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Analysis: Physical/Logical Security Convergence: Page 8 of 30

In fact, it seems everyone benefits from access-control convergence--except the physical security folks. To them, convergence is often perceived as a loss of power, even the precursor to job elimination, leading many physical security groups to throw up roadblocks to physical-logical convergence projects.

Even if there's always been a feeling of solidarity between the physical and logical camps, it's not uncommon to see political dissidence and turf wars erupt as physical-security groups struggle to remain an identifiable entity and avoid assimilation into the IT colossus. Howard Schmidt, Microsoft's acting CSO in 2000, heard Microsoft's physical-security group describe the company's convergence effort as "a hostile takeover," largely because of a shift to IT-laden management.

This brings us to an important point: Convergence should focus on the process and the technology. It shouldn't be about politics and organizational charts. "Most successful convergence projects allow the respective physical and IT security departments to retain their autonomy," Forrester analyst Steve Hunt says.

Of course, this is easier said than done, especially because physical security groups have some valid beefs with convergence.

Reasoned Opposition