Physical security addresses the measures you can take to protect buildings, property, assets and staff against unauthorised and unwelcome visitors. When designing your physical security measures the three levels you need to protect are your outer perimeter, your inner perimeter, and your interior. Implementing measures at each of these levels help provide an effective physical access control system.
The outer perimeter
The outer perimeter of your property is defined by your actual property boundaries. In securing your outer perimeter you are wanting to control who can and can't enter the property. Access control is more than just wire fencing and gates. The options for physical security can be enhanced by adding in 'Natural' and 'Reinforcement' security measures.
Providing access control naturally
Bad actors like to feel that they are in control as they enter and exit an area, giving them a low perception of risk, believing they can move about without being seen. However, this sense of control can be denied by limiting and clearly marking the approaches to buildings and properties, thereby channelling visitors into a defined area by using building and landscaping features to guide people as they enter and exit an area. When applying this approach, both the entrances and exits should be considered in order to discourage intruders, and if they do enter, close off potential escape routes.
Visual reinforcement
The stategy here is simply to prevent unauthorised entry by creating a clear distinction between public and private property. Legitimate occupants have a sense of ownership and security, with those who shouldn't be there standing out. Aunathorised visitors will be more obvious and exposed thus puttig them off. This compliments and physical perimeter security in deterring unauthorised and unwelcome visitors.
The inner area access control
The inner perimeter consists of the doors, windows, and walls of your building(s). Protecting your inner perimeter is usually accomplished with locks, keys and alarm systems to control access and prevent intrusion. An electronic access control system working in conjunction with doors and turnstiles is an excellent tool for controlling the flow of traffic into and around the inner areas of your perimeter, with warnings and location of an unauthorised breach. A key component of this access control we consider, is the security of physical and electronic keys. Ordinary physical keys can be copied so one should opt for coded secure physical keys that can only be duplicated by the manufacturer. Of course, electronic keys such as pin numbers, access codes, RFID tags, etc can be changed and updated much more easily with the correct system.
Perimeter and inner area security
Perimiter and inner area security measures such as security cameras with recording features for evidence are an effective tool for monitoring the interior area as well as the perimiter entrances and exits. Motion detection is a valuable option to add to your camera security together with the above mentioned access control measures to manage access and movement and provide security to your staff as well as your property.
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Acknowledgements & Credits
- Article written by Dan Carey and inspired by an original piece of work by William Deutsch
- Image created by Crazy Husky Design based on an original photograph by Scott Webb