How Physical Security Is Adapting to a World in Transition

As organisations adopt new digital systems and smarter ways of working, physical security remains central to how assets are stored and managed.  

Technology has advanced how access is monitored and recorded, yet the physical protection of items, medicines, data and critical equipment still depends on measures being carefully designed, tested and maintained.  

Across industries, these foundations support everyday operations by ensuring assets are stored and accessed in a controlled, compliant way. 

Evolving Physical Measures in a Digital Landscape 

Safes, strong rooms and secure cabinets now integrate sensors, intelligent locking and tamper-responsive features.  

These innovations reflect both the changing nature of threats and the way organisations operate. Connected systems offer greater oversight and faster response, but they rely on robust physical measures that resist forced entry and delay unauthorised access. 

Standards, Regulation and Real-World Application 

Recognised standards from bodies such as CEN, UL and BIS help organisations understand how products perform under realistic attack conditions.  

As new tools and methods emerge, these standards adapt, providing benchmarks aligned with sector-specific expectations. In highly regulated industries like banking and pharmaceuticals, compliance underpins wider responsibilities around safety, traceability and controlled access.

Examples from the field illustrate how physical security, regulation and operational practicality intersect. ACR’s long involvement in the pharmaceutical sector shows how controlled-drug strong rooms can be built to meet MHRA requirements while remaining functional for warehouse settings. Factors such as ceiling height, oversized doors and internal layout directly influence workflow efficiency and audit readiness.

In Sweden, Svensk Värdeförvaring highlights a different shift. As traditional banks scale back deposit box services, new secure-storage providers are stepping in.  

Their facilities combine proven physical installations with digital management tools, meeting modern expectations while maintaining the security levels required for high-value items. Customer needs may evolve, but the importance of robust physical protection remains constant. 

Responding to Changing Risks 

The wider threat landscape continues to develop, with organised crime, supply-chain vulnerabilities and targeted attacks on retail and financial environments demonstrating that physical weaknesses are often exploited before digital ones.  

When breaches occur, the consequences extend well beyond the immediate loss of goods affecting operational continuity, public confidence and regulatory scrutiny.

Looking ahead, physical and digital security will continue to advance in parallel. Each provides a different type of resilience, and the challenge for the industry is to ensure skills, standards and product development keep pace on both fronts.  

Training new entrants, maintaining compliance and sharing knowledge remain essential to this progress.