DESIGNING PHYSICALLY DEFENSIBLE SPACE WITH THE HELP OF IQM CONSULTANTS

SUPPORTING ARCHITECTS IN EQUIPMENT SELECTION

Design Considerations

Architects and managers should not work in a vacuum when planning the physical security aspects of your Defensible Space. Operations and production staff need to identify, for architects, the flow and limitations of the plan. IQM serves as the conduit. This involvement will keep the project in touch with reality. Personnel, who observe the day to day operations, can contribute to the formation of psychological inducement and deterrents. This thought process will evolve into the overall security policies and the implementing procedures. Thus, the represented body of the work force will have "ownership" in the resulting system matrix. IQM counsels in the framing of protective policy, design of security systems and protective procedures. This agency can further assist in the implementation of CRIME FREE-WORKPLACE strategies through training of supervisors.

Selecting The System Methods

Available resources should be used to the best advantage. Emphasis will be given to the purpose of the operation so to pick the most cost effective physical security solutions. The systems need to be tailored to the individual site without resorting to a "cookie cutter." There is a relationship between the site, systems components and the analysis of risk and the countermeasures.

IQM can help you work through the elements in this process:

  • Environmental considerations;
  • Psychological barriers and desired behavior;
  • Physical barriers and practical paths;
  • Unobstructed visibility for confidence and surveillance;
  • Adequate lighting for observation and deterrence;
  • Access control methods screen movements of people and product;
  • Secure and functional communication systems;
  • Intrusion detection and alarm sounding;
  • Assessment capability for verification; and,
  • Appropriate response to detected concerns.

Choosing The System Components

Budget limitations are an early consideration. Physical security hardware comes in many levels of quality and performance. The subsystems start with people and property identification and tracking. This allows controlled access authorization or denial. It may also be called upon to support inventory and cash control. The perimeter equipment's involved are fences and walls with controlled gates with locks. Intrusion is to be detected and alarms sounded for a monitored evaluation and response. Computers read the access system and lights and television cameras provide visual assessment. Computers working sensitive information have protective considerations of their own. Electrical systems are needed to ensure uninterruptable power to all those components. The right balance of quality and performance is to be found to get complete coverage in a cost effective way.

References

Design Concerns

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