3 - Cultural differences

Abstract

This chapter explains cultural differences in context to security convergence. The physical security professional typically developed as there was a need to physically protect society from the dangers of an expanding and exceedingly complex world. Physical security world includes the protection of people, information, and property. Physical security people often come from law enforcement or are private investigators, executive protection specialists, alarm salesmen, camera installers, or even security guards. Physical security approach is old and established. It is relatively well known in society. Generations of physical security veterans have retired. On the other hand, IT or information systems (IS) security is a relatively new field. The modern desktop computer has been around for only a generation or so, and the development of the dedicated IT security professional community has followed suit with this expansion. IT security grew up as a needs-driven specialty within the IT environment. Specialization in security refers to an entire new industry, a lot of which is based on protecting the data and technical systems from outside intrusion.