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Physical Security: the People and Process | Week 4

Sometimes it's easy to dive deep into an IT department and get carried away with security regarding servers, ACLs, firewalls, antivirus programs, monitoring software, and all that technical jazz. There is another aspect to information security however that gets easily overlooked, and that is the physical security monitoring the people who make up an organization. From employees to vendors, from contractors to outside sales reps, any organization with physical office space or even physical server space needs to have detailed insights into who is accessing what, and when.  

Technology and automated controls still play a big part in the physical security of people and data, and many organizations have combined the two aspects into one department. It’s been my experience however that the two aspects of information security have stayed relatively separate in the organizations I have worked for.  

One project I worked on a couple years ago was to build out a security operations center (SOC). The SOC is a command center that monitors access, cameras across multiple geographies, update physical badge access, track vendors and guests who are on the property, and monitor logs of all door access. At its heart is people. It is fully staffed 24/7 with designated people to monitor real-time cameras and access. Other people monitor and report on log access while others are out on the grounds driving around the campus, directing traffic, ensuring vendors are parking where they should. Emergency response plans are mapped out, training for general employees and security personnel is required on an annual basis, and automated controls are used where available to streamline operations. 

The most critical aspect of the SOC is process. Every process and procedure is documented and communicated out. Everything is logged and auditable. Emergency response plans are mapped out, training for general employees and security personnel is required on an annual basis, and automated controls are used where available to streamline operations.  


  

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