preview

Components of Physical Security

Good Essays

Components of Physical Security
Steven Looney
Student ID: 4168626
SCMT397 Physical Security
Professor Robert D Baker
October 25, 2011

Components of Physical Security
In physical security, there is no one measure that can fulfill all security needs for any one facility. Therefore, security measures must be designed in layers. According to Lawrence Fennelly “physical security is the most fundamental aspect of protection, it is the use of physical controls to protect the premises, site, facility, building, or other physical asset” (2004). The many components or layers of security measures are what make up good physical security. The assets being protected and the nature of the threat to the asset will dictate the amount of physical …show more content…

Most nuclear facilities must protect against a vehicle carrying a set amount of explosives. Therefore, a vehicle barrier system must be a part of their physical security to protect the facility. Natural barriers can also be effective as perimeter barriers. Natural barriers are natural land marks used as a perimeter barrier, such as lakes, rivers, cliffs, and difficult terrain. The effectiveness of a natural barrier depends on the type of natural barrier it is, and how it is used in physical security measures. Therefore, Lawrence Fennelly offers this example to explain how the type and usage of a natural barrier can affect the effectiveness of the barrier, “a body of water may be very effective in keeping pedestrian traffic away from your property but not very effective at keeping boat traffic from your property” (2008). Man-made barriers can also be placed to enhance the natural barrier, like in the example a wall or fence can be placed in the area to keep boat traffic away from the property. Just like man-made barriers, natural barriers can also be overcome, therefore they should be monitored at all times. The facility grounds between the perimeter and the assets being protected can also be used as part of the physical security of that facility. These areas can be very effective as buffer zones if kept cleared, and monitored. Buffer zones can also be very effective for facilities that have to protect against forced entry by armed adversaries. These buffer

Get Access