Internal Building Security Proposal - Report Example

Running Head: INTERNAL SECURITY FOR BUILDING Internal building security proposal for industrial building June 02 iNTRODUCTION Increasing incidents of terrorism and industrial espionage has heightened the threat perceptions for industrial buildings. Industrial buildings are structures where industrial related activities such as manufacturing, material processing, data entry and processing, and other commercial activities are carried out. Entry to such buildings is usually restricted to employees and for authorized visitors. However, it is important to install a security system that monitors the internal movements of personnel, and checks on visitors (Dempsey, 2011). This paper discusses three important aspects of internal security and these are Access control, Surveillance, and Protection of high-value areas. 2. Access Control Access control is the method of implementing security systems to control the movement of people and material into and out of the building, and through various other access points in the building. An industrial building has several areas that have different levels of security. A canteen or a common room has relatively less security and almost all staff that works in the building are allowed entry. On the other hand, certain areas such as server rooms, labs, conference rooms, offices of managers, data storage rooms, are termed as high value areas, and entry/ exit is strictly regulated in such areas (Diane, 1994). Technology provides a number of features for access control, and a centralized security system provides the best control system. Each gate, door, fire escape doorways, entry doors for material receipt, needs to have access controls. Devices used for access control include single entry rotating turn gates, where a rotating wheel with four arms moves to allow only one person when a smart card is swiped, and smart cards where the card has to be swiped in front of a card reader to open the doors. Other access control systems are motion detectors that detect when a person approaches a door and open both automatically or when a swipe card is flashed at a card reader, sensors, face recognition systems, biometric systems with retina or finger print scans, and other device (Fennelly & Lombardi, 2009). These devices must be integrated with a central server, so that a system administrator can add/ remove/ upgrade the access rights to the staff. Such a facility, allows the administrator to allow or deny entry into specific areas of the building. Visitors can be given a temporary swipe card, which as an expiration date and time. The swipe card for staff is integrated with the HR module of attendance, and it logs the earliest and last entry of the employee into the building. High-end systems such as biometric systems, makes it difficult for hackers to hack into the security system and change the data (Luis et al. 2004). 3. Surveillance Surveillance is an important aspect of internal building security systems. It involves monitoring and keeping a watch in the corridors, at the access gates and doorways, workplaces, important areas, stairways and landings and other areas. Cameras with motion detectors are useful in high security areas, and when the office is closed. The motion detectors use infrared sensors to detect if a person enters an area, and the motion is recorded through a camera (Stroik, 2011). Wireless detectors with features such as pressure sensitive pad, heat senor pads and infrared detectors, allow any movement to be detected inside the building. These can be connected to alarm systems that sound when any authorized entry is detected. Sensitive and confidential items such as products, or USB drives, data recording devices, are detected by using a detector baton, which is moved over the body of an individual. Any metallic object is detected and an alert is sounded. Security guards are additionally instructed to physically check the handbags and pockets, purses and satchels of people at the main access points. If the security people suspect that, an individual is hiding some assets that cannot be discovered by surface and body scanners, they need to ask the person to step inside a special room, where a strip search can be performed (Fennelly & Lombardi, 2009). In product manufacturing and process areas, wall mounted cameras keep track of the activity in the room. However, these systems need a constant watch by security personnel, who can immediately detect if an individual attempts to hide an object. Constant surveillance through cameras, can act as a de-motivator for the staff. Besides, when a large number of cameras are used, it is difficult for the security to monitor all the cameras. With the increased use of smart phones with high end cameras and easy availability of spy cameras, it becomes increasingly challenging to mount an effective surveillance (Luis et al. 2004). 4. Protection of high-value areas High value areas in the building have assets that have high value for the organization. The value can be in terms of monetary costs, new product design, laboratories, computer server and data storage rooms, etc. These must to be protected by using additional access, and surveillance controls. These areas are protected by using multiple access control systems, with restricted entry. This means that access is given only to specially authorized and cleared individuals. The access cards of these people have special codes and the security doors open only when these cards are swiped. Additionally, biometric evaluations, photo ID cards, are also provided. In some very high value areas, extra security personnel are deployed who check the photo ID with the users and allow access (Dempsey, 2011). Server rooms and storage areas are vulnerable from physical and hacking attacks. The above methods provide protection against physical intrusion, where a person physically enters the area to steal the assets. However, hackers can gain access through remote methods. Hence, a highly secure system with adequate firewalls and authentication is needed (Fennelly & Lombardi, 2009). 5. Conclusions The previous sections have proposed different methods and devices for the internal security of an industrial building. Modern technology provides news tools and devices to provide security. However, modern thieves and intruders master these technologies, manage to subvert and overcome the systems, and gain access. A good security system needs adequate security personnel, who are well trained and alert. Hence, it is important to have a modern security systems, operated by well trained personnel. References Dempsey, J. (2011). Introduction to Private Security. Thompson Higher Education: CA. Diane, (1994). Industrial Security Manual for Safeguarding Classified Information. DIANE Publishing Company: NY. Fennelly, L. J. & Lombardi, J. H. (2009). Spotlight on Security for Real Estate Managers. Institute of Real Estate Management: Pennsylvania, USA. Luis, E. S., Tyska, L. A. & Fennelly, L. F. (2004). Office and Office Building Security, 2nd edition. Gulf Professional Publishing: CA. Stroik, J. S. (2011). Building Security, 3rd edition. American Society for Testing and Materials: Baltimore, USA. Read More