Security Guards and Cameras


  • surveillance is a second layer of security
    • improve resilience of perimeter gateways
    • focused on perimeter areas or within security zones

Security Guards

  • human security guards
    • can
      • monitor critical checkpoints
      • verify identification
      • allow or disallow access
      • log physical entry events
      • apply knowledge and intuition to events
    • provide visual deterrent
      • very effective intrusion detection and deterrence
      • but expensive

Video Surveillance

Video surveillance is a physical security control that uses cameras and recording devices to visually monitor the activity in a certain area.

  •  typically a second layer of security designed to improve the resilience of perimeter gateways
  • cheaper means of surveillance
    • but not if infrastructure is not setup
  • effective deterrent
  • movement and access can be recorded
  • response times are longer
  • may be focused on perimeter areas or within security zones
  • implemented as:
    • closed-circuit television (CCTV)
      • older-style
      • cameras in CCTV network are typically connected to a multiplexer using coaxial cable
        • multiplexer
          • can display images from cameras on one or more screens
          • allow operator to control camera functions
    • IP network
      • newer cameras
  • can use AI/ML to implement smart physical security:
    • motion recognition
      • occurs when camera system is configured with gait identification technology
      • generates an alert when anyone within sight of the camera moves in a patter that does not match a known authorized individual
    • object detection
      • occurs when the camera system detects changes to the environment
        • e.g., missing server or unknown device connected
    • facial recognition
      • can detect human subjects by face
    • drones/UAV
      • cameras mounted on drones
      • cover wider areas than ground based patrols