All Access with Paul F. Benne, Sentinel Consulting & Alcatraz AI

The landscape of physical security has undergone a seismic shift in the past two decades. What was once a straightforward “set it and forget it” approach has evolved into a complex ecosystem of interconnected systems reliant on sophisticated digital infrastructures. This transformation has brought about incredible advancements in capabilities but has also introduced new challenges.

Recently, Alcatraz was fortunate enough to discuss these challenges with Paul F. Benne, PSP, CPOI, President of Sentinel Consulting, whose primary focus is creating secure environments. Paul’s ability to approach security challenges from all angles results from a deep and diverse 37+ year career within the security sector.

What are the most pressing challenges organizations face in physical security today?

Historically, security systems consisted of simple analog setups: a device, a wire, and a controller. These systems required minimal upkeep and rarely demanded integration with other technologies. However, security solutions today are built on sophisticated digital infrastructures, including software, firmware, and networked devices. While these advancements enhance capabilities, they also introduce significant dependencies on regular updates, compatibility checks, and ongoing professional services to ensure optimal performance. 

Organizations should establish comprehensive maintenance plans to mitigate these challenges and collaborate with solution providers offering robust support services. Solutions like Alcatraz, which natively integrates with existing systems, can minimize the burden of ongoing compatibility concerns.

From your perspective, how has the landscape of physical security evolved over the past decade?

The rapid pace of technological advancements means that security solutions can quickly become outdated. Without a clear plan for lifecycle management, organizations risk falling behind and exposing themselves to vulnerabilities. An organization’s lifecycle management should address the following:

• Needs assessment and planning: Identifying what is needed and how it fits into an overall plan.
• Design and procurement: Making best-value purchases that are intentionally designed.
• Deployment, maintenance, and updates: Quality installations followed by keeping systems operational and compliant with evolving regulations.
• End-of-life strategies: Replacing outdated technology with modern, compatible solutions.

Solutions providers like Alcatraz AI can assist organizations in developing and implementing these lifecycle plans, ensuring that security systems remain relevant and effective over time.

Can you highlight emerging physical security trends that will shape the future?

Advancements in artificial intelligence, mainly through large language models and AI-driven technologies, are redefining the future of physical security. These innovations address long-standing challenges and unlock new possibilities for system performance, integration, and efficiency. 

One of the most significant trends shaping the future of physical security is the evolution of identity management. As the need to validate that individuals are who they claim to be continues to grow, access control technologies have advanced dramatically. We've moved from simple cipher codes to barcode readers, magstripe cards, and proximity credentials, and now we’re entering an era dominated by biometrics.

Biometric authentication, in particular, is gaining traction as society becomes more comfortable with its everyday use. From unlocking smartphones to accessing banking apps, people are already relying on biometrics for convenience and security. This growing familiarity is paving the way for broader acceptance of biometrics in identity management systems, where its unparalleled accuracy can address vulnerabilities found in older technologies.

What criteria should organizations consider when choosing physical security solutions?

Selecting the proper physical security solution requires a structured approach to ensure the technology aligns with organizational needs and risks. At the core of this process is a framework that prioritizes a deep understanding of the client's requirements and empowers them to make informed decisions. The framework is laid out in four steps:

1. Identify specific needs and standards—This involves gathering detailed information about an organization’s goals, expectations, and preexisting security standards.
2. Leverage industry best practices—Factor in professional recommendations to understand current trends and draw on expert insights to ensure the chosen solution aligns with proven methods and modern advancements.
3. Address code and regulatory requirements—Compliance is critical to any physical security solution's effectiveness and compliance with regulatory requirements.
4. Assess security risks—By identifying and prioritizing potential threats, businesses can focus on solutions that mitigate their specific vulnerabilities.

How can companies evaluate the long-term scalability of a security technology?

One of the first considerations is ensuring that the solution is not a closed, proprietary system. Proprietary systems lock organizations into a single manufacturer's ecosystem, making it impossible to integrate with other technologies or switch vendors without significant losses. Once outdated or no longer supported, the components of such systems become unusable, turning a significant investment into wasted resources. Instead, organizations should prioritize open solutions that can interface with other systems and evolve as needs change.

Next, relying on outdated technologies, like proximity card readers, poses significant risks. Much like magstripe or barcode technologies of the past, proximity systems are vulnerable to replication and compromise. Modern security demands enhanced solutions such as biometrics, mobile credentials, or multi-class readers that support gradual migration. These technologies address current vulnerabilities and provide a roadmap for secure and scalable upgrades over time.

Finally, security technologies must evolve, and lifecycle management is essential to ensure systems remain secure and effective. Organizations should work with partners who understand technology evolution and can guide them through phased upgrades. This approach allows for budgeting over multiple fiscal periods and ensures smooth transitions to newer, more secure systems without disrupting operations.

By considering these criteria, organizations can invest in physical security solutions that are future-proof, secure, and adaptable, ensuring they meet today's challenges while preparing for tomorrow’s needs.

What is your favorite feature of the Alcatraz solution?

I was most impressed with the speed of authentication and the ease of enrollment. Both of those things are very attractive because other biometric solutions require you to dance around and line up perfectly, which is less than ideal to authenticate into a system. The onboarding process and speed make Alcatraz unique.