Learning from the Terrorist Attacks on the United States, Part 3: Security, The Prime Directive

• NCJ Number: 194975
• Journal: Campus Law Enforcement Journal Volume: 32 Issue: 2 Dated: March/April 2002 Pages: 14-18
• Author(s): Dennis C. Hamilton
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 5 pages
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article reviews an organization’s physical security, factors and criteria and provides an analysis of physical security measures in Canada in an attempt to reassess its state of emergency preparedness.

Abstract

Due to terrorism being completely unpredictable by nature and in attempting to learn from the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, it has become necessary for Canada to reassess its state of emergency preparedness, emphasizing its first line defense, the physical and logical security. This article on security begins with a look at the factors and criteria that shape an organization’s physical security: location, industry, number of employees, proximity to high risk facilities, visibility, management style, international presence, public image/recognition, corporate or organizational associations or relationships, employment history, recent history with security breaches, general accessibility, reconstruction or contingency capabilities, use of and dependence on technology based products and services, and dependence on third party suppliers. In setting security priorities, the article proceeds with an analysis of 13 physical security measures from restricting access to a facility to organizations located in a multi-tenant building. Security is an organization’s first line of defense stating that it must be visible and act as a deterrent.