5 keys to safeguard your company with GIS
Cybersecurity, business interruption, and natural disasters are the top concerns shared by large, medium, and small enterprises worldwide, according to the Allianz Risk Barometer 2024.
The report highlights that business interruption remains the second-largest threat to companies, cited by 31%, followed by natural disasters (26%) and climate change (18%).
Physical damage caused by extreme weather events has a particularly strong impact on sectors such as utilities, energy, and industry, which are among the most exposed.
The report underscores the increasing interconnectedness and volatility of the global business environment, as well as the high dependency on supply chains for critical goods and services.
In this context, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are emerging as a strategic decision-making tool in corporate security, particularly through remote access capabilities.
GIS enables organizations to integrate, visualize, analyze, and safeguard critical information from anywhere, supported by cloud-based solutions, robust authentication mechanisms, and real-time geospatial analytics.
Alexander Lozano, defense and security advisor at Esri Colombia, outlines five essential ways companies can strengthen their security strategies using GIS technologies:
1. Secure Access and Advanced Authentication.
Ensuring that only authorized personnel can access critical systems is a primary challenge.
Platforms like ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise incorporate role-based and multi-factor authentication (MFA), both essential for safeguarding sensitive data.
In addition, the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), data encryption, and secure device management helps protect against unauthorized access and data interception.
2. Cloud Infrastructure and Secure Connectivity.
Cloud environments facilitate remote access to applications and data through encrypted connections (SSL/TLS) and VPN networks.
This ensures the integrity of real-time data transmission from field devices or control centers.
3. Mobile Applications and Field Operations.
GIS integrates historical and real-time data to detect criminal patterns, anticipate risks, and simulate crisis scenarios.
Mobile applications enable teams to update geospatial information from any location, enhancing field coordination, immediate response, and real-time monitoring.
4. Data Integration and Geospatial Analytics.
By integrating diverse sources—such as incident reports, crime statistics, IoT sensors, and video surveillance—organizations can generate dynamic maps and predictive analyses.
These tools help identify high-risk areas, optimize patrol routes, and support informed decision-making.
5. Regulatory Compliance and Institutional Trust.
GIS platforms, particularly ArcGIS, offer the flexibility to adapt to both local and international regulatory frameworks.
This includes standards from ASIS International and Colombia’s Superintendency of Surveillance and Private Security.
It ensures that implemented solutions are both legally compliant and secure.
Lozano concludes:
“GIS technologies enhance secure remote access through a combination of advanced authentication, cloud infrastructure, mobile applications, and real-time analytics.”
He adds that these tools not only improve operational efficiency but also enable proactive risk management.
In an environment where response speed is critical, GIS empowers organizations to make agile, predictive, and secure decisions without compromising assets or data integrity.
By integrating and analyzing spatial and temporal data, companies can identify threats early and optimize their security strategies.
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