In an effort to keep up with the evolving tech-driven risk landscape, most organizations maintain a basic suite of physical security systems. This suite regularly includes technologies for video surveillance, access control and intrusion detection. Often, the fundamental underpinning of these security systems is the concept of strategic layering. This practice extends across the entire industry, in cyber and physical security alike.
In physical security, strategic layering strives to create a defense in depth with redundancy to deter, detect, deny and delay potential adversaries from gaining access to critical areas and assets.
A layered defense model creates multiple barriers and detection points and utilizes an integrated system design where technologies complement each other. Layering different physical security systems and methods compensates for the possibility that a threat manages to succeed getting past the first layer. If that happens, the next layer of security will provide alternative methods to detect or stop them.
Let’s break down how elements of this comprehensive approach to physical security could be applied.
Deter: The first layer of a defense in depth strategy often includes physical barriers (e.g., fence or wall) and surveillance cameras.
Detect: Should the threat proceed, the next layer may offer different technologies including proactive video monitoring and alarm systems.
Deny: Access control systems are a basic element in any physical security plan but they also provide methods to deny entrance to restricted areas and provide data on access attempts throughout an environment. In this layer, physical security personnel may be used depending on the risk profile of the protected asset.
Delay: Deeper layers of this strategy may involve a hardening of security resources such as creating an area of retreat.
As new technologies emerge or physical security systems offer more integrated solutions, it is key to stay true to the concept of strategic layering to more fully provide comprehensive protection and defense in depth.