What Is Physical Security?

Key takeaways

• Physical security encompasses the safeguards and protocols designed to protect the physical assets of an organization.

• Physical security solutions such as smart sensors restrict access to critical organizational spaces.

• Access restrictions, surveillance systems, disaster management systems, and physical security assessments are among the common types of physical security.

Personnel who oversee security plans and devices are also an example of physical security. In the following article, learn the purpose of physical security, why it matters to your organization, and how to implement these measures.

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What is physical security?

Physical security refers to the measures and controls used to protect physical assets within an organization. This might include people, hardware, software, data, and networks. You can maintain physical security by restricting access to places or networks, creating protections against environmental hazards, or increasing security monitoring.

What is the purpose of physical security solutions?

The main purpose of physical security is protecting people, equipment, and facilities from harm. Physical security can be thought of as the first layer of protection against potential threats, keeping unauthorized people away from sensitive information and places. Instead of limiting physical security to the front door, you can layer physical security measures and safeguard against several types of threats. These layers work together to create a safer physical environment, decreasing risks to the business, organization, individuals, and information.

What is an example of physical security?

An example of physical security is the use of CCTV cameras, traffic surveillance cameras, smart sensors, and other devices to ensure the safety and security of a given area. Physical security also includes the personnel overseeing these devices and implementing additional security plans.

How to maintain physical security

Depending on your firm’s security standing and the type of assets you need to protect, you may choose to layer different types of physical security measures, such as access restrictions, surveillance systems, disaster management systems, and physical security assessments.

Access restrictions

You can set access restrictions to limit who can enter certain areas, including spaces that may contain protected equipment and information. You can achieve this by using locks, security guards, key card systems, biometric systems, or other methods. If a breach occurs, lockdown controls and an alarm system should indicate the compromised state of the building.

Read more: Data Security Breach: What They Are, How They Happen, and More

Surveillance systems

Install surveillance systems like video cameras to monitor the premises and detect suspicious activity. These systems can serve as both a deterrent and a means of recording evidence in the event of an incident.

Disaster management systems

Protection against natural disasters such as fires, hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes can be critical in certain areas. This can involve elevated floors, fire suppression systems, data backups, and building reinforcements.

Physical security assessments

To ensure you are adequately protecting your company, security systems should be regularly tested. This can also act as a “test run” for companies to assess how they respond to security threats and what areas they may need to improve upon. If procedures do not run smoothly during testing, organizations can implement new policies in case a real event occurs.

What is a physical security specialist?

A physical security specialist investigates unusual activity to identify threats in specific areas. This may involve job responsibilities such as setting up and maintaining video surveillance systems, overseeing the design and implementation of new security systems, and making ongoing recommendations to improve current infrastructure.

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