First line of defence: the importance of perimeter protection

As the first line of defence against intruders and security breaches, effective perimeter protection should form an integral element of the security strategy for any business. Paul Adams, Head of Technology and Product Management at Kaba Ltd and Chairman of the Access and Asset Protection Section of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), explores the key considerations businesses should make when deploying perimeter protection.

When it comes to providing effective protection against intruders, the ability to secure the perimeter of a diverse range of vulnerable sites – as a first line of defence – is undoubtedly a key concern for organisations operating in a range of business sectors. Whether the location in question is an important part of the critical national infrastructure – such as a transport hub or power station – or a valuable private sector location such as a storage depot or warehouse, it is imperative that integrated and robust security measures are in place.

For many organisations, the area in need of protection can cover large geographical areas or contain several separate buildings or elements, which can mean that their perimeters are extensive and complex. The need to monitor these around the clock requires an effective security strategy which seamlessly combines various systems and technologies, enabling businesses to identify and address potential threats in a timely and effective manner.

A combination of technology, physical security and the deployment of trained personnel is often the most effective method of security integration, creating several layers of defence to protect the perimeter of a site or business.

 

A layered approach

A so-called ‘onion ring’ approach is often recommended for sensitive areas, or those covering a large geographical area. This approach involves the most at-risk area being strategically positioned at the core of a layered defence system, whereby several layers of security are used starting from the site’s perimeter all the way back to individual building security or main asset security in order to deter would-be intruders. The outer perimeter layer represents a key starting point in terms of physical protection combined with electronic and/or security patrols. Patrols with dogs can also be used. This approach is commonly deployed on large, sprawling sites with many separate buildings and elements, including ports and airports.

 

Physical security

As the first line of defence, physical security measures can provide a daunting deterrent to would-be intruders, while restricting access and directing visitor flow through the desired entrance and exit points. Gates, barriers, doors and fences are the obvious choices for perimeter protection, but attention should be paid to some key considerations when these are deployed.

Firstly, doors should be fitted with high quality cylinder locks or five-lever mortise locks, and should comply with the standard PAS24-1, entitled ‘Doors of Enhanced Security’. Areas not easily secured with lockable doors – such as turnstile entry points – should be covered with a security grade grille or shutter.

Similarly, security fencing and gates should be substantial and well-maintained with good quality locks. It may also be advisable to think about the installation of bollards or barriers on the entrances to car parks in order to prevent unauthorised vehicular access to a site.

 

A watchful eye on the perimeter

Undoubtedly, CCTV continues to play an important role in keeping a watchful eye on critical perimeter areas, acting both as a deterrent and an active measure for early intervention. More recently, demand for high-definition (HD) CCTV has been on the increase, which, when in place, offers the potential to deliver a much greater level of surveillance at critical or high-risk areas, such as site entrances and exits, and can also provide detailed footage to help secure convictions should a security breach occur.

Furthermore, to better secure the area, the deployment of thermal imaging cameras at regular intervals along the fence line can be an effective method of spotting intruders during the hours of darkness or adverse weather conditions. Detector-activated CCTV can also prove useful in providing 24-hour alerts to site managers responsible for large-scale sites, enabling security personnel on the ground to be deployed effectively when an alert is generated.

Looking more closely at remotely monitored, detector-activated CCTV, this is finding favour with businesses in a number of sectors across the UK, who are able to keep an eye on vulnerable areas by linking cameras and detectors – strategically positioned on the perimeter – to a privately-run Remote Video Response Centre (RVRC). Systems that are compliant with British Standard BS8418 can enable the operator to issue a verbal warning through on-site speakers to stop the intruder in their tracks, which has shown to be a sufficient deterrent in 90% of cases.

 

Controlling access

Should intruders be successful in breaching the wider perimeter of a site, effective access control measures can play a significant role in preventing further access to buildings. Access control provides the ability to control, monitor and restrict the movement of people, assets or vehicles in, out and round an area. This is essential for an organisation of any kind that experiences a busy footfall and wishes to secure specific areas from being accessed by non-personnel.

While traditionally consisting of elements such as turnstiles and key cards, the latest developments in access control technology include the use of biometrics – the unique physical characteristics of individuals, such as finger prints or iris recognition – to confirm the identity of individuals seeking to gain access to a restricted area. As the security risk increases, these identification factors should be used in combination to authenticate the user: Token (something you have), PIN (something you know), and Biometrics (something you are). Apply a single factor for general security, two of these factors where medium to high security levels are required, or all three for high to special security.

The scope of the technology is impressive in itself, and with environmental commitments and cost savings being high on the agenda for most organisations, effective utilisation of access control systems can offer the vital reductions that they’re looking for. Access control measures can be integrated with other systems – including energy management – to provide wider business benefits, such as the control the use of heating and lighting dependent on the location of people within the building.

Taking a general overview of the nature of perimeter protection, it is clear to see that integrating physical security measures with electronic systems provides an early warning and speedy response to potential breaches, especially for sites that do not have the resources and manpower to ensure that the whole site is being monitored 24 hours a day. Security specialists can provide expert advice on the implementation of a range of security measures to suit individual business needs and to counter a range of risks faced by businesses operating in varying business sectors.

 

To find out more about the solutions mentioned in this article, and the products and services offered by BSIA members, visit the BSIA’s website at www.bsia.co.uk.

 

 

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