Physical security systems are not a new concept, but they are equal in importance to cyber security measures when it comes to protecting people, property, and assets, as Roger Humphreys of Charter Global explains
Historically, perimeter security mostly referred to the protection of high-risk sites such as military facilities and critical national infrastructure as a response to serious threats like violent assaults, targeted threats and in the worst cases, terrorist attacks. However, advancements in technology and manufacturing capabilities have broadened the applications of perimeter and building security, expanding into more common sectors like commercial, retail, transportation, and even residential applications.
Security has become a top priority across almost every industry, and as companies now depend on IT infrastructure to carry out day-to-day operations, securing the digital network makes practical sense. Naturally businesses invest heavily in cyber-security, but in today’s economic climate, this is not sufficient.
Let’s get physical
Physical security components such as keypads, ID badges, biometric logins and security guards will limit access for unauthorised individuals, but the more elemental line of defence is the building itself. Considering the fabric, such as doors, windows, and other access points is key to establishing best practice when it comes to the design of physical security.
Designers, architects, and security professionals alike are responsible for risk control. This task encompasses elements such as cost, security, and aesthetics. Different physical security threats such as vandalism, sabotage, terrorism, and natural disasters can be addressed within every stage of the design, implementation, and, importantly, maintenance of the property.
It is important to have a holistic approach when dealing with physical security because one measure alone will never be enough.
Within the industry there is a common understanding; the best method of security is based on a layered model of various security measures that serve to deter, detect, and delay intrusions.
The Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) describe this approach as follows:
“It is always important to ensure suitable physical security measures are in place and that those measures provide sufficient delay to enable the intruder to be detected and a suitable response mounted to apprehend the intruder.”
The LPS 1175 standard is one of many physical security standards by the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB).
It can be used in a range of applications, from residential right through to critical infrastructure projects. The ratings are a way of grading how effective a product is at delaying an attack.
The LPS 1175 standard comprises a number of security ratings with test requirements of ascending intensity. These are measured in terms of attack tools and time available to the attacker, and enables specifiers to select products according to the risks that they and their property face. The basis of issue 7 of the standard was that if an attacker is likely to use more severe tools, then they’ll also be more committed to the attack, so will spend longer trying to defeat the product before abandoning the attempt. However, the more recent issue of LPS 1175 (issue 8), separates out the attack time from the attacking tools, effectively allowing you to layer the security more effectively.
LPCB approval ensures that the security products offered in the marketplace are the best available for the job. To retain certification, manufacturers must undergo ongoing auditing to ensure that they have thorough and effective quality control procedures in place in their manufacturing processes; not only does the mark guarantee a security resistance, but it also guarantees an effective quality control process.
The impact of physical security on property insurance
For buildings that house items of high value, such as artworks and cultural exhibitions, insurance is a necessity. The Government Indemnity Scheme (GIS) supports cultural buildings to exhibit art by offering an alternative to insurance. However, one of the stipulations is high performance physical security.
This isn’t always as straightforward as it sounds. Museums, galleries, and cultural centres are often housed in historic buildings or those with protection orders. Attaching high security doors and shutters into existing infrastructure is at best not easy and often, not permitted at all without specialist building work.
By being involved from the initial stages of a project, shutter designers are able to work closely with architects to offer solutions that overcome the structural limitations of the building while maintaining the aesthetics.
For example, using an intelligent security shutter system, hood boxes, shutter barrels and guide rails can be totally recessed into ceilings and wall cavities, keeping the roller shutters completely hidden from sight when not in use. Not only that, small roll sizes and encrypted external keypad controllers to eliminate the need for less attractive manual locks, can all be incorporated within a scheme.
Using specialist manufacturers of security rated products ensures that the result is an extremely sleek finish that complements a building’s elegant architecture, while also protecting it to the highest level of security.
Physical security can cover a wide range of aspects, but the most overriding aspect is to plan a strategy that has a layered approach and to consider products that meet the accreditations and standards for the physical security industry. Assess the risks, look at the threats and take a holistic view to ensure that the products implemented are the most suitable for the business or dwelling as well as the type of property. The cost to property, hardware, critical business data, employees or even family if you do not have the optimum measures in place is far greater.
Roger Humphreys is managing director at Charter Global