Common Physical Security Threats

What are physical security threats? 

Whether you have an existing property or are building something brand new, physical threats should be taken seriously. Because understanding these threats allows you to prepare to handle them, it can save your company money in the long run. 

 But how do you approach these different threats? 

BBRSS has many methods and products to protect your business, building, facility, or warehouse during physical security scenarios. Understanding the nature of each allows for situational awareness and scenario-specific improvements. Security is fluid and locating areas of improvement is a continuous endeavor.

What are the Most Common Physical Security Threats?

Terrorism

Terrorism is the most destructive physical security threat. Government entities have terrorism countermeasures in place. However, evaluating your security protocols and products in response to a terroristic scenario is vital. Do security personnel know protocol in response to a potential terrorist attack? 

Natural Disasters

This type of threat is almost impossible to prepare for; however, every attempt should be made to do so. The broad scope of natural disasters, from earthquakes and floods to wildfires, requires scenario-specific protocols. 

Being prepared and having a plan in place can go a long way to minimizing the destructive nature of these disasters. Make sure anyone who is in the building knows what to do when these events arise. 

Tailgating

This problem can almost fall under a normal data breach but having someone who shouldn’t have access to your building can become a big problem. Active shooters, unauthorized personal, or just ordinary folks that wander in can quickly become a large problem. 

Tailgating refers to when someone who is unauthorized follows someone who does have access into a secure area. An easy fix to this problem is by installing anti-tailgating doors. However, that can be expensive. Another cheaper way to help prevent this is by providing physical security training for all employees. Being aware of the risk is half the battle.

Related: Why Use Bollards?

Theft and Burglary

Underestimating theft and burglary can significantly diminish the effectiveness of building operation and security. The significance of theft and burglary is the ability of security personnel to predict attack methods in advance. Prediction allows for measures to be enacted and installed to limit access. As the size of the facility or building increases, so does the complexity of the issue. Taking the time to understand site-specific vulnerabilities from burglars and criminals will assist in appropriate security protocols, procedures, and security product installation.

Vandalism

Vandalism is defined as any activity that involves the deliberate destruction, damage, or defacement of public or private property. Vandalism is not a harmless act but a crime threatening the very fabric of your physical security. Vandalism centers around property damage, but the threat can be significantly reduced by implementing adequate perimeter physical security. Perimeter security using natural barriers, fencing, bollards, and gates.

Related: Buyer’s Guide to Choosing A Cantilever Sliding Gate

These are only the most common types of physical security threats. BBRSS recommends taking the time to layer your security measures and products and including them in strategic protocols. Doing so will help provide better overall security and make it harder for security measures to be bypassed by any physical security threat.  

Call BBRSS for a complete evaluation.

What Are the Types of Physical Security?

There can be many different ways you can increase your security against physical threats. However, here are some of the most common you should work towards implementing in your building. Even within these topics, there can be complex layers. That’s why having a professional can make this process more accessible than ever.

BBRSS has years of experience to help you set up the perfect system for your building. 

Access Control

Having limited access to specific areas of your building is the first step in keeping your employees safe. Because modern keyless entry systems are a standard in defense against these unauthorized breaches, however, these systems work best only when you have the best technology. 

Commonly things like keycards or pin-pads are used at entry points. Some access systems allow different levels of credentials within the same system. If you decide to utilize a cloud-based system, you will need additional software. Be sure to include system updates and maintenance within your security plan. You may opt to have remote access. However, that will require more downtime of your security system. 

Surveillance Tools

Having a surveillance system such as a video camera and CCTV system in place at multiple entry points can lead to a safer building. This visual insight offers an overall view of your property. Having the proper system can make building security easy. 

Exterior doors should be outfitted with cameras that can withstand the elements. In contrast, indoor cameras’ most significant concern is where they are focusing on mounting options and any data storage space requirements. 

Real-time footage or live surveillance systems are best suited for this type of security. It can also be helpful to have a recorded file of the video footage. Having a log of footage can support cases during emergencies while providing analytics to improve the system. 

Some of these systems can easily integrate with your VMS to associate visual data and entry activities. This can be a powerful feature for your security system. 

Emergency Preparedness 

Knowledge is power, and education is a critical component of successful physical security for your building. By ensuring that employees, tenants, admin, or anyone else who needs daily access to the building know and fully understands the new security changes, you have a better chance of avoiding physical security threats. 

Once the system is in place, regular testing is a must. You should run these drills with any on-site teams and continue to test any remote channels. 

Make sure your administrators have access to things like:

• Lockdown plans
• Trigger unlock requests
• Power to revoke user access

Security Training

Ensuring that your staff is knowledgeable in the security system can ensure that it’s being used properly. This information can also provide staff confidence that they can handle the situation. While not all can be avoided, being alert can deter many physical security threats. 

Security Guard

Having a trained professional on-site can also help alleviate many physical security threats at a location. This is also an affordable way to make staff or tenets feel safe and allow for daily comings and goings. 

Final Word 

Being proactive against physical security threats is the best way to prevent damage from happening. While we can’t always stop everything, like natural disasters, having a plan can alleviate unnecessary damage.