Every property is unique. From its size and features to its intended purposes and security risks, many factors must be taken into account during the security planning process for each individual property. Ensuring the safety of assets and people, managing traffic flow, and maintaining aesthetic appeal all require thoughtful perimeter security design expertise.
Since 1985, TYMETAL Corp has been an industry leader in delivering innovative perimeter security solutions. We understand everything involved in security planning. Let's explore why perimeter security is so crucial and how you can design effective security solutions tailored to any site.
Understanding the Vital Role of Perimeter Security
Detection and deterrence are two essential elements in keeping businesses and properties safe from security threats and criminal activity. Think of perimeter security as the first line of defense for commercial, industrial, municipal, and government properties. Protecting internal structures, assets, and people begins with preventing unauthorized access from outside forces. Fencing, barriers, and gates help manage the flow of traffic—both vehicular and pedestrian—into and out of the property.
Crash barriers provide extra protection for critical assets that are vulnerable to vehicle incursions and crowd control, as needed. Lighting, video surveillance, and other electronic systems also play a key role in detecting activity and deterring potential threats.
Why an Effective Perimeter Security Solution Is Essential
What do government and military installations, healthcare facilities, manufacturing complexes, utilities, energy providers, educational institutions, and communication properties have in common? They all require robust perimeter security. Critical sites like these, along with retail properties, airports, and other locations, face significant risks of violence and disruptions that can interfere with normal operations.
Global crime statistics show a concerning trend. A five-year study published by the National Library of Medicine analyzed violent crime on public and commercial properties in Atlanta, Georgia, from 2012 to 2017, finding more than 7,300 violent incidents. This is just one city among many facing similar challenges.
Increased threats from criminal activity, including vehicle ramming attacks, make perimeter security a necessity. With proper perimeter security measures in place, it’s possible to deter and detect criminal activity. It can also slow down unauthorized access attempts and buy valuable time for other security measures to activate. Ultimately, perimeter security solutions are the first line of defense in protecting people and resources that matter most.
Assessing Your Perimeter Security Needs
Recognizing the need for strong perimeter security is just the first step in planning. Implementing the right solutions for the site is critical. This requires a comprehensive assessment to identify vulnerabilities, the assets that need protection, and site-specific challenges that must be addressed.
Evaluating Vulnerabilities: The First Step in Security Design
Once you know how criminals and hostile actors might try to gain entry, you can develop a plan to stop them effectively. By identifying the most exposed sensitive areas that could be targeted, you can get a broad overview of what’s needed to counter potential disruptions. Ask yourself how someone might accidentally or intentionally cause harm.
Common areas of potential weakness to consider include:
The general area: What is the crime rate like here? Is it located in a place prone to terrorism or violent crime?
Entrances and exits: How many are there, and what measures are in place to ensure only authorized individuals gain access? What controls are in place for parking lots and building entrances?
The environment: Are there environmental challenges that must be considered, such as flood risks or other natural disasters?
Traffic: What is the average number of vehicles entering and exiting the property daily? How many pedestrians access the area? Perhaps even more importantly, what are the ramming capabilities of vehicles?
Surveillance capabilities: How much visibility does the current surveillance system offer? Are there blind spots?
Employee training: Do security personnel understand the policies and procedures required to safeguard the site? Are there enough personnel on hand, or is the area understaffed?
Identifying Critical Assets: What Requires Protection
Once you’ve identified weak points, determine exactly what the perimeter security system will protect. For example, on a military base, personnel and sensitive information are among the critical assets. A financial institution may need to protect pedestrians, employees, and data systems. An energy supplier would have equipment and sensitive machinery to protect.
Planning Your Perimeter Security Strategy
After thoroughly assessing the property’s unique needs and risks, security planning can begin in earnest. A layered approach leveraging security zones and multiple layers creates a multi-tiered defense. Taking a layered approach ensures optimal security with complementary features and technologies.
Combining multiple technologies, such as alarm and monitoring systems, fences and walls, and gates and barriers, can address various facility requirements. Would it be better to spot intruders at the outer edge of the property or wait until they are close enough to cause harm? The answer is clear.
With a zoned, layered approach, it’s possible to detect potential intrusions faster and more easily. For instance, the entire outer perimeter might feature a fence that prevents intruders from climbing over or under it. Security cameras, lighting, and gated access points provide details about where an intrusion occurs while controlling traffic flow.
Physical Security Measures: Controlling Access
Fencing and barriers control access and provide a strong deterrent. The psychological impact of a robust fencing system conveys the property’s commitment to security and may deter criminals from attempting entry.
Barriers and bollards are another important consideration. Depending on the results of vehicle approach analysis completed as part of the risk assessment, these measures may be necessary. Even if the property doesn’t have straight, perpendicular roadways that pose a significant ramming risk, barriers can still be useful for directing traffic and protecting assets.
In addition to fencing and barriers, security gates help control access to the site. The key is to select gate options that can withstand environmental conditions and secure openings effectively. Vertical lift and overhead gates work well for openings with limited clearance, while pedestrian portals and swing gates control individual access to protected areas.
Security Lighting: Enhancing Visibility and Deterrent Effect
Like fences, strategically placed lighting discourages criminals who prefer to operate undetected. Good lighting makes it easier for security personnel to assess threats and respond quickly. It also enhances visibility, optimizing the capabilities of any surveillance systems in place. This proactive approach also improves the property’s aesthetic appeal.
Electronic Security Systems
Intrusion detection sensors, such as radar systems, can pinpoint the location of objects or people using GPS. These systems also effectively determine where movement occurs and the rate of speed, which can help predict potential points of contact. Having monitoring systems set up around the perimeter and connected to a central monitoring station can be invaluable.
Surveillance Cameras: Eyes on Your Perimeter
Surveillance systems, including video cameras and sensors, allow those responsible for the property to visually identify threats in real time. They also enable security professionals to track movement, pinpoint incident locations, and gather evidence for investigations.
Access Control Systems: Managing Entry Points
How do vehicles and people enter the property? Secure perimeters include manual gates staffed by security personnel or automatic gates requiring access codes for authorized entry. Implementing these barriers prevents unauthorized vehicles and visitors from entering before they can get close enough to cause harm.
Alarm and Detection Systems
Perimeter protection provides security at entry points and openings. However, if a criminal gets through that protection, it’s essential to have secondary and tertiary lines of defense. Alarm and detection systems ensure that if the worst happens, the security team can respond appropriately. Some systems to consider include:
Glass-break sensors that detect frequencies indicative of breaking glass.
Balanced magnetic switches that detect openings of skylights, gates, windows, or doors.
Motion sensors that can detect frequencies and changes in thermal energy.
Pressure mats and switches that trigger alarms when abnormal pressure is applied, providing targeted protection for specific areas or objects.
Contact TYMETAL for Assistance with Designing Your Commercial Security Perimeter
TYMETAL understands the need for aesthetics, durability, and reliable performance. Decades of experience as an industry leader and the ability to design custom perimeter security solutions make us the go-to resource for help with all types of security planning. From aiding in designs and layouts to fabricating custom solutions, TYMETAL is your single source for exceptional products and superior service.
Contact our specifications and design team today to discuss your unique security needs.
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Latest TYMETAL News
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