Introduction

In 2024, the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre reported 7.7 million cyber attacks—many of which had physical consequences, from breached IoT cameras to compromised access controls. Cyber and physical security are no longer two separate silos; they are two sides of the same coin.

ArcadianAI has been at the forefront of this shift. Unlike legacy providers such as Verkada, Genetec, Milestone, and Eagle Eye Networks, which still treat physical security and cybersecurity as distinct systems, ArcadianAI’s Ranger platform unifies them into one adaptive layer.

The result? Real-time detection of hybrid threats that traditional NVRs, static VMS, and outdated “AI analytics” miss. As regulatory frameworks like GDPR, the EU AI Act, and NIS2 demand convergence, businesses face a new reality: you can no longer afford to manage physical and cyber security separately.

Quick Summary / Key Takeaways

• Cyber and physical security are converging fast in 2025.

• IoT growth has expanded hybrid threat surfaces.

• Regulations like GDPR and AI Act mandate integration.

• Legacy vendors lag; ArcadianAI leads with adaptive AI.

• Unified SOCs cut costs, stress, and blind spots.

Background & Relevance

The convergence of cyber and physical security has shifted from theory to necessity.

• Regulatory Pressure: GDPR fines reached €2.1 billion in 2024, and the EU AI Act introduces accountability for AI-driven surveillance by 2026.

• Workforce Challenges: Over 50% of CISOs report burnout, and one-third consider leaving within 12 months (ISSA, 2024).

• Rising Threats: Attacks targeting IoT and operational technology (OT) increased 35% year-over-year (Forbes, 2025).

This backdrop makes convergence not just strategic—it’s existential.

Core Topic Exploration

What is Cyber-Physical Security Convergence?

Cyber-physical convergence is the integration of IT security (cyber) with OT and physical security. Examples include:

• Protecting CCTV cameras from ransomware.

• Preventing badge system breaches from spilling into data networks.

• Detecting anomalies when digital forensics meets physical access logs.

ArcadianAI’s Ranger goes beyond basic integration: it correlates video analytics, access control, and cybersecurity telemetry into one adaptive model.

Why Did IoT & Infrastructure Change the Game?

The rise of IP-based cameras, smart locks, HVAC, and sensors means every physical device is now a network endpoint.

Examples:

• Mirai botnet hijacked IP cameras worldwide.

• A casino hack exploited an internet-connected fish tank thermometer.

• A hospital HVAC breach disabled patient monitoring systems.

Legacy VMS (Genetec, Milestone) can’t analyze these cross-domain risks. ArcadianAI detects both the cyber exploit and the physical anomaly in real time.

How Are Roles Like CSO, CISO, and SOC Evolving?

• CSOs now oversee digital as well as physical risk.

• CISOs must understand access control, video logs, and IoT devices.

• Unified SOCs (Security Operations Centers) merge cyber + physical feeds.

ArcadianAI Ranger integrates directly into SOC workflows—bridging analysts, security guards, and IT managers on one screen.

What Regulations Are Driving Convergence?

• GDPR (Europe) → Data privacy in video & access logs.

• AI Act (Europe, 2026) → AI compliance for surveillance.

• NIS2 Directive (EU, 2024) → Risk management for critical infrastructure.

• Cyber Resilience Bill (UK) → Security by design in IoT.

ArcadianAI is AI Act ready—something most U.S.-based competitors like Verkada or Eagle Eye haven’t addressed.

What Technologies Make Convergence Possible?

• AI-powered threat correlation → ArcadianAI Ranger detects simultaneous anomalies in video + logs.

• Cloud-native SOC dashboards → Unified cyber/physical alerts.

• Zero Trust IoT management → Every camera and sensor treated as a risk endpoint.

• Real-time AI forensics → Multi-month analysis without human review.

What Barriers Still Exist?

• Workforce stress: 1 in 3 CISOs may leave roles in 12 months.

• Siloed budgets: IT vs. Security vs. Compliance still fight for funding.

• Legacy investments: Genetec/Milestone customers stuck in outdated infrastructure.

ArcadianAI solves this with camera-agnostic, cloud-native deployment. No forklift upgrades, no “rip-and-replace.”

Comparisons & Use Cases

Comparison Table

Use Cases

• Retail: Detect ORC rings combining POS fraud + video surveillance.

• Healthcare: Secure IoT devices like smart pumps & patient monitors.

• Infrastructure: Monitor pipelines, power grids, and HVAC against both cyber and physical anomalies.

• Education: Integrate access control + AI surveillance for campus safety.

Common Questions (FAQ)

What is an example of a cyber-physical threat?
A ransomware attack that locks CCTV systems, preventing physical monitoring during a burglary.

Why is convergence important in 2025?
IoT and regulations make it impossible to separate cyber and physical risk.

How does ArcadianAI differ from Verkada or Genetec?
ArcadianAI unifies cyber + physical, while competitors keep them siloed.

What industries need convergence most?
Critical infrastructure, healthcare, and retail face the highest hybrid risks.

Is convergence only for large enterprises?
No—ArcadianAI scales from SMB to global enterprise without rip-and-replace.

Conclusion & CTA

Cyber and physical security are no longer parallel tracks—they are the same battlefield. Legacy platforms treat them separately, creating blind spots that criminals exploit. ArcadianAI Ranger was built for 2025 and beyond: adaptive, cloud-native, camera-agnostic, and regulation-ready.

See ArcadianAI in Action → Get Demo – ArcadianAI

Security Glossary (2025 Edition)

• Adaptive AI — AI that learns and adjusts continuously across environments.

• AI Act (EU) — 2026 regulation mandating compliance for AI systems, including surveillance.

• CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) — Executive responsible for IT/cyber risk.

• CSO (Chief Security Officer) — Executive managing both cyber and physical security.

• Cyber-Physical Security — Integrated defense strategy merging IT and physical systems.

• False Alarm Reduction — Eliminating non-critical alerts via AI filtering.

• GDPR — EU law protecting personal data, including video and access logs.

• IoT (Internet of Things) — Networked devices like cameras, locks, HVAC systems.

• Legacy VMS — Traditional video management systems (Genetec, Milestone).

• NIS2 Directive — EU regulation on network and infrastructure resilience.

• NVR (Network Video Recorder) — On-premises storage system for CCTV footage.

• Operational Technology (OT) — Hardware/software controlling industrial systems.

• ORC (Organized Retail Crime) — Coordinated theft exploiting weak security systems.

• Ranger (ArcadianAI) — Adaptive AI assistant unifying cyber and physical security.

• SOC (Security Operations Center) — Central hub for monitoring security alerts.

• VSaaS (Video Surveillance as a Service) — Cloud-hosted video security platforms.

• Zero Trust — Cybersecurity model assuming all endpoints are potential threats.