Security policy to merge virtual with reality

Companies will increasingly integrate physical and computer security systems in 2005, spending over $1bn in the United States and Europe, Forrester Research concluded in a report published this week.

Steve Hunt, an analyst with Forrester Research, said in the report while companies have generally treated physical security as part of the facilities department and computer security as part of the information-technology group, employee information has increasingly become integrated, allowing businesses to link the two systems.

"Locks, cameras, entry systems, and even guard desks will be upgraded to work with the same computing systems that control computer and network sign-on, identity management and security incident management," he wrote. "Consequently, IT security vendors will rush to merge or find partnerships with their physical security brethren to respond to the new opportunities."

The linkage between physical security systems and network security is another ripple emanating from the 11 September, 2001, terrorist attacks. Spending on such integration will double compared with 2004, reaching $1.1bn in Europe and the United States in 2005, the report said.

US government projects to integrate physical and network security, such as the Transportation Worker's Identity Card mandated by the Transportation Security Agency and the Common Access Card used by the Department of Defense, up the lion's share of the money being spent, Forrester predicted. The federal government has focused on integrating physical and network security following the findings of the 9/11 Commission.

Robert Lemos writes for CNET News.com.