Physical Security - CompTIA SY0-701 Security+ - 1.2

IT Security: The Importance of Physical Security

Understanding Physical Security Measures

• IT security professionals must be knowledgeable in both digital and physical security to effectively protect assets.

• Common physical security methods include barricades or bollards that channel pedestrian access while preventing vehicle entry, often marked with bright colors for visibility.

• Alternative barricade designs can involve natural barriers like water, requiring controlled access via bridges.

Access Control Mechanisms

• Access control vestibules serve as secure transition areas where individuals must pass through before entering a building, enhancing security by controlling entry points.

• Various configurations exist for these vestibules, including locked doors that prevent simultaneous access from multiple entries.

• Card readers or biometric systems are commonly used at vestibule entrances to authenticate individuals before granting further access.

Additional Physical Security Controls

• Fences are a visible form of physical security; they can be transparent or opaque and should be robust enough to deter unauthorized access.

• High fences with deterrents like razor wire may be employed in high-security areas to prevent climbing over the barrier.

Surveillance and Monitoring Techniques

• CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) systems enhance monitoring capabilities by using intelligent cameras equipped with motion detection and object recognition features.

• These cameras are typically networked to a central storage system for comprehensive surveillance coverage across multiple locations.

Human Oversight in Security Protocols

• In addition to automated systems, human security personnel play a crucial role in validating authorized individuals entering facilities.

• Two-person integrity is often implemented where two guards work together to ensure compliance with security policies and procedures.

Identification Systems and Lighting Solutions

• Employees are required to wear identification badges visibly at all times, which integrate with electronic locks for tracking access events.

Enhancing Security with Lighting and Technology

Importance of Proper Lighting

• Effective security requires well-lit areas to deter unauthorized access, as visibility is crucial for preventing break-ins.

• Selecting the right lighting is essential; it should illuminate entire spaces adequately, especially when using cameras for facial recognition.

Surveillance Technologies

• Infrared technology allows cameras to detect activity in both light and dark conditions without needing additional lighting.

• Motion detection can also utilize pressure sensors that alert security systems when changes in force are detected, indicating movement in a monitored area.

Advanced Detection Methods

• For larger areas, microwave technologies offer efficient movement detection over extensive spaces compared to infrared systems.