Physical Security Flashcards

Short, reinforced steel post anchored in concrete to prevent vehicle access while allowing pedestrians. Controls vehicular entry to protected areas. Can be used in rows or combined with barricades for high-security perimeters.

Security-controlled entry chamber between exterior and interior. Two electronically-controlled doors ensure only one threshold is passable at a time. Prevents tailgating and allows identity verification before interior access. Also called a "man trap."

Unauthorized person follows authorized person through a secured entry without presenting credentials. Primary countermeasure: access control vestibule. Secondary: security awareness training (employees challenge unescorted individuals).

Also called dual control. Policy requiring two authorized individuals present to access sensitive areas/assets. Neither can enter or act alone. Designed to prevent insider threats — bribery/coercion of one person cannot grant access without a second independent cooperator.

Closed Circuit Television. Video surveillance system where camera signals are transmitted to a closed, non-public network. Multiple cameras networked together, recorded over time. Can supplement or replace physical guards. Features: motion recognition, object detection (license plates, faces).

Camera feature that detects movement in the frame and automatically triggers alerts or begins recording. Reduces need for continuous human monitoring — guards are only notified when actual movement occurs. Key benefit: proactive alerting vs. passive recording.

Advanced camera feature that identifies specific objects — license plates, faces, weapons, packages — within the field of view. Enables automated identification of known vehicles/persons and flags unknown individuals. Supports both access control and forensic investigation.

Detects infrared radiation (heat) emitted by warm bodies. Works in complete darkness — unaffected by lighting conditions. Most common sensor in motion detectors. Ideal for server rooms, stairwells, and after-hours monitoring. Passive = receives IR; does not emit anything.

Detects change in force/weight on a surface. Installed under floor mats at entry points or on window frames. Triggers immediately when someone steps in a protected zone or applies force to a secured window. Point/surface detection rather than area coverage.

Emits microwave signals; detects movement by analyzing disturbances in the reflected signal. Covers large areas (hundreds to thousands of square meters) with a single unit. Best for: parking lots, warehouse floors, open exterior perimeters. Works day, night, and in adverse weather.

Emits ultrasonic sound waves; analyzes reflected echoes to detect motion or proximity. Best for enclosed spaces — server corridors, elevator lobbies. Can detect fine-grained movement. Also used in collision detection systems (automated doors, robotics).

Transparent (chain-link, wrought iron): guards can see outside to monitor threats. Opaque (solid panel, concrete): blocks visibility — conceals interior from outside view. Choice depends on threat model. High-security adds: robust construction (cut-resistant), height (2.4m+), and razor wire topper.

Three security reasons: (1) Attackers avoid well-lit areas — deterrent effect. (2) Non-IR cameras require light to see effectively. (3) Facial recognition requires proper lighting angle and coverage. Design must avoid shadows (hiding spots) and glare (camera blindness).

Identity credential (photo, name, RFID/smart chip) granting physical access to secured areas. Must be worn visibly at all times in secure facilities. Electronic systems log every entry/exit by cardholder — creates an audit trail for SIEM analysis. Unescorted person without visible badge should be immediately challenged.

Bollards and barricades. Fencing defines the perimeter but is not designed to stop vehicles at high speed. Bollards are specifically engineered to absorb vehicle impact — steel posts anchored in reinforced concrete. Not cameras, not guards (they can be bypassed), not badges.

Highest security vestibule configuration. All doors are normally locked. Unlocking one door prevents the others from being unlocked simultaneously. Requires active authorization for each passage — no one enters without explicit electronic grant. Used in: data centers, vaults, government SCIFs.