LESSON 2: PHYSICAL SECURITY

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this chapter, the student will be able to:
1. Hypothesize the basic concepts of physical security as used in
any installation or physical system;
2. Explain the purpose and advantages of physical barriers;
3. Explain the three lines of defense and cite examples; Illustrate
protective alarm sensors; and
4. Characterize and determine effective protective lighting.
CONCEPT:
Physical Security is the broadest branch of security which is actually a
system of barriers placed between potential intruders and the matters
to be protected. It is concerned with the physical measures adopted to
prevent unauthorized access to equipment, facilities, material, and
documents, and to safeguard them against espionage, sabotage
damage and theft. It covers other types of security to protect
equipment, documents, facilities and materials against theft damage,
sabotage or espionage. It also encompasses protection of personnel
from any criminal act (Bobier ,2016; Corpuz & Delizo, 2011; Hipolito &
Manwong, 2008).
Physical barrier
It is a natural or manufactured obstacle to the
movement of person, animals, vehicles or material. It
defines physical limits to and delays or prevents
penetration of an area (Bobier, 2016 & POA publishing LLC,
2003).
Advantage of Physical Barriers
1. Physical barriers become a psychological deterrence
when a potential intruder is discouraged from accessing a
facility because the barriers appear to present difficulties.
2. Actual difficulty in getting through physical barriers.
3. Reducing the cost of security staffing by substituting
barriers for people, and placing security posts in locations
that complement barriers.
Purpose of Physical Barriers

1. To control the movement of people and vehicles into,

out of, and within the facility.
2. To segregate or compartmentalize sensitive areas.
3. To provide physical protection to objects, materials, and
processes of critical nature.
Types of Physical Security

1. Active- it refers to the using different types of barriers

to delay unauthorized entry. Methods used;
a. Overt method - it refers to the physical security
measures which can be seen by the intruder.
b. Covert method - it refers to the concealed physical
security measure, example is the alarm system of the
establishment.
2. Passive- refers to the using of psychological
approach. It only serve as the deterrence for some
unauthorized entry.

Barriers - This is refer to any physical structure whether

natural or man-made capable of restricting, deterring,
delaying or preventing illegal and unauthorized access to
an installation.
 Two General Types of Barriers
1. Natural Barriers - these are offered by natural structures
which could obstruct or delay the passage way of potential
intruders, such as desert, mountains and bodies of water.
Example: mountains, cliffs, seas, deserts, or terrain
2. Man-made Barriers - these are structure created by man
or other physical means to deter or impede penetration, such
as building, fences, doors and others. Example: fences, walls,
floors, roof, grills, bars, roadblocks.
Specific Types of Barriers:
1. Natural barriers
2. Structural barriers. Those features constructed by man regardless of their
original intent to delay the intruder. Examples. Walls, doors, windows, licks, fences,
cabinets
3. Human Barriers. Persons being used in providing a guarding system. Examples:
guards, office personnel, shop workers.
4. Animal Barriers. Animals are used in partially providing a guarding system.
Examples are shepherd dog, Dogs, goose, turkeys.
5. Energy Barriers. Usually electrical and electronic devices that could assist
security personnel in detecting intruders, examples are protected lighting and
alarm system.
Levels of Physical Security
Also varies depending on the type and location of facility,
and other factors needing security (Corpuz & Delizo, 2011). The
level of physical could be any of the following:
1. Minimum Security. A system designed to delay unauthorized
external activity such as intrusion to armed attack.
2. Low level Security. Designed to obstruct and detect some
unauthorized external activity such as on department store,
warehouses.
3. Medium security. Designed to obstruct, detect and assess most
external activity and some unauthorized internal activity,
conspiracy to commit sabotage.

4. High level security. Designed to obstruct, detect and assess

most unauthorized external and internal activities such as certain
prisons.

5. Maximum security. Includes the application of the sophisticated

alarm system and on site response force.
 Line of Physical Defense
1. First line. The perimeter barrier which fences, gates and others. The
major purpose of the use of perimeter as barrier is to deny access or exit
of unauthorized persons (bobier, 2016).
2. Second line. The building exteriors which includes walls, doors and
roof, they are not constructed primarily as security barriers but they
have the potential to deter penetration (POA publishing LLC, 2003).
3. Third line. The interior control which includes the file room, vault and
safe.
Purpose of the Perimeter Barrier

1. To define the boundary of the property to be secured;

2. To create a physical and psychological deterrent to unauthorized
entry.
3. To deny intrusion, thus facilitating the apprehension of intruders.
4. To assist in a more efficient and economical employment of
guards.
5. To facilitate and improve the control of pedestrian and vehicular
traffic.
 Perimeter Barrier Openings
1. Gates and Doors
2. Windows and similar openings
3. Sidewalks elevators. Elevated parts of the land near the perimeter
barrier or first line.
4. Utilities openings. Such as drains, air pipes, exhaust tunnels and
ventilations.
5. Clear zone. Is an unobstructed area maintained on both sides of
the perimeter barriers.
Types of Perimeter Barriers

1. Fence. The independent structure designed to control physical

and visual access between outside to the inside.
a. Solid fence - made of opaque material in such a way that
visual access through the fence structure is denied.
b. Full-view fence - constructed in such a manner that visual
access is permitted.
SOLID FENCE
FULL VIEW FENCE
2. Building walls - they are being constructed to
provide uniform protection just like walls, floor,
roofs or their combinations.

3. Bodies of water - this type of barriers can be

added with some security measures like wire
fence, concrete walling and flood lighting.
Additional Protective Measures

1. Top Guard - is an additional overhang of barbed wire placed on

vertical perimeter fences facing upward and outward, this will
increases the protective height and prevent easy access.
2. Guard Control Stations - provided at main entrance of the
perimeter and manned by guard on a full-time basis.
TOP GUARD
GUARD CONTROL STATION
3. Tower or guard towers - is a house-like structures above
the perimeter barriers and it gives psychological effect to
the intruders that there might be someone watching.

4. Signs and notices or control signs - necessary in the

management of unauthorized entry, includes identification
cards, prohibited and exclusive areas signs.
TOWER OR GUARD TOWERS
SIGNS AND NOTICES OR CONTROL SIGNS
 Perimeter Guards
1. Fixed Post - Security guards are assigned in a particular place of
the compound to guard and watch the area of jurisdictions.
2. Patrol or Roving - Security guards is required to walk and go
around regularly in the area of jurisdictions. In conducting patrols,
guards should avoid regular route and uniform schedule.
A guard system that cannot be checked on is not a secured
guard system.
In double checking guards could be done by;

a. Personal Inspection - Security supervisor or officers' conduct on-

the-spot and random inspection of the guard in fixed post.
b. Artificial Inspection - done through clock strategically installed
around the perimeter and by using handheld two-way radio and
other communication gadgets.