Definition of Physical Security
Physical security refers to preventing unauthorized access to buildings, rooms, facilities, equipment, and other physical infrastructure. It also involves protecting people, property, and physical assets from threats such as theft, damage, destruction, burglary, vandalism, and other unauthorized activities or harm. Typical measures of physical security include implementing systems, processes, and measures designed to safeguard tangible assets and individuals. These measures include barriers, surveillance systems, security personnel, access control systems, locks, alarms, and environmental controls.
Most Common Measures of Physical Security
- Access Control Systems: These systems regulate who can enter specific areas of a facility. They often include keycards, biometric scanners, PIN codes, and physical barriers like doors and gates.
- Video Surveillance: Security cameras are used to monitor premises and deter criminal activities. Surveillance footage can be used for real-time monitoring and as evidence in case of incidents.
- Intrusion Detection Systems: These systems include motion sensors, glass break detectors, and door/window sensors to identify unauthorized entry or attempted breaches.
- Security Personnel: Employing trained security guards to monitor and protect the premises, especially during off-hours.
- Locks and Alarms: High-quality locks and alarm systems are essential for securing doors, windows, and other entry points.
- Environmental Controls: Measures like proper lighting, fencing, and landscaping can enhance security by making it harder for intruders to approach unnoticed.
- Server Room Security: Locking up server rooms and securing servers to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data
Why Physical Security is Important
- Physical security ensures the security of people's access to the organization's premises
- It ensures that unauthorized people cannot enter where they are not allowed or where they do not have permission
- Ensures the operation of various physical barriers such as entry systems, barriers, electronic security system, doors, locks, keys, etc.
How to Manage Access to Company Premises?
- See what options there are for controlling access to rooms and other spaces
How Aptien can help to control access in physical security
- You keep information about authorizations in the job description
- You keep an overview of your physical premises in the building register
- You keep an overview of the rooms in the room register
- You can add keys or access cards in the employee onboarding process
- In the employee offboarding process, you know what cards or keys the employee should return
- Thanks to the policy portal, the employee is familiar with company policies and procedures
- A fundamental process is issuing and withdrawing keys or access cards to employees