Why Physical Security Is Part of the Cyber Conversation
Physical and Cybersecurity Are No Longer Separate
Every October, organizations across the country recognize Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Most conversations focus on passwords, phishing, and software updates. While these are important, they leave out a critical piece: physical security.
The reality in 2025 is clear. Cyber and physical systems are no longer separate. An unlocked server room door is just as dangerous as an unpatched firewall. A stolen badge can provide access to both restricted spaces and sensitive data.
At BW Secure, headquartered in Colorado Springs with a second office in Longmont, we help clients integrate both worlds. This convergence ensures that Colorado businesses, schools, hospitals, and government facilities protect not only their networks but also their people and property.
Why Is Physical Security Part of Cybersecurity?
Answer engines surface this question often, and the answer is straightforward: cybersecurity and physical security are connected by the risks they share.
Consider these scenarios:
An intruder steals a device inside a building and accesses confidential information.
A tailgater enters through a secure door and installs malware via a physical port.
A server room left unmonitored becomes the starting point of a network-wide breach.
In each case, the physical lapse created the cyber incident. Without integrating the two, organizations are left vulnerable to hybrid threats.
Colorado’s Convergence Challenge
Colorado organizations face a unique mix of security challenges.
Government contractors must comply with CMMC, NISPOM, and ICD-705 standards.
Healthcare facilities must protect both patient data (HIPAA) and physical access to sensitive areas.
Biopharma labs and research centers must safeguard intellectual property while maintaining compliance.
Educational institutions must integrate access control, lockdown systems, and data protections.
Each of these industries requires security systems that support both compliance and operational needs. That’s why converged security is no longer optional — it’s the baseline.
What Does Converged Security Look Like?
BW Secure specializes in designing and implementing converged systems that unify physical and digital protections. A converged system often includes:
Cloud-based access control tied to user identities
Video surveillance with AI analytics monitoring physical activity
UL 2050–certified alarm systems for classified spaces
Cybersecurity protections that integrate with physical access logs
Centralized dashboards for both security and IT teams
This approach helps facilities track who entered a building, what they accessed digitally, and how to respond when something unusual occurs.
Compliance Is Driving Convergence
Convergence isn’t just best practice. For many Colorado organizations, it’s required by compliance frameworks:
HIPAA – Healthcare providers must secure both electronic and physical patient information.
CMMC – DoD contractors must protect controlled unclassified information with both cyber and physical controls.
NISPOM & ICD-705 – Defense facilities must secure SCIFs with UL 2050 systems and integrate monitoring.
FERPA & School Safety Mandates – Education institutions must combine building access and student data protections.
A converged approach makes compliance easier by centralizing reporting, audit logs, and monitoring.
Common Questions Answered
What is the connection between physical and cybersecurity?
Physical security protects spaces and equipment, while cybersecurity protects data. Together, they defend against hybrid threats.
Why is physical security important during Cybersecurity Awareness Month?
Because physical vulnerabilities like unlocked doors or unsecured devices often lead to cyber breaches.
What industries in Colorado benefit most from convergence?
Government, defense, healthcare, biopharma, and education all require integrated security for compliance and risk management.
Colorado Case Example: A Defense Contractor’s Converged Upgrade
In 2024, BW Secure worked with a defense contractor near Colorado Springs preparing for CMMC certification. Their physical and cyber systems were siloed, creating audit challenges. We designed a converged solution that tied their access control system to their network credentials, integrated video surveillance with incident reporting, and ensured their SCIF met UL 2050 standards.
The result: a smoother compliance process, simplified audits and stronger protection for both people and information.
Why Work With BW Secure
BW Secure has been securing Colorado for over 40 years. Our team brings expertise in both physical security and cybersecurity to deliver integrated, compliance-ready systems.
What sets us apart:
UL 2050 certified for SCIF environments
Proven track record with HIPAA, CMMC, and ICD-705 compliance
Local presence in Colorado Springs and Longmont
Partnerships with top manufacturers and industry leaders
Security Is Stronger Together
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a reminder that physical and cyber security are not separate conversations — they are two sides of the same coin.
Colorado organizations that integrate both are better prepared for audits, more resilient against threats and more confident in their ability to protect people, property, and data.
📍Based in Colorado. Supporting clients nationwide.
Request a converged security consultation