Physical security systems generate large volumes of information from video recordings, access control logs, and license plate data. As this data plays an increasingly important role in daily operations and investigations, organizations face growing pressure to manage it responsibly, amidst evolving privacy regulations, rising cyber threats, and increased expectations for transparency.
“Physical security information can be highly sensitive, and protecting it requires more than basic safeguards or vague assurances,” said Mathieu Chevalier, Principal Security Architect at Genetec. “Some approaches in the market treat data as an asset that can be exploited or shared beyond its original purpose. This creates real privacy risks. Organizations must demand clear boundaries on how their data is used, robust controls throughout its entire lifecycle, and technology designed to respect privacy by design, not as an afterthought.”
Commemorated every January 28, International Data Protection Day serves as a reminder that protecting personal data is a shared and ongoing responsibility. For physical security teams, adopting clear strategies, resilient technologies, and trusted partnerships can help ensure that privacy and security goals remain aligned as risks and regulations continue to evolve. Genetec recommends the following best practices to help organizations strengthen data protection within physical security systems:
Start with a clear data protection strategy
Organizations should regularly assess what data they collect, for what purpose they collect it, where it is stored, how long it is retained, and who has access to it. Documenting these practices helps reduce unnecessary data exposure, identify policy gaps, and support ongoing compliance as regulations evolve. Transparency around data management practices also plays a vital role in building trust with employees, customers, and the public.
Design systems with privacy built in from the start
Privacy by design involves limiting privacy risks not only through security controls but also through how personal data is collected, used, and managed. Organizations should apply the principles of purpose limitation and data minimization to ensure that only the data necessary for defined security objectives is collected and retained. Robust security measures, such as encryption of data in transit and at rest, the application of strong authentication, and the use of granular access controls, help reduce the risk of unauthorized access. Privacy-enhancing technologies, such as anonymization and automated masking, enhance transparency and help protect individuals' identities while preserving the operational value of security data.
Maintaining robust cyber defenses over time
Data protection is an ongoing process. Regularly strengthening systems, managing vulnerabilities, and providing timely updates are essential to address new cybersecurity risks as they emerge. Treating privacy and cybersecurity as permanent operational responsibilities helps organizations maintain a stronger overall security strategy.
Use cloud services to support resilience and compliance
Cloud-managed and software-as-a-service (SaaS) deployments can help organizations stay up-to-date with security patches, privacy controls, and compliance features, while reducing the operational burden on internal teams. Many organizations are adopting flexible deployment approaches that allow them to balance scalability, control, and data residency requirements between on-premises and cloud environments.
Choosing partners committed to privacy and transparency
Working with trusted technology partners is essential. Organizations should evaluate vendors based on how they manage personal data, whether they establish clear boundaries on data use, and whether they transparently communicate their privacy practices. Independent security standards and certifications, such as ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 27017, and SOC 2 Type II reports, provide important assurances about how systems and data are protected and managed, and help reduce privacy risks associated with unauthorized access or misuse. Organizations should also assess vendors' vulnerability disclosure processes, their data governance practices, and their approach to developing and deploying artificial intelligence, including whether they prioritize transparency, security, and human-led decision-making when personal data is involved.
