This document provides an overview of physical security strategies and controls. It discusses four key strategies: territoriality, natural surveillance, activity support, and access control. Various physical security controls are described, including locks, biometrics, lighting, alarms, closed-circuit television, fences, barriers, patrols, and interior safeguards. The goals of a physical security system are to provide the necessary level of protection through balancing security needs with operational and aesthetic concerns.

1. Physical Security Primer
Dr. Eric Vanderburg
Director, Information Systems and Security
JURINNOV LTD

2. Objectives
• Explain physical security strategies
• Describe physical security controls
• Understand the role of physical security

3. 3
4 Key Strategies
1. Territoriality
2. Natural Surveillance
3. Activity Support
4. Access Control

4. 4
Territoriality
Most people tend to protect area that
they feel is their own, and have a
certain amount of respect for
other’s. Fences, pavement
treatments, signs and landscaping all
help to express ownership.

5. 5
Natural Surveillance
• This is almost entirely based off of the fact that
criminals do not want to be seen.
• Place physical activities, features and people in a
way that they can be observed
• Remove trees, sheds, bushes and other sight
obstructions

6. 6
Access Control
• Properly located entrances/exits
• Fencing
• Lighting
• Receptionist at a front desk
• A neighbor sitting on their front porch

7. 7
An Overview of Physical Controls
Concentric Zone Theory – based on the premise
that the more valuable an asset is, the more
protection it needs
3 Basic Lines of Physical Defense:
1. The perimeter of the facility
2. The building exterior
3. The interior

8. 8
Locks
• Key, key card or smart card
operated
• Remains one of the oldest,
most commonly used
methods of access control

9. Biometrics
The science of using individual
physiological features or behavioral
characteristics to positively identify
a person
9
Examples: fingerprint, iris/retinal
scans, hand geometry, voice, et al.

10. Lighting
• Intruders want darkness to cover their actions
• 3 out of 4 commercial burglaries are committed within
buildings with little or no light
• Types:
10
1. Continuous
2. Standby
3. Moveable
4. Emergency

11. 11
Lighting
• Perimeter Lighting
• Floodlights
• Street lights
• Fresnal units
• Searchlights

12. 12
Alarm uses
• Burglar
• Fire
• Temperature
• Humidity
•Water flow
• Electrical power

13. 13
Alarm system types
Local – sound on the premises only
• Proprietary – a constantly-manned alarm
panel operated by the owner
• Central Station – similar to proprietary,
except usually operated off premises by an
alarm company
• Police Connected – the alarm is directed via
phone lines to the nearest police dept.

14. 14
Alarms – False Alarms
• More than 90% of all intrusion alarms are false
alarms, resulting in needless expense and risks
on the part of responders.
• Because of the high number of false alarms,
many cities prohibit alarms connected directly
to the police department.

15. 15
Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)
• A generic term, generally meaning a system in
which a number of video cameras are
connected in a closed circuit or loop, where the
images are sent to a central television monitor
or recorded.
• CCTV systems range from basic system to very
complicated networks.

16. 16
Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)
Cameras may be overt or covert, or semi-covert.
• Overt – out in the open
• Covert – hidden
• Semi- Covert – cameras are in public view
but behind a one-way transparent covering.

17. 17
CCTV other technology
• Internet Protocol Video (IP)
• Video can be sent across a company’s data network
so that it can be viewed wherever the company
chooses.
• These can cause bandwidth and digital storage
issues for a company’s network.
• Thermal Imaging – operates on the principle that all
objects emit infrared energy that can be seen using a
thermal imager
• Night Cameras – most popular kind use image
intensification that amplifies available visible and near-infrared
light to achieve better vision

18. Privacy concerns…
• There is concern over the amount of, or rather lack
of, privacy by private, non-criminal citizens
through the extensive use of surveillance
methods.
• Some cities are passing legislation to govern these
types of devices and their use.
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19. 19
The Perimeter
• Fences – 2 basic types
• Ornamental
• Chain Link –
effectiveness can be
increased by adding
razor wire, barbed wire,
etc.

20. 20
The Perimeter
• Surveillance Cameras
• Vehicle Barriers
• Active – require some action by a person
or equipment to be raised into place
• Passive – a fixed device with no moving
parts, such as guard rails, concrete poles,
etc.

21. 21
The Perimeter
• Patrols
• Security Officers
• Patrol or Guard Dog units – roam
alone inside a perimeter or building
to deter intruders

22. 22
The Perimeter
• Signs
• Physical Layout
When possible, we should always try to
maintain a clear zone of 20 feet on either
side of the perimeter

23. 23
Building Exterior controls
• For some facilities, the exterior is the first line of
defense.
• Panic or Crash Bars
A device located on the inside of a door only. It
allows the door to opened in case of a fire, but
has no hardware on the outside that can be used
to open the door.

24. 24
The Building Exterior
• Keys for effective security:
• Strong, locked doors
• Limited number of entrances
• Secured openings (>96 sq. inches)
• Alarms
• Surveillance
• Lighting

25. The Building Interior
• Internal physical controls are usually required
along with external controls.
• Secure areas should be separated from non-secure
areas if possible.
25

26. The Building Interior - Safeguards:
• Locks
• Alarms
• Mirrors
• Document
shredders
• Vaults/ safes
• Bolt down large,
moveable
equipment
• Lock down devices
on office equipment
• Surveillance systems
26

27. 27
The Command Center
• Should be linked to the security control
center
• Should be in a tightly controlled area
• Can also monitor access
• Increasingly, staff members of the command
center can also handle computer network
issues if need be.

28. 28
The Physical Security System
• The goal is to provide the amount of security
needed - neither too much nor too little.
• This is a balancing act between aesthetic,
operational, safety and security needs.

29. The Physical Security System
• Physical Security Users: a group comprised of the
people who own the property being protected,
the people who work at or visit the facility, and the
security forces themselves.
• Physical security footprint – the mark left during or
after a security action that the public sees and lets
them know security is present.
29

30. For assistance or additional information
• Phone: 216-664-1100
• Web: www.jurinnov.com
• Email: Eric.Vanderburg@jurinnov.com
JurInnov Ltd.
The Idea Center
1375 Euclid Avenue, Suite 400
Cleveland, Ohio 44115