Page 40 - Security Today, July/August 2018
P. 40

Be Strong
Asset and infrastructure protection: only as good as the weakest link
BTy Peter Boriskin
here are assets within our buildings, towns, states and across the nation that make up the totality of what can be considered a network of critical infrastructure. These assets include transportation systems, water/ power/gas utilities, information and communications
networks, and municipal and emergency services.
It is not an overstatement to say that protecting a single asset plays
a critical role in the health of the rest of the infrastructure network. Consider the importance of a single cell phone tower or fire depart- ment in the aftermath of a storm. Or, consider the need to keep natu- ral gas lines and power stations protected from any type of impact.
Looking at examples of how municipalities or governments pro- tect these assets can help businesses plan as well. Critical infrastruc-
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JULY/AUGUST 2018 | SECURITY TODAY
ture for businesses often shares similar needs with municipalities: how do we best protect servers, structures and the people who live and work in private buildings?
When we look at securing the assets that make up our critical in- frastructure we look at it with a two-pronged approach:
• How do we physically secure or safeguard these areas to keep out
individuals attempting to tamper with them?
• How do we make these assets resilient to natural disasters and
other emergency events?
The built environment has a major role to play in both of these areas, and physical security—including doors, door hardware and ac- cess control—is one of the most important considerations in protect- ing important assets.
MEDICAL CENTER SECURITY
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