Integrated Security Systems Design

7 Physical Security Elements

Physical security is the most basic countermeasure and one of the most effective. When one of my early mentors was extolling the virtues of electronic security, I stated that I believed that physical security was more important than electronics. When my mentor challenged me to cite an example, I asked him to imagine a steel frame structure out in an empty field. On the structure would be hung video cameras, intercoms, alarm sensors, card readers, locks, etc. but without the benefit of walls, doors, etc.—just the steel frame in a field to support all these devices. I asked, “We have a complete security system. But does the security system offer any security?” Of course not, he said, and conceded the point.

Physical ...