HID has launched its latest podcast, this time focusing on Advancing physical ID and access management with the company’s Head of Product, Don Campbell, to dive deep into the world of physical identity and access management (PIAM). Campbell shares his expert insights on everything from risk-based policies to seamless transitions between visitor and contractor statuses.

It will explore how PIAM can work hand-in-hand with physical access control systems (PACS) to streamline security workflows and make compliance a breeze, and it will discuss the importance of maintaining secure physical records, especially during those dreaded audits.

Key insights from the podcast

In this podcast, the HID podcast team touches on the foundational concepts of PIAM as well as the more advanced techniques for compliance, auditing and seamless integrations:

• Visitor Management — How visitor management has evolved into a critical component of creating a comprehensive security infrastructure
• Compliance & Risk Management — The role of PIAM in streamlining audit processes and ensuring regulatory adherence
• Integration With PACS — Why PIAM complements access control systems and optimizes security workflows
• Breaking Down the Podcast’s Key Themes
• This podcast is a valuable resource that complements our What Is PIAM? blog series, offering additional insights and practical real-life examples.

What Is PIAM? A Back-To-Basics Perspective

By providing education on the foundational aspects of PIAM, such as core and extended identities, access orchestration, visitor management, and credential management, the podcast reinforces the key concepts first introduced in the first blog of HID’s What Is PIAM? series.

The relationship between PIAM and physical access control systems (PACS)

As the podcast continues, the podcasters build upon the basic knowledge initially presented, focusing specifically on the concept of PIAM integrations with PACS.

Much like its blog post, it highlights the synergies between PIAM and PACS in enhancing security. Both solutions emphasize the importance of a comprehensive approach to security that incorporates both physical and digital access controls. By integrating PIAM and PACS, organizations can strengthen their security posture, improve operational efficiency and mitigate risks associated with insider threats.

How PIAM Is revolutionising compliance

Of course, PIAM compliance is always a big talking point. The podcast touches on the essential building blocks of compliance, the increasing importance of PIAM in industries with stringent security and governance requirements — such as aviation, manufacturing and energy, among many others.

This podcast echoes the sentiment HID discusses in this blog post: while PIAM is a powerful tool for enhancing security and compliance, it does not guarantee compliance on its own. Compliance with PIAM standards is a multifaceted endeavor that involves a deep understanding of regulatory requirements, well-defined policies, and effective implementation. PIAM can significantly streamline processes and automate controls, but it’s essential to recognise the human oversight and continuous adaption are crucial. By leveraging PIAM as a strategic tool and combining it with sound security practices, organisations can significantly improve their compliance posture.

Taking the next steps with PIAM

To start implementing PIAM and reap its benefits, consider the following:

• Assess Your Visitor Management
• Integrate PIAM + PACS
• Implement Risk-Based Policies
• Automate Compliance Tracking
• How PIAM Ties Back to Compliance + Auditing

“The key with any of this is making sure you have a formal way to record who owns the area, the decisions, who has been granted access, who granted the access and making sure you have a clear record, as well as being able to keep that record so you can tie it back to every door, every point of access, every decision,” says Campbell.

Looking ahead: What comes next in PIAM and access control

As the security landscape continues to evolve, organizations face increasing challenges in managing and securing identities. For instance, by utilising a PIAM like HID SAFE™ and integrating it with your current PACS, organizations can enhance their security while improving operational efficiency.

Stay ahead of evolving challenges by listening to our entire podcast series and exploring more about PIAM solutions at HID.

Listen to the podcast here

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