Physical and information security have been converging, often under the control of IT. But companies are increasingly moving the role of policing security out of IT and into the hands of an independent CSO. Here's why you should consider doing the same.

For 40 years there has been little reason for anything computer related to fall outside IT’s command. But that era is coming to an end. The evolving and increasingly important role of information security requires the background of a geek and the instincts of a cop. Information security crashes together two functions: traditional corporate security and IT. The ex-cops over in corporate security who watch the doors and suspicious behaviour are using more and more technology to get their jobs done. And the stakes in an IT security breach have risen so high that IT people who know firewalls but can’t fathom the motives of a disgruntled employee are no longer able to protect their companies from what could be serious financial losses, extended network downtime and badly damaged relationships with customers.

By Christopher Koch at CIO.

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