Corporate Campus Physical Security: Best Practices Every Plan Should Have
Physical security best practices are essential to keep Corporate Campuses from experiencing vandalism, theft, and violence.
Introduction
Corporate campuses are often sprawling facilities with multiple buildings, parking lots, and other outdoor areas. With so many access control points and potential security risks, it's crucial for companies to implement robust physical security measures to protect their employees, assets, and intellectual property.
In this article, we'll explore some best practices for corporate campus physical security, including perimeter security barriers, access control, surveillance, and emergency preparedness.
Perimeter Security Barriers
Perimeter security is the first line of defense for any corporate campus. It involves securing the outer boundaries of the facility to prevent unauthorized access. There are several ways to achieve perimeter security, including:
Security Fencing
An anti-climb or anti-cut fence is one of the most effective ways to secure a corporate campus. It should be high enough to deter climbing and have a locking gate. Crash-rated fencing is something to consider in areas with a clear pathway for vehicles to build up speed prior to a collision.
Retractable Bollards
Bollards are short, sturdy posts placed in front of entrances and other vulnerable areas to prevent vehicles from ramming into buildings or gates. Utilizing Retractable Bollards are useful for areas where you may need vehicle access at certain times like for fire access.
Landscaping
Landscaping can be used to create natural barriers, such as hedges or thorny bushes, that deter intruders from entering the property. Building up mounds or an embankment can help around the perimeter of the property.
Access Control
Access control is the process of regulating who has access to different areas of the corporate campus. It's essential to prevent unauthorized entry into buildings, offices, parking lots, and other sensitive areas. Access control measures include:
Keycard Access
Employees should be issued keycards that grant them access to areas they’re authorized to enter. Keycards can also be used to monitor employee movements throughout the facility.
Visitor Management
Visitors should be required to check in at a designated entrance and be issued a temporary pass that limits their access to specific areas.
Pedestrian Gates
Access-controlled pedestrian gates can be key to managing authorized personnel or visitors entering specific areas of the campus on foot. This helps prevent unauthorized access, theft, or other criminal activity.
Traffic Arms
Traffic arms provide a physical barrier that prevents unauthorized vehicles from entering the campus. This can help to reduce the risk of theft, vandalism, and other criminal activities. By controlling the flow of vehicles, traffic arms can help to reduce congestion and improve the overall efficiency and security of the parking lot.
Automatic Gates
The presence of automatic gates can act as a deterrent to potential intruders, as it sends a clear signal that the campus is secured and monitored. Automatic gates can be beneficial for loading areas and less active entrances. Automatic gates can be operated remotely, allowing authorized individuals to enter and exit the campus without having to get out of vehicles or physically open the gate.
Biometric Authentication
Biometric authentication, such as fingerprint or facial recognition technology, can be used for high-security areas.
Optical Turnstiles
Optical turnstiles provide a secure entry point to the building or campus by preventing unauthorized access. The system only allows one person to pass through at a time, and it can be configured to detect and alert security personnel of any attempted breach. Optical turnstiles can be integrated with access control systems, such as security cameras, biometric scanners, or key card readers, to verify the identity of the person attempting to enter or exit the premises.
Detection and Monitoring
Surveillance is crucial for identifying potential security threats and detecting suspicious activity. Surveillance measures include:
Security Cameras
Security cameras should be strategically placed throughout the corporate campus to monitor activity in parking lots, entry points, and other areas.
Alarm Systems
Alarm systems should be installed in all buildings and sensitive areas. They should be monitored 24/7 by a security team that can respond quickly to any alerts.
Security Personnel
Security personnel should be stationed at key entry points and monitor the corporate campus for any suspicious activity.
Emergency Preparedness
Despite the best efforts to prevent security breaches, emergencies can still occur. Corporate campuses should have emergency preparedness plans in place to respond to various scenarios, including:
Active Shooter Situations
Employees should be trained on how to respond to an active shooter and have designated safe areas to take shelter.
Fire Emergencies
Corporate campuses should have fire safety protocols in place, including fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and emergency exits.
Natural Disasters
Corporate campuses located in areas prone to natural disasters, such as earthquakes or hurricanes, should have emergency plans in place to evacuate employees and secure assets.
Preventative Maintenance
By conducting regular preventive maintenance, the reliability, and longevity of security equipment, such as automated barriers, bollards, and automatic gates, can be improved, leading to enhanced performance and operational efficiency.
It can be advantageous to outsource maintenance to a professional security services company, such as Sloan Security Group, to ensure prompt and efficient support without disrupting the workflow of the internal team. Such companies offer round-the-clock emergency repair services, limiting any unnecessary downtime.
Conclusion
In conclusion, corporate campus physical security is essential for protecting employees, assets, and intellectual property. Companies should implement robust perimeter security, access control, surveillance, and emergency preparedness measures to ensure a safe and secure work environment. By prioritizing physical security, companies can minimize security risks and protect their business interests.
About Sloan Security Group, Inc. Sloan is quickly becoming the global leader in safe and effective perimeter security for distinctive brands and institutions such as Facebook (Meta), DoD, and DoS. Sloan specializes in vehicle barriers, access control, and intrusion detection.
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Media Contact
Terin Pickett
Marketing
Sloan Security Group, Inc.
6828 W. Melrose St.
Boise, ID 83709