What Is Physical Security And Why Is It Important
Physical security refers to the safeguards custom-designed to protect people, facilities, devices and assets such as hard drives, software, computers, laptops, network and servers, data and information.
The main concern here is to prevent actual real-life threats like access to unauthorized individuals, theft, vandalism, fraudulent activities, even natural disasters like fire or flood.
Implementing physical security measures in a home environment is as essential as it is for an enterprise or office building. The FBI has reported a total of 2109.9 property crimes per 100,000 people in 2019, which is more common in the US than violent crimes. Yet only 3% of Americans own a proper home security system.
Why Physical Security is Important
Often digital security breaches like brute force, malware, and other cyber-crimes capture all our attention, and we miss the fact that our doors are open to welcome physical dangers. A recent study on US state-based crime rates shows the District of Columbia tops in robbery rate in 2019, with 384.4 robberies per 100,000 inhabitants.
Here are the reasons why a robust physical security system is mandatory for protecting your home or office building –
- To protect your business and home assets: Be it your home office or business property, hundreds of equipment and tools are laid around the floor. Everyday work and the livelihood of a number of people depend on them to a great extent.
- To restrict unauthorized entry: Besides the assets, your family members’ safety should be a top priority. An organization should ensure their employees feel safe at work.
- To secure intellectual property: You can’t overlook intellectual properties like paperwork, external drives, prototypes or even a confidential conversation.
- To detect intrusion: Automatic motion-sensing lights are a great physical security option to keep an eye on any shady or unwanted element trespassing in your property.
Major Components of Physical Security
Pay heed to this three-layer comprehensive physical security plan for your home protection in Atlanta.
Access Control
Access control is the outer layer of the system, usually starting from the front door.
- Different types of lock systems – manual, programable, electronic locks
- Access control key cards and biometric authentication
- A post office box for business mails
- A motion-sensor doorbell camera for instant alert
- An intrusion detection system
- Appointing security personnel
- An alarm system to detect fire, theft or any service interruption
- Barbed fencing and maybe a protective layer of landscaping plants like cactuses
Surveillance
A strong surveillance system can protect you from criminal activities, intrusion or accidents.
- Video surveillance with a notification system to secure parking area
- Different sensor systems like motion, heat and smoke detection
- Integrate the sensory measures with your alarm system to notify you without any human intervention
- Surveillance cameras and CCTVs in every possible nook of your home and property
- Cloud-based security system to check any videotapes or crime reports on your phone
- 24/7 surveillance in collaboration with a security firm
Security Testing
The third and most effective step is to check your disaster recovery system almost every other day. Disasters won’t come with prior notice. Anytime it knocks at the door, you have to think on your feet. And you don’t want your security policies to betray at that moment.
Evacuation is now made easier with an advanced access control system. Run practice trials to ensure the adaptive measures are working fine to deal with any human-made or natural disaster that can cause severe damage to digital property or human safety.