rather a guide for building owners to monitor:

Darknet (ToR): Initially developed by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in the mid-1990s for secure and anonymous communication, the ToR network has since become known as the Darknet. This hidden part of the internet, accessible only with a specialized browser, offers a marketplace for stolen identities, credit cards, weapons, 3D printing templates, and even hackers for hire. The Darknet poses a disruption risk by providing aggressors with the tools to conduct attacks while minimizing detection chances. Most building owners are not monitoring the Darknet for potential vulnerabilities.

Cloud Computing: Cloud computing shifts software and hardware from on-premise to off-premise data centers. Users of cloud-based systems typically do not need to purchase hardware, as devices like access control panels or cameras transmit data back to the cloud. Manufacturers favor cloud-based systems for their recurring revenue potential, made possible by advances in data connectivity. The challenge lies in the security of these systems, which depends entirely on the third-party hosting the building owner’s data.

Smartphones: Since their introduction in 2007, smartphones have evolved to include a wide array of onboard sensors, making them incredibly versatile. They can also be equipped with external sensors, like infrared cameras or wireless antennas. The question now is how far this technology will go and how it might be exploited by those with malicious intent.

Drones: Unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, are now commercially affordable and have been used in a variety of innovative ways, from package delivery to racing. However, drones also pose potential security risks, such as carrying firearms or hacking equipment. The technology continues to advance, with drones becoming smaller and more versatile, as demonstrated by the “swarm” technology used at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.

Robotics: Robots, especially those with wheels, are limited by environmental factors like stairs. However, advances in machine learning, alternative propulsion methods, and battery technology are poised to revolutionize mundane tasks like security patrols. While robots are currently expensive, leasing them could become more cost-effective than hiring human guards, leading to a transformation in the security industry. Robots will handle routine monitoring tasks, while human staff will take on more complex security roles.

Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence: Machine learning allows computers to learn from experience, while artificial intelligence enables them to operate autonomously. For instance, video analytics that use machine learning can distinguish between humans and animals with user feedback. In contrast, AI would make this distinction independently. AI also poses risks, such as the potential for computers to crack passwords or create deep fakes, which can convincingly mimic human faces and voices.

Autonomous Vehicles: Partially autonomous vehicles are already on the roads, and it’s only a matter of time before fully autonomous trucks and cars become commonplace. These vehicles could be used for deliveries or even autonomous parking. However, they also present risks, as they could be weaponized for remote attacks.

Quantum Computing: Traditional computing uses bits that are either on or off, but quantum computing introduces quantum bits, or Qubits, allowing for exponentially greater processing power. A quantum computer could break today’s strongest passwords in minutes, creating new security vulnerabilities. On the other hand, quantum computing could also solve some of the world’s most complex problems.

The Role of Disruptors in Security:

Disruptors can radically alter our environment and experiences. Once introduced, they can have far-reaching effects, whether on a global scale like mobile phones or on a smaller scale, such as the evolution of security operations centers from large monitors to sit-stand desks. Disruptors can also serve as security controls, deterring, delaying, or detecting aggressors. Positive disruptors are widely adopted and significantly reduce security costs or improve effectiveness. Conversely, negative disruptors can be exploited to cause widespread harm with minimal effort.