Security

Physical security is the first line of defense against a potential threat. Facility perimeters, tangible property, personnel, and information are protected using an appropriate combination of the elements of lighting, hardware, equipment, and systems that harden the target against the potential threat (Ortmeier, p. 94). The basics of defense involve the use of systems and countermeasures such as policies, procedures, people, equipment, architectural design, and strategies to prevent loss and deter, detect, deny, delay, or detain the person or agent that may cause harm to the enterprise (Ortmeier, p. 94). The basic defense involves the use of combination alarms, barriers, devices, and personnel designed to control access. The level of asset protection depends on the types of systems and countermeasures utilized. Level 1 of minimum protection designed to impede some unauthorized external threat activity. Level 2 low protection designed to impede and detect some unauthorized external threat activity. Level 3 medium protection designed to impede, detect, and assess most unauthorized external threat activity. Level four high-level protection designed to impede, detect, and asses’ most unauthorized external and internal threat activity. Level five maximum protections designed to impede, detect, asses, and neutralize all unauthorized external and internal threat activity (Ortmeier, p. 95-96). Perimeter lighting involves the use of streetlights, floodlights, and searchlights. Floodlights are typically used a facility boundaries to deter intruders. Exterior doors should be solidly constructed. Hinges with non-removable pins should be locates on the inside. Doorframes, locks, and panels are also extremely vulnerable to attack (Ortmeier, p. 96). Ortmeier, P. J. (2009). Introduction to security: Operations and management (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.