Physical Security Surveys Flashcards

A surveyor observes that security cameras are positioned with a bright window in the background during daytime. This MOST likely causes:

Answer: Overexposure and silhouetting that reduces subject visibility

Backlighting from windows causes silhouetting, where the subject appears as a dark shape against the bright background, severely reducing identification capability.

When assessing a facility's visitor management program, which practice represents the HIGHEST security standard?

Answer: Visitors are pre-registered, photo-badged, and escorted at all times in sensitive areas

Pre-registration, photo identification badging, and constant escort in sensitive areas provides the most comprehensive visitor accountability and access control.

In a physical security survey, 'deter, detect, delay, respond' describes:

Answer: The four core functions of a physical security program

These four functions form the foundational framework of physical security: deterring threats, detecting intrusions, delaying attackers, and enabling timely response.

A facility has a fence with a gap underneath large enough to crawl through. In security survey terminology, this is classified as a:

Answer: Physical vulnerability requiring remediation

Any penetrable gap in a perimeter barrier is a physical vulnerability that directly undermines the barrier's protective function and requires correction.

Which of the following BEST demonstrates 'security by obscurity' as a supplemental tactic in a physical security survey context?

Answer: Avoiding publication of facility layouts while maintaining robust physical controls

Limiting public knowledge of facility details can supplement strong physical controls, but should never be the primary or sole security measure.

During a survey, the surveyor should evaluate the 'response time' of the local law enforcement or security force. Why is this critical?

Answer: It establishes how long delay measures must hold an intruder for effective response

Physical delay measures (locks, barriers, safes) must be rated to withstand intrusion longer than the response time to ensure intervention before the asset is compromised.

When a physical security survey identifies a vulnerability that cannot be immediately corrected due to budget constraints, the surveyor should recommend:

Answer: Interim compensating controls and a timeline for permanent remediation

Compensating controls temporarily mitigate the risk while a permanent fix is planned and funded, ensuring the vulnerability is managed rather than ignored.