Site Layout, Fencing, and Lighting

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Physical Security Through Environmental Design

Physical security through environmental design is an approach to security that uses the built environment to enhance security and prevent crime.

• designs physical spaces, buildings, and landscapes to promote nonobvious security features
• can be a cost-effective way to improve security
  • easily incorporates design elements into new or existing structures at a low cost

Barricades and Entry/Exit Points

A barricade is something that prevents access.

• no barricade is completely effective
• purpose is to channel people through defined entry and exit points
• each entry point should have an authentication mechanism
• use surveillance mechanisms
  • ensure detection of attempts to penetrate barricades

Fencing

Security fencing is a security barrier designed to prevent unauthorized access to a site perimeter.

• security fencing needs to be:
  • transparent
    • guards need to see attempts to penetrate
  • robust
    • difficult to cut
  • secure against climbing
    • making it tall and using razor wire
• drawback
  • gives intimidating appearance to building
  • companies may not want that

Lighting

Security lighting is a physical security mechanisms that ensure a site is sufficiently illuminated for employees and guests to feel safe and for camera-based surveillance systems to work well.

• acts as deterrent
  • by making intrusion more difficult
  • making surveillance easier
• important in making impression that building is safe and secure at night
• design needs to account for:
  • overall light level
  • lighting of particular surfaces or areas
  • avoid areas of shadow and glare

Bollards

Bollards are sturdy vertical post installed to control road traffic or designed to prevent ram-raiding and vehicle-ramming attacks.

• can be nonobvious and appear as sculptures or building design elements
• can be fixed or retractable
• purpose
  • protecting pedestrians from vehicles
  • prevent unauthorized vehicle access
  • providing perimeter security for critical infrastructure

Existing Structures

• may be few options to adjust site layout in existing premises
• use the following principles:
  • Locate secure zones as deep within the building as possible, avoiding external walls, doors, and windows.
    • e.g., equipment rooms
  • Use a demilitarized zone design for the physical space
    • Position public access areas so that guests do not pass near secure zones
    • Security mechanisms in public areas should be highly visible to increase deterrence
  • Use signage and warnings to enforce the idea that security is tightly controlled
    • “no trespassing” signs
    • signs from the security companies whose services they are using
  • entry points to secure zones should be discreet
    • Do not allow an intruder the opportunity to inspect security mechanisms protecting such zones
      • or even to know where they are
    • Use industrial camouflage to make buildings and gateways protecting high-value assets unobtrusive
      • or create high-visibility decoy areas to draw out potential threat actors
  • Try to minimize traffic passing between zones
    • The flow of people should be “in and out” rather than “across and between”
  • Give high-traffic public areas high visibility to hinder the covert use of gateways, network access ports, and computer equipment, and simplify surveillance
  • In secure zones, position display screens or input devices away from pathways or windows
    • Use one-way glass only visible from the inside out so no one can look in through windows