Physical Security
Perhaps the most fundamental aspect of loss prevention is physical security. Put simply, physical security is the protection of people, property, and assets. It is a foundational aspect of loss prevention. Preventing loss means protecting employees and customers from harm, protecting products, data, and services from being stolen, and protecting the integrity of perimeters and structures.
Every component of a physical security system must function properly at all times, without exception. Any equipment breakdown, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, should be considered an unacceptable exposure and should be repaired immediately. Even the slightest vulnerability in this area at the wrong time or the wrong place could result in a catastrophic loss.
There are several components to consider when evaluating or designing a physical security system strategy. From alarm systems to lighting systems to CCTV systems, there are many things to consider. The location of a facility will affect its physical security needs. Other factors such as demographics and topography will affect them as well. It is important to consider these things when evaluating the need for various physical security components.
- Intrusion Alarm Systems are designed to detect and deny intruders from gaining access to assets. They are composed of several different devices, each with a specific purpose. In short, these systems ensure that detection devices are installed in and adequately cover areas of specific vulnerabilities. When these devices are triggered, the intrusion alarm system performs various functions to deny any further progression into a facility.
- Motion Detectors
- These devices do exactly what their name implies – detect motion. When motion is detected by these devices, they send a signal to the intrusion alarm system panel. These signals can be used to do several things i.e. activate lighting, activate sirens, send notifications, and even activate bollards. There are several types of motion detectors.
- Infrared motion detectors use electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than those of visible light and shorter than radio waves. It is invisible to the human eye.
- Ultrasonic motion sensors use sound with frequencies greater than 20 kilohertz. This frequency is at the upper audible limit of human hearing in young adults. The physical principles of acoustic waves apply to ultrasound, like any other frequency range.
- Passive infrared sensors are electronic sensors that measure infrared light radiating from objects. These are most often used in PIR-based motion detectors. PIR sensors are commonly used in security alarms, access control, and automatic lighting applications.
- Active motion sensors are based on radar technology. They work by transmitting and receiving radio waves that bounce back when hitting a moving object. These are commonly used in intrusion alarm systems.
- Vibration motion sensors detect minute vibrations caused by objects or people moving within an area.
- Microwave sensors use continuous waves of microwave radiation to detect motion, similar to how a radar speed gun works.
- CCTV systems can also serve as motion detectors by evaluating pixel changes within a specified area. When the threshold for pixel changes is exceeded, motion is detected, and a signal is sent to the intrusion alarm system.
- These devices do exactly what their name implies – detect motion. When motion is detected by these devices, they send a signal to the intrusion alarm system panel. These signals can be used to do several things i.e. activate lighting, activate sirens, send notifications, and even activate bollards. There are several types of motion detectors.
- Door Contacts
- Door Contacts are an integral part of a physical security system and can be mounted on a surface or recessed. These are simple, two-part switches composed of a magnetic device and a sensor body, which activate when separated. Typically used on door and window openings, they are designed to alert the intrusion alarm system panel when a door or window is opened. These devices can be used on virtually anything that opens, i.e., a file cabinet door or a safe opening. There are several types of door contacts:
- Overhead contact sensors.
- Roller ball contact sensors.
- Surface mount door contact sensors.
- Pull-apart contact sensors.
- Recessed Contact Sensors.
- Door Contacts are an integral part of a physical security system and can be mounted on a surface or recessed. These are simple, two-part switches composed of a magnetic device and a sensor body, which activate when separated. Typically used on door and window openings, they are designed to alert the intrusion alarm system panel when a door or window is opened. These devices can be used on virtually anything that opens, i.e., a file cabinet door or a safe opening. There are several types of door contacts:
- Glass Break Detectors
- Glass break detectors are sensors that are usually placed within 20 to 25 feet of glass to detect the vibration or sound of breaking glass. They are commonly used to identify breaking or flexing glass doors or storefront windows. When tripped by an audible or percussive sound, a signal is sent to the intrusion alarm panel. There are two types of glass break detectors:
- Acoustic sensors.
- These sensors “listen” for a specific frequency associated with breaking glass. If this frequency is detected, the acoustic glass break detector will be activated, and a signal will be sent to the alarm panel.
- Shock sensors.
- These are different from acoustic sensors in that they are physically installed on a window pane. When movement is detected, the shock sensor is activated, and a signal is sent to the alarm panel.
- Acoustic sensors.
- Glass break detectors are sensors that are usually placed within 20 to 25 feet of glass to detect the vibration or sound of breaking glass. They are commonly used to identify breaking or flexing glass doors or storefront windows. When tripped by an audible or percussive sound, a signal is sent to the intrusion alarm panel. There are two types of glass break detectors:
- Sirens
- Sirens are another critical component of an intrusion alarm system. They are acoustic sound devices designed to send attention-grabbing, high-decibel sounds over a large geographic area. They serve two main purposes:
- First, they are used to alert others within earshot that something needs attention at the siren’s location, drawing attention from neighbors and passers-by by emanating a loud and annoying sound.
- The second use for sirens is to alert perpetrators to the fact that there is an active intrusion alarm system in place and that others are being alerted. In addition to this, the siren, if loud enough, can become so irritating that it forces perpetrators to flee quickly, thereby mitigating loss or damage.
- Sirens are another critical component of an intrusion alarm system. They are acoustic sound devices designed to send attention-grabbing, high-decibel sounds over a large geographic area. They serve two main purposes:
- Monitoring
- Intrusion alarm systems are typically monitored by a security provider, which receives signals from intrusion alarm systems. Security providers typically utilize central station monitoring services. These are usually UL-listed facilities designed to maintain and monitor alarm signal connectivity to subscribed intrusion alarm systems, with redundant locations. There are essentially two types of monitoring services:
- Central Station Alarm Monitoring
- Central station monitoring is fairly standard for traditional intrusion alarm system monitoring. Essentially, when an alarm signal is received from an intrusion alarm system through a POTS (plain old telephone system) line, a cell phone transmitter, or a network signal; a central station alarm monitor would then follow an established protocol to alert necessary systems or persons to the alarm. This could mean reaching out to a police station or sheriff’s department for dispatch to the alarm location, or an individual responsible for the alarm location such as a business owner or manager.
- Interactive Alarm Monitoring
- Interactive alarm monitoring is similar to central station alarm monitoring yet different in that two-way communication and video verification can be utilized. This is typically associated with alarms wherein a video segment is included in the signal transmission to the central monitoring station. When a video signal is received, the video can be used to confirm the existence of a condition or a perpetrator to alert authorities. Some systems are also equipped with “talk down” capabilities, where a central station monitor can speak through the connection to the alarm location, instructing intruders to leave the premises or alerting them to the fact that they are being watched and that authorities are en route to the alarm location.
- Central Station Alarm Monitoring
- Intrusion alarm systems are typically monitored by a security provider, which receives signals from intrusion alarm systems. Security providers typically utilize central station monitoring services. These are usually UL-listed facilities designed to maintain and monitor alarm signal connectivity to subscribed intrusion alarm systems, with redundant locations. There are essentially two types of monitoring services:
- Motion Detectors
- Fire Alarm Systems
- These systems are designed according to NFPA standards and are only serviced or installed by licensed NICET fire alarm technicians. They are designed to alert central monitoring stations that an initiating device such as a pull station, heat detector, smoke detector, or blown sprinkler head has been activated. They serve to detect and report fire characteristic values.
- CCTV
- Closed Circuit Television is the use of video cameras to transmit video to a specific place or set of monitors. It is different from traditional TV in that its signal is not openly transmitted; rather, transmitted from one point to another, or among multiple points within a network.
- There are multiple types of CCTV cameras:
- Dome cameras are used indoors and outdoors. They are wall-mounted. Their unique dome shape makes it difficult to determine the camera’s field of view. They are easy to install and have vandal-resistant features.
- Bullet cameras are long and cylindrical. They are ideal for outdoor use and long-distance viewing. Their construction makes them ideal for outdoor use. They are easy to install and usually have strong, protective cases.
- C-Mount Cameras are ideal for indoor use. Their lenses are easily detachable, allowing for simple lens changes to fit a number of different applications and distances.
- Day/Night Cameras are capable of operating well in low-light environments, capturing clear images where IR images will not suffice. They are ideal for surveillance applications.
- PTZ Cameras are able to pan, tilt, and zoom, allowing them to capture video from left to right, up and down, and at varying distances. These cameras are ideal candidates for surveillance applications.
- There are essentially two types of video recording systems:
- DVR systems, or Digital Video Recording systems, have been used for decades. They are the workhorse of most CCTV systems. They are cost-effective, reliable, and capable of capturing high-quality video footage.
- NVR systems, or Network Video Recording systems, are easy to install and are very easy to access remotely. They are flexible and provide a means to store video on the network, out of harm’s way.
- There are multiple types of CCTV cameras:
- Closed Circuit Television is the use of video cameras to transmit video to a specific place or set of monitors. It is different from traditional TV in that its signal is not openly transmitted; rather, transmitted from one point to another, or among multiple points within a network.
- Lighting
- Lighting is an essential component of physical security. It creates a sense of safety. It also has significant deterrent value, making crime concealment much more difficult. Put simply, adequate lighting shines the light on crime. The brighter an environment, the less likely it is for crime to occur. An example of this principle can be found in the truth that vehicle thefts are more prevalent in poorly lit areas (Levy & Tartaro, 2010) and “Improved street lighting is widely thought to be an effective means of preventing crime, second in importance only to increased police presence” (Clarke, 2008).
- Aisle placement
- Consideration should be given to the orientation of product aisles. Ideally, aisle configuration would prioritize visual access by salesfloor employees. Care should be taken to ensure that aisle placement does not create any occupyable silos where one can unpackage merchandise or place stolen goods on their person without being detected or seen. When considering aisle placement, it is important to avoid creating any blindspots.
- Theft prevention
- There are many strategies designed to prevent theft. The important thing to consider in this effort is to avoid creating more friction by over-securing or over-tagging items to the point where it is just too difficult to make a purchase. Care should be taken to ensure transactions are as seamless as possible.
- Some SKU’s are more prone to theft than others; for those items, several options exist to prevent theft without creating additional friction.
- Product securement, tagging, and labeling
- Screamer Tags
- These tags are affixed to products using various means, all with the same goal: to emit a high-pitched, nagging alarm if they are detached. This alarm is designed to alert employees that a potential theft of an item might be occurring.
- EAS Systems
- Similar to screamer tags, electronic article surveillance system (EAS) tags are affixed to products using various means. Hard and soft EAS tags are affixed to theft-prone products, which are deactivated at a sales counter or cash register when purchased. EAS sensors, or “towers” are installed at entrances and exits, and detect tags that have not been deactivated, thus alerting employees to a potential theft incident.
- Lanyards
- There are many different types of lanyards. Some of them are active, which requires changing batteries to maintain their operability, while others are passive, serving only to make snatching a product from a fixture more difficult.
- Peghook Stoplocks
- These devices are small, yet quite conspicuous and very effective. They are designed to protect high-value, pegged products and require a trained and equipped employee to deactivate. Once deactivated, the peghook stoplock is removed from the peg, allowing the product to be removed. While these can significantly reduce theft with high-value items, the peghook stoplocks do add some additional friction to high-value, pegged-item purchases.
- Physical Security Strategies to Reduce Theft
- Security Bollards
- Security bollards are short, sturdy, vertical structures, usually in the form of posts, designed to resist vehicle impacts and protect pedestrians, buildings, or critical infrastructure. Made of heavy-gauge steel or reinforced concrete, they absorb crash forces and transfer them into the ground, preventing entry. They come in fixed, removable, and retractable (automatic) designs. While these can be very effective in preventing the breach of an entry system, the cost of automatic retractable security bollards can be prohibitive
- Entrance Turnstile Gates
- These devices are typically installed inside retail stores in the entrance lane area. They swing open to allow customers to enter the sales floor. Once inside, the gates close, preventing customers from exiting through the entrance lane. These devices are usually found in higher-crime areas and can be instrumental in preventing grab-and-dash incidents.
- Perimeter Fencing
- The primary purpose of a perimeter fence is to establish a secure, controlled border, which serves as an outer boundary. It provides the first line of defense to clearly mark property lines, deter unauthorized access, protect assets, and create a controlled or defined environment. Many security systems can be integrated into a perimeter fence to detect and prevent breaches. Some of these are:
- Fence-mounted cables
- Fiber optic lines
- Infrared beams
- Laser-based detection systems
- Buried cable detection systems
- The primary purpose of a perimeter fence is to establish a secure, controlled border, which serves as an outer boundary. It provides the first line of defense to clearly mark property lines, deter unauthorized access, protect assets, and create a controlled or defined environment. Many security systems can be integrated into a perimeter fence to detect and prevent breaches. Some of these are:
- Expandable Barriers
- These barriers are made of steel, aluminium, fiberglass, or plastic, and are designed to prevent entry into a facility by presenting an imposing and seemingly formidable barrier just inside or outside an entry system. These expandable barriers range from inexpensive economy grades to somewhat pricey high-security grades and can be a very effective passive deterrent for facility intrusion prevention. They are especially useful in glass entry applications, where entry doors and side panels can be easily shattered, allowing entry to a facility.
- Mobile Security Systems
- These security systems are primarily used outside of a facility in the parking lot or at a jobsite. They are solar powered, utilize IP cameras, and have the ability to “talk down” through loudspeakers or to sound an alarm. They are equipped for videofied monitoring, and can be moved from one facility or area to another. These devices are ideal for high-crime areas and remote job sites.
- Security Bollards
- Screamer Tags
- Product securement, tagging, and labeling
- POS
- Cash Office
Personnel Security
- Background Checks
- Training
- Greeting
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