Overlooked Security Gaps That Amplify Cyber Crises

When a cyberattack hits, it is immediately treated as a full-blown crisis. Systems fail, operations stall, and leadership teams must respond under intense pressure. Yet while attention often focuses on IT and operational disruption, businesses frequently overlook physical vulnerabilities and gaps in security infrastructure, which can magnify disruption and extend recovery time.

Access control, video surveillance, visitor management, and screening systems are often connected to corporate IT networks. Poorly maintained, unpatched, or legacy systems can trigger or amplify a crisis, while a weak security culture within supply chains or among third-party contractors further increases risk.

The Overlap of Cyber and Physical Risk

Effective security relies on multiple layers of protection. When even a single layer fails, critical assets become more vulnerable. Cyber disruptions often intersect with physical security gaps, and this risk is frequently underestimated:

• Legacy or poorly updated systems can be unreliable or exploitable.

• Third-party systems and supply chains may introduce vulnerabilities through weak practices or complacency.

• Reliance on electronic systems during lockdown can undermine preparedness if manual contingencies aren’t in place.

• Gaps in layered security create significant risks that must be understood and addressed to maintain operational resilience.

  
  

This highlights why layered security, vigilance across third-party suppliers, and ongoing maintenance are essential.

Segregation of Security Infrastructure

A key control to mitigate these risks is network segregation. Security systems including access control, video surveillance, and visitor management should operate on a dedicated network, whether on-premises or in the cloud, separate from corporate IT.

Segregation ensures that:

• Critical technical security systems remain functional during wider IT disruptions.

• Staff safety and operational continuity are protected.

• Disruption from cyber incidents does not cascade into physical security failures.

  
  

By separating infrastructure layers, organisations strengthen resilience and reduce the impact of both cyber and physical threats.

Assurance: Testing Beyond IT

Even with layered security and segregated networks, regular testing and verification are critical. Many organisations focus on IT systems but can overlook physical security and supply chain weaknesses:

• Can staff maintain access control manually if electronic systems fail?

• Do lockdown, invacuation, and evacuation procedures function independently of IT systems?

• Are legacy systems patched, updated, and regularly tested for reliability?

• Are third-party suppliers following robust security practices that do not introduce vulnerabilities?

  
  

Effective assurance ensures all layers - physical controls, staff procedures, and supply chain practices, work together to protect critical assets and support operational resilience.

Emergency Preparedness in a Cyber-Physical Crisis

Preparation reduces operational strain and accelerates recovery:

• Mass notification systems must function independently of corporate IT.

• Hybrid crisis exercises can simulate layered failures to test understanding, strategic priorities, decision-making, and coordination.

• Backup and recovery times should be understood to support recovery plans and reassure stakeholders.

  
  

Staff awareness ensures employees understand how to act when systems fail and the risks posed by third-party weaknesses.

Next Steps: Protect, Prepare, Perform

State2 Security Ltd helps organisations close the gap between digital, technical, physical, and supply chain resilience:

• Protect – strengthen premises, access points, and governance.

• Prepare – implement procedures that function even if systems fail and ensure third-party alignment.

• Perform – test scenarios to ensure staff can act confidently under layered disruptions.

  
  

Book your free Security Health Check Call today: www.state2security.co.uk