Inside the Security Mind: Making the Tough Decisions

Thinking in Zones

Zoning is a process that is essential for making any security decision. Briefly, zoning is the process by which we define and isolate different subjects and objects based on their unique security requirements. Again, I use the standard terms “subjects” and “objects” because we could really be talking about anything. Zoning is most commonly thought of as a network-based solution, but truly, the concept of zoning is fundamental to all security decisions. A store pharmacy could, for instance, be classified into three zones, or three separate places where security is treated in a different manner. There is the front counter, where the customer requests the drugs and provides payment; there is the technician, who relays the request ...