Physical security describes measures that prevent or deter attackers from accessing a facility, resource, or information stored on physical media. It can be as simple as a locked door or as elaborate as multiple layers of armed guardposts. In some sports, an attacker is a specific type of player, usually one whose role involves aggressive play. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A security officer guards a construction site. ...

Elements and design

Spikes atop a barrier wall

The field of security engineering has identified three elements to physical security: Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2816x2112, 3652 KB) Summary Security spikes on the fence of a gated community. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2816x2112, 3652 KB) Summary Security spikes on the fence of a gated community. ... Security engineering is the field of engineering dealing with the security and integrity of real-world systems. ...

• obstacles, to frustrate trivial attackers and delay serious ones;
• alarms, security lighting, security guard patrols or closed-circuit television cameras, to make it likely that attacks will be noticed; and
• security response, to repel, catch or frustrate attackers when an attack is detected.

In a well designed system, these features must complement each other. There are four layers of physical security: For other uses, see Alarm (disambiguation). ... In the field of physical security, security lighting is often used as a preventative and corrective measure against intrusions or other criminal activity on a physical piece of property. ... A security officer guards a construction site. ... Surveillance cameras. ...

• Environmental design
• Mechanical and electronic access control
• Intrusion detection
• Video monitoring

The initial layer of security for a campus, building, office, or physical space uses environmental design to deter threats. Some of the most common examples are also the most basic - barbed wire, warning signs and fencing, concrete bollards, metal barriers, vehicle height-restrictors, site lighting and trenches. Environmental design is the process of addressing environmental parameters when devising plans, programs, policies, buildings, or products. ...

Electronic access control

The next layer is mechanical and includes gates, doors, and locks. Key control of the locks becomes a problem with large user populations and any user turnover. Keys quickly become unmanageable forcing the adoption of electronic access control. Electronic access control easily manages large user populations, controlling for user lifecycles times, dates, and individual access points. For example a user's access rights could allow access from 0700 to 1900 Monday through Friday and expires in 90 days. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2048 × 1536 pixel, file size: 359 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2048 × 1536 pixel, file size: 359 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ...

The third layer is intrusion detection systems or alarms. Intrusion detection monitors for attacks. It is less a preventative measure and more of a response measure. Although some would argue that it is a deterrent. Intrusion detection has a high incidence of false alarms. In many jurisdictions, law enforcement will not respond to alarms from intrusion detection systems.

Closed-circuit television sign

The last layer is video monitoring systems. Like intrusion detection, these are not much of a deterrent. Video monitoring systems are more useful for incident verification and historical analysis. For instance, if alarms are being generated and there is a camera in place, the camera could be viewed to verify the alarms. In instances when an attack has already occurred and a camera is in place at the point of attack, the recorded video can be reviewed. Although the term closed-circuit television (CCTV) is common, it is quickly becoming outdated as more video systems lose the closed circuit for signal transmission and are instead transmitting on computer networks. Advances in information technology are transforming video monitoring into video analysis. For instance, once an image is digitized it can become data that sophisticated algorithms can act upon. As the speed and accuracy of automated analysis increases, the video system could move from a monitoring system to an intrusion detection system or access control system. It is not a stretch to imagine a video camera inputting data to a processor that outputs to a door lock. Instead of using some kind of key, whether mechanical or electrical, a person's visage is the key. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1600 × 1200 pixel, file size: 535 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1600 × 1200 pixel, file size: 535 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Surveillance cameras. ...

Private factory guard

Intertwined in these four layers are people. Guards have a role in all layers, in the first as patrols and at checkpoints. In the second to administer electronic access control. In the third to respond to alarms. And in the fourth to monitor and analyze video. Users obviously have a role also by questioning and reporting suspicious people. Aiding in identifying people as known versus unknown are identification systems. Often photo ID badges are used and are frequently coupled to the electronic access control system. Visitors are often required to wear a visitor badge. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1600 × 1200 pixel, file size: 417 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Photographer: Robbie Sproule from Montreal, Canada Title: garde Description: A private guard at a factory. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1600 × 1200 pixel, file size: 417 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Photographer: Robbie Sproule from Montreal, Canada Title: garde Description: A private guard at a factory. ...

For example, the response force must be able to arrive on site in less time than it is expected that the attacker will require to breach the barriers; and

• persuading them that the likely costs of attack exceed the value of making the attack.

For example, ATMs (cash dispensers) are protected, not by making them invulnerable, but by spoiling the money inside when they are attacked. Attackers quickly learned that it was futile to steal or break into an ATM if all they got was worthless money covered in dye. Outdoor ATMs may be free-standing, like this kiosk, or built into the side of banks or other buildings An automatic teller machine, automated teller machine (ATM) or cash machine is an electronic device that allows a banks customers to make cash withdrawals and check their account balances without...

Conversely, safes are rated in terms of the time in minutes which a skilled, well equipped safe-breaker is expected to require to open the safe. These ratings are developed by highly skilled safe breakers employed by insurance agencies, such as Underwriters Laboratories. In a properly designed system, either the time between inspections by a patrolling guard should be less than that time, or an alarm response force should be able to reach it in less than that time. The UL Mark Underwriters Laboratories Inc. ...

Hiding the resources, or hiding the fact that resources are valuable, is also often a good idea as it will reduce the exposure to opponents and will cause further delays during an attack, but should not be relied upon as a principal means of ensuring security (see security through obscurity and inside job). In cryptography and computer security, security through obscurity (sometimes security by obscurity) is to some a controversial principle in security engineering, which attempts to use secrecy (of design, implementation, etc. ... Inside Job is an album by Don Henley, released in 2000 (see 2000 in music). ...

See also

An access badge is the identification used to gain entry to the office or other places that have access controlled entry points. ... Access control is the ability to permit or deny the use of something by someone. ... For other uses, see Alarm (disambiguation). ... Alarm management is the application of human factors (or ergonomics as the field is referred to outside the U.S.) along with instrumentation engineering and systems thinking to manage the design of an alarm system to increase its usability. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... At Walt Disney World, biometric measurements are taken from the fingers of guests to ensure that the persons ticket is used by the same person from day to day For the use of statistics in biology, see Biostatistics. ... Burglar (or intrusion), fire and safety alarms are found in electronic form today. ... Surveillance cameras. ... Common Access Card issued to Contractor personnel The Common Access Card (CAC) is a United States Department of Defense (DoD) smartcard issued as standard identification for active duty military personnel, reserve personnel, civilian employees, and eligible contractor personnel. ... This article describes how security can be achieved through design and engineering. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Door security relates to prevention of door-related burglaries. ... An electronic lock is a locking device which uses some form of electronics to authenticate those accessing it, sometimes using two-factor authentication. ... German identity document sample An identity document is a piece of documentation designed to prove the identity of the person carrying it. ... IP Video Surveillance can be defined as the transmission of video utilizing open internet protocols and standards for the purpose of recording and monitoring. ... A number of different keys A single key A key is a device which is used to open a lock. ... Locksmithing began as the science and art of making and defeating locks. ... Lock picking is the art of unlocking a lock without its intended key. ... Logical Security consists of software safeguards for an organization’s systems, including user ID and password access, authentication, access rights and authority levels. ... A magnetic stripe card is a type of card capable of storing data by modifying the magnetism of tiny iron-based magnetic particles on a band of magnetic material on the card. ... An optical turnstile is a physical security device designed to restrict or control access to a building or secure area. ... Photo identification is generally used to define any form of identification that includes a photograph of the holder. ... A Physical Security Professional (PSP) is a certification process for individuals involved in the physical security of organizations. ... Proximity card is a generic name for contactless integrated circuit devices used for security access or payment systems. ... Image:Scheermes-prikkeldraad. ... A typical home safe. ... Safe-cracking is the process of opening a safe, generally without the combination. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Security engineering is the field of engineering dealing with the security and integrity of real-world systems. ... In the field of physical security, security lighting is often used as a preventative and corrective measure against intrusions or other criminal activity on a physical piece of property. ... A security policy is a plan of action for tackling security issues, or a set of regulations for maintaining a certain level of security. ... Smart card used for health insurance in France. ... For other uses, see Surveillance (disambiguation). ... A swipe card is a (typically) credit card size badge incorporating a magnetic stripe, an RFID tag, a transponder device and/or a microchip mostly used for business premises access control or electronic payment. ... The Wiegand effect is named after its discoverer, John R. Wiegand. ...

References

• Anderson, Ross - 'Security Engineering', published by Wiley, 2001, ISBN 0-471-38922-6