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Physical Security: The Complete Documentation

• This category contains 4 Papers
• The last paper was added on 2007-03-26 (YYYY-MM-DD)

Building the Ideal Web Hosting Facility: A Physical Security Perspective

Published on 2003-02-13, by Seth Friedman, ©SANS Institute.

Defense in Depth is a wonderful ideal, but it’s also a costly one, particularly when dealing with Physical Security. While it is easy to maintain high standards when using a hypothetical model, Physical Security implementations in the real world generally fall well short of this ideal. Compromises are made regarding the site, the building, and the desired security measures. Lesser devices are substituted for the desired ones, all in the name of keeping to the budget. At the worst extreme, you may find that you’re not even able to fully control access to your facility. Natural or man-made disasters can always be counted on to bring Physical Security to the forefront of everyone’s minds, and it is to be hoped that many companies will then begin the process of reviewing, creating and implementing better Physical Security standards. Past history, however, has shown that once the initial event recedes further into the past, companies go back to their old ways and forget these hard-learned lessons. Perhaps now, with the recent effects and threats of global terrorism all too obvious, this will change and comprehensive physical security implementations will become as commonplace as firewalls.

Implementing Robust Physical Security

Published on 2004-07-13, by Bob Pagoria, ©SANS Institute.

As the world of computer technology continues to grow, becomes increasingly competitive and vulnerable to malicious attacks, every business must more seriously consider IT (Information Technology) security as a high priority. IT security has become increasingly important over the past fifteen years due to the implementation of LANS (Local Area Networks), WANS (Wide Area Networks) and the Internet, all which provide a means of exploitation from unauthorized users. The information presented provides insight and direction on one of the most important rings of IT security, physical security. It will also provide information regarding the rings physical security itself contains and requires, ensuring the most complete, effective and robust physical security policies are implemented; all to help thwart the possibility of attack and loss of company resources.

Physical Security: A Biometric Approach

Published on 2003-11-12, by Ryan Hay, ©SANS Institute.

In the competitive business world today, the negative publicity and financial ramifications from an IT physical security breakage can be disastrous. An IT physical security breakage could and most likely lead to the selling of shares from stockholders, financial revenue and profit loss, numerous corporate lawsuits, disgruntled employees, corporate and brand embarrassment, and exhaustive time and effort spent on problem research and prevention.

When coupled with constant September 11 terrorism concerns and the importance of corporate data privacy, the need and demand for a biometric physical security solution has never been higher. This paper will address biometrics and its history, discuss and analyze various biometric techniques and products, provide advantages and disadvantages of these techniques, and conclude with a discussion on biometrics of the future.

Using Passive Environmental Cues to Enhance Physical Security

Published on 2007-05-06, by David R. Pollack, ©SANS Institute.

Strong passwords, intrusion detection systems, properly configured firewalls and routers, up to date anti virus software, properly patched operating systems, solid backup schemes and qualified security personnel are some of the most important aspects of information security. All of these things help safeguard data from the potentially devastating effects of a determined hacker because they make unauthorized access to your network harder to attain.