Page 42 - Security Today, October 2018

Security Solutions
FPacilities may require something simple and low-tech
rotecting government agencies requires the widest palette Many government installations, such as nuclear power plants, of security solutions with facilities ranging from a storefront ports and airports are fronted or surrounded by a lake, river or other military recruitment center to a bustling international airport body of water. Anchored and/or floating fences made of stainless steel or a biological research center. No matter the facility’s size, rope help block water access.
location or the people and assets being protected, security begins at Explosive-filled vehicles have become the weapon of choice
building entries and perimeters. It is about keeping the bad guys out. The technology exists to meet the threats of an armed disgruntled former employee or even a common burglar. The challenge is having
the right technology at the right place before it is needed.
Protecting the Perimeter
Sometimes perimeter protection solutions are simple and low-tech. Fencing, gates and immoveable barriers, such as bollards, are ideal for protecting perimeters. Fencing can be made stronger by adding razor wire to discourage climbers. Setting the fence into concrete- filled trenches can slow diggers. By weaving fiber optic cable woven through the fence it’s possible to detect people attempting to cut their way into the facility. Look for nearby trees or outbuildings that could be used to scale the fence. Burying twisted-pair cable throughout the perimeter helps detect movement across open areas.
among many terrorists. Specialized fencing, made from the same cable used to stop fighter jets landing on aircraft carriers, is capable of stopping a 15,000-pound truck traveling at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. Make sure to look for a fence’s K-rating, a measure of how much kinetic energy—speed plus weight—it can resist.
Gates provide both pedestrian and vehicular entries. They should be designed so a government security officer can open them after verifying visitors’ identities and reason to enter. This can be accom- plished by a manned presence at the gate or remotely using video intercoms. These units allow an officer in a security operations center (SOC) to see and have a two-way conversation with visitors before unlocking a gate or raising a barrier.
Installing surveillance cameras add a wider views of entries and facility perimeters. Cameras are force-multipliers providing an extra set of “eyes” on a critical facility. High-resolution cameras can capture
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GOVERNMENT SECURITY OCTOBER 2018
By Paul Hefty
Keeping the Bad Guys Out
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