This section has information and tools to help your organization set up effective physical security measures to protect your people, information, and assets.

1. An Introduction to
Physical Security
BY ROBIN GH PATRAS

2. Physical security
This section has information and tools to help your
organisation set up effective physical security
measures to protect your people, information, and
assets.

3. Why Physical Security Matters?
 Physical security is a key component of your health and safety
regime.
 Physical security combines physical and procedural
measures. These measures are designed to prevent or
reduce threats to your people, information, and assets.

4. Why Physical Security Matters? (cont.)
 Keep your people, customers, and the public safe
 Prevent unauthorized people accessing your
premises, information, or assets
 Maintain the trust and confidence of the people and
organization's you serve or work with
 Deliver services without disruption in the event of a
heightened threat level or disaster

5. Why Physical Security Matter? (Cont.)
Physical security threats can come from your own people or from outside
your organisation (for example, visitors, contractors, the public, external
groups).
Threats can apply to people working in your office or normal place of
business. Different threats can be present when your people are working
away from the office, particularly when they are working alone.

6. Why Physical Security Matters?
(Cont.)
 Crime, including personal and property crime
 Workplace violence, such as assaults, harassment, and revenge attacks, from both insiders and
external parties
 Civil disturbances, such as protests and riots
 Natural disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, and pandemics
 Industrial disasters, such as explosions, building fires, and structural collapses
 Terrorist acts, such as bombings, extortion, ‘white powder’ incidents, and kidnappings
 Other risks, such as disturbed people and traffic accidents.
 Within your organisation, physical security breaches can be accidental. For example, if your people
aren’t alert to the risk of tailgating, they might allow unauthorized people access to your secure
areas.