Using survey responses from more than 1,000 security leaders from around the globe—plus more than 20 follow-up interviews—the study analyses the relationship between physical security, cyber security, and business continuity in modern organisations. It provides relevant benchmarks to compare strategies, plans, and operations and determine best practices for creating more effective and cost-efficient security and risk operations.

According to the report, despite years of predictions about the inevitability of security convergence, just 24 percent of respondents have converged their physical and cyber security functions. When business continuity is included, a total of 52 percent have converged two or all of the three functions. Of the 48 percent who have not converged at all, 70 percent have no current plans to converge.

“For years, security practitioners have accepted that organisations are increasingly converging their physical security and cyber security functions,” says Brian Allen, CPP, president, ASIS Foundation Board of Trustees. “This study collected current data to measure trends and progress with converging environments. What we’ve learned is that, although convergence has brought positive results, there is still much work to be done.”

The study’s executive summary is available on the Foundation’s website and the full report is available for purchase and is complimentary for all ASIS members.

Supported by member and corporate donations, the ASIS Foundation invests in elevating security practice through research and education. The Foundation awarded more than 170 scholarships in 2019 totaling more than $75,000.