It follows that the solution for many end users is to set up only very basic protection at their building's perimeters. Sometimes, what's in place will amount to little more than demarcation. Security managers, it seems, often concentrate their system specification efforts on the buildings themselves.
If you have the choice, there are good reasons not to follow this route. All good security, you see, is based upon the 'onion principle' – in other words, the more obstacles (or 'layers') you place in the potential intruder's path, the longer the delay before they can reach their objectives and the higher the probability of early detection.
Today's perimeter protection systems can be likened to the introduction of intruder alarms. Intruders would often select properties and premises that weren't alarmed , as they didn't like the risk of being caught.
Taking care of aesthetics
In many cases the feel and look of a building is an important issue for those who occupy it. The less obvious the physical security elements, the more relaxed the occupants will be. If you have a really foolproof perimeter, such that would-be intruders cannot enter undetected, you can then improve your internal security as well as your external defences. A typical example would be a distribution depot, where a percentage of losses can be attributed to staff theft. Here, once a strong perimeter is in place, dishonest staff can no longer blame non-existent criminals breaking in from the outside.
For sites like depots, storage areas and industrial complexes, it's usually the case that there's little alternative to good perimeters when it comes to security provision. The challenge for end users – almost impossible until very recently, at least – has been to hunt down perimeter defences that are effective, not overly expensive and not unsightly.
Experience tells us that traditional perimeter security isn't really working. For the determined criminal – not to say the agile young opportunist – the full array of security solutions offered by the industry at present isn't obstacle enough. Not surprisingly this is causing increasing concern.
At many sites the criminals are breaching defences, and are doing so whether confronted by razor wire, palisade fencing, rotary toppings or the various types of detection and alarm system set up to spot them.
At present, there are two fundamental problems. The first is that most perimeter detection systems are still prone to false alarms. The second is that physical defences are often too passive. Barbed wire, razor wire and fencing panels essentially sit there waiting to be attacked. There's not much that's intimidating about them, and they certainly don't deter the serious intruder.
To be truly effective a perimeter should really provide an 'active' defence. It should hit back at intruders when they attack it. It should also be an 'intelligent' defence. As early in the attack as possible, it should make those who protect the building fully aware that an attack is indeed taking place.
Experience tells us that traditional perimeter security isn’t really working. For the determined criminal – not to say the agile young opportunist – the full array of security solutions offered by the industry at present isn’t obstacle enough
It should also be a practical solution (ie it should not look unsightly and disproportionate, and should not be prohibitively expensive). Both elements of which would make it unacceptable to the majority of end users.
Focusing on electrified perimeters
In the case of electrified perimeters, the 'active' element is provided by a short, sharp electric shock as intruders try to climb over the barrier or even touch it (the electric shock for all such systems is regulated and totally safe – but very painful). In accordance with BS EN 60335, warning signs should be placed at 10 metre intervals so that any would-be intruder knows what they are facing. These often prove to be a strong visual deterrent.
The wires themselves are surprisingly unobtrusive. As a result, when used as a fence or wall topping such systems are a lot less noticeable and (potentially) objectionable than coils of razor wire or the very eye-catching types of rotary topping systems (which can have a real visual impact on their locality).
'Intelligence' in a perimeter can only be provided by a truly robust detection system. Whatever the environmental conditions the system simply should not false alarm. And there should be absolutely no error threshold. It should be impossible for anyone to climb over, tamper with, cut or breach the perimeter without an alarm being generated.
In some cases, the robustness of the detection capability has been tested and proven by the Home Office. Following several days of determined assaults by the testing team, a SEAP rating can be awarded – giving the end user a clear idea of how effective the system really is. Another stamp of approval to look for in a potential perimeter security system is Secured By Design status for a 'police preferred specification'. SEAP Class 4 is the very highest security specification here.
The route to integrated security
Returning to intelligence, if the detection technology is 100% reliable it offers end users unprecedented potential for integration with CCTV and remote monitoring systems. Both those who set up the system and those that monitor it will know that whenever the alarm is triggered an attack of some sort has definitely been made on the perimeter.
In terms of planned response, the better systems on the market that are well installed and maintained will indeed provide early detection of any would-be intrusion attempt to cut, climb or penetrate the protected perimeter.
The need for today's stronger generation of perimeter systems can only grow as the more traditional 'passive' perimeters continue to be breached. Wherever you see barbed wire or razor wire, you can bet that the security manager and his employers are beset by a problem which, frankly, is not being solved.
Source
SMT
Postscript
Graham Harper is managing director of Harper Chalice
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