My Network Defense Essentials Journey: Module 4 - Physical Security
Welcome to the fourth part of my Network Defense Essentials (NDE) journey! In this module, we shift our focus to a crucial but sometimes underestimated aspect of cybersecurity—Physical Security.
Cybersecurity is not just about securing networks and systems; it also involves protecting physical assets, personnel, and facilities from threats like theft, vandalism, and natural disasters. With the rise in mobile devices and portable storage, physical security has become even more critical.
This article simplifies the concepts of physical security and workplace safety, helping you understand why these are key pillars of a comprehensive security strategy.
Key Insights from Module 4
My Takeaways
This module emphasized that physical security is not just a support function but a core part of cybersecurity. Addressing physical vulnerabilities is essential for safeguarding data and infrastructure.
1. Importance of the Physical Security
According to data collected by the US department of Health and Human services breach portal, physical security breaches are among the most frequently occurring security incidents in Organizations, which make it Equally important to other aspect of Cybersecurity.
Organizations are increasingly focusing on strengthening their IT security, which over shadows physical security. Physical security is the most overlooked aspect of security, Attackers are taking advantage of loopholes to compromise the physical security of organizations.
What is interesting about Physical Security is that, Physical security breaches are vastly Different from other Security breaches because they can be performed with little to no technical Knowledge.
Physical layers of our network are not protected by traditional firewalls. firewalls, IDS and IPS do not ensure physical security. A physical security breach can directly impact confidentiality, integrity and availability of information systems, Therefore physical security forms the basis of any information security system program in an organization. Physical security restricts unauthorized physical access to critical infrastructure. Physical Security restricts unauthorized physical access to Critical infrastructure.
2. Physical Security Attack Vectors
There are Two physical Attack Vectors
1. Natural/Environment Threats
. Floods
. Fires
. Earthquakes
. Lightning and thunder
. Temperature and Humidity
2. Man-made Threats
. Vandalism
. Device loss
. Damages of physical Devices
. Theft
. Terrorism
. Social engineering
. Unauthorized Access to systems
3. Types of Physical Security Controls
Physical security controls are categorized based on their functionalities and the plane of applications.
Functionality Based physical Controls are:
Preventive Controls: These Controls prevent security violations and enforce various control mechanisms, For example Door locks and Security guards.
Detective Controls: These controls detect security violations and intrusion attempts, For example Motion detectors, Alarm Systems, sensors and surveillance.
Deterrent Controls: These types of physical security measures discourage attackers through various warning messages and signs, For example Warning Signs
Recovery Controls: These controls are Used in serious situations to recover from attack or incident, For example Disaster recovery, business continuity plan and backup systems.
Compensating controls: These controls are Used as alternatives when primary controls fail or cannot be used. They do not prevent any attack attempts but restoration using techniques such as restoring from a backup. For example Hot sites and backup power systems.
Plane of application based physical Security Controls
. Physical security controls such as doors, secure facilities, fire extinguishers and flood protection.
. Administrative security controls such as organization security policies, procedures and guidelines to provide information security.
. Technical controls such as IDS/IPS, firewalls and authentication systems.
3.1 Location considerations
Organizations should consider various factors that may affect physical security before planning to buy or lease a building. The factors to consider may include the facility location, neighboring building, joint tenancy risks, power and water supply, sewage systems, proximity to public and private roads, transportation, emergency supports, hospitals, airports, local crime ratio, and prior security incidents in the surrounding area.
3.2 Site Architecture considerations
Identify what are the critical infrastructures.?
Have a separate location for the server and storage room.?
Identify what safety measures are required for these systems.?
Have An emergency exists.?
Make plans to manage environmental hazards.?
Define who will be responsible for managing these systems.
Established procedure explaining how they should be protected.
Use proper sanitation systems? such as manholes, sewers etc.
Keep parking away from the main building.
3.3 Fire Fighting Systems
Fire is an accident that can occur with or without warning and is usually attributed to man-made errors, short circuits, and defective or faulty equipment. Fire protection is an important aspect of physical security.
Fire fighting system is of two types
. Active Fire protection
. Fire detection systems such as smoke, flame and heat detectors?
. Fire suppression systems such as fire extinguishers, standpipe system, sprinkler system.
. Passive Fire protection
. Use of fire-resistant construction materials?
. Compartmentalization of the overall building
. Emergency exists?
. Minimizing inflammable sources
. Maintenance of fire fighting resources?
. Emergency procedures
. Educating the occupants/Employs
3.4 Physical Barriers
Physical barriers restrict unauthorized people from entering the facilities. Examples of physical barriers are?
. Fencing/Electrical fences/Metal rails
. Bollards?
. Turnstiles
3.5 Security personnel's
Efficient and well trained security personnel are critical to implement, monitor, and maintain the physical security of an organization.
People involved in physical security include guards, safety officer, plant’s security officer/supervisor.
3.6 Physical Locks
Various types of locking systems are available to improve the restriction of unauthorized physical access. The organization should select an appropriate locking system according to their security requirements.
Types of locks
Mechanical locks
Digital locks
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Combination locks
Electronic /Electric /Electromagnetic locks
3.7 Concealed Weapon/Contraband Detection Devices
Contraband includes materials that are banned from entering the environment such as explosives, bombs, weapons, etc.
Use different tools such as handheld metal detectors, walkthrough metal detectors, X-ray inspection systems, etc. to detect contraband materials
3.8 Mantrap
It is a security system having an entry and exit door on opposite sides, separating non-secure area from secure area
It allows only one door to be opened at a time, people enter the mantrap, request access and if granted they are permitted to exit. If access is not granted they are held inside until security personnel unlock the mantrap.
Passing these doors is allowed only through access control mechanisms such as access cards, password, voice recognition, biometrics, etc.
3.9 Video Surveillance
Video surveillance refers to monitoring activities in and around the premises using CCTV (Close Circuit Television) systems
CCTV systems can be programmed to capture motion and trigger alarms if an intrusion or movement is detected.
Surveillance systems should be installed at strategic locations in and around the premises such as parking lots, reception, lobby, work area, server rooms, and areas having output devices such as printers, scanners, fax machines, etc.
3.10 Lighting System
Adequate lighting should be provided inside, outside, and at the entrance of the building which helps in seeing long distances during security patrols, Adequate lighting will discourage intruders from entering the premises and concealing behind stones, bushes, trees, etc.
Types of lighting systems:??
Continuous??
Standby??
Movable??
Emergency
3.11 Power Supply
Use UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) systems to manage unexpected power disruptions or fluctuations in primary electric supply that may lead to equipment failure, business disruption or data loss.
4. Importance of Workplace Security
4.1 Reception Area
The reception area is the initial point of contact for an individual approaching the organization. The reception area can be vulnerable to physical security breaches as it provides easy access to strangers.
The reception area should be spacious and offer a proper scope to control building access, visitor traffic and assess visitor’s behavior.
Important files and documents or devices should not be kept on the reception desk.
The design and placement of reception desks should help in discouraging inappropriate access to the administrative area.
Computers at a reception desk should be positioned so the screens are not visible to visitors.
Computers at the reception desk must always be locked when the receptionist personnel is away from the desk.
4.2 Server/Backup Device Security
Keep critical network assets, such as servers and backup devices, in a separate room.
Protect the server room and backup devices with an appropriate access control.
Keep the server room and backup devices under video surveillance.
4.3 Critical Assets and Removable Devices
Keep your network devices and computer equipment in locked cabinets. Some cabinets comes with biometric locks and climate control features.
Restrict the use of removable devices such as DVDs, USB pen drives, SD cards, mobile phones, cameras, etc.
Design and implement acceptable-use policies to manage the use of removable device.
Implement a regular inventory review of removable devices.
Consider using corporate-controlled locked-down devices instead of implementing a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy.
4.4 Securing Network Cables
lay network wiring separate from all other wiring for easy maintenance, monitoring, and to prevent electronic interference.
Consider installing armored cable if there is a threat of rodents, termites, etc.
Use transparent conduits for cabling in high sensitive areas which allow easy identification of any damage or interference.
All network and communication cables should be hidden and protected appropriately.
Undergrounding cables will prevent physical access to the cables.
Do not lay cables above false ceiling to avoid fire risks.
Document the entire cable infrastructure.
5. Understanding Physical Security Policy
The physical security policy defines guidelines to ensure that adequate physical security measures are implemented. It is the security provided in terms of physical assets, which can be damaged physically. In IT organizations, where large amounts of physical assets are handled, the assets are prone to damage during installations or transfer from offshore to local locations. Care must be taken in terms of the frequency of monitoring and analyzing risks, and the training provided to the people handling or working with the physical assets must be monitored.
Design Considerations
Is the building protection deficiency reviewed regularly???
Is there a process to identify outsiders such as visitors, contractors, and vendors before granting them access to the premises?
Are adequate lighting systems installed???
Are each of the entry points properly blocked???
Are badges, locks, keys, and authentication controls audited regularly??
Is video surveillance footage monitored regularly???
Is the inventory of the organization’s assets maintained regularly?
6. Environmental Controls
6.1 Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning(HVAC)
Continuous power consumption/supply makes data centers, hardware, and equipment become hot very quickly? Improper equipment placement can increase the risk of fire
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems control the surrounding environment in a room or building especially humidity, temperature, and air flow
HVAC ensures the information system components are less prone to damage due to environmental changes
Consider various factors and components such as hardware, cabling, fire protection, and power supply, etc. before installing the HVAC equipment Maintain baseline temperature and humidity levels to keep equipment working reliably.
6.2 Electromagnetic interference (EMI) Shielding
EMI occurs when an electronic device’s performance is interrupted or degraded due to electromagnetic radiation or conduction.
High levels of disturbance can cause severe damage such as shaky monitors, system failures, unexplained shutdowns, etc.
EMI shielding is a coating on electronic equipment kept in metal boxes which block emissions and radiation
6.3 Hot and Cold Aisles
A hot and cold aisle is an arrangement of server racks and networking equipment to manage cold and hot air flow. This arrangement isolates the cold and hot aisles from each other, by placing them in opposite directions.
Cold aisles typically face air conditioner output ducts and hot aisles should face air conditioner input ducts. It saves the hardware from humidity and heat, increases hardware performance and maintains consistent room temperature.
6.4 Physical Security Checklists
Ensure that proper access control methods are implemented to prevent unauthorized access.
Ensure an alarm system is installed for all types of threats such as fire, smoke, electricity, water, etc. and is working properly.
Ensure an adequate number of security guards is hired to monitor the physical security of the campus.
Ensure that sensitive areas are monitored with proper lighting and CCTV.
Ensure an appropriate door lock system is implemented and is working properly.
Ensure the security personnel is given proper training.
Practical Ways to Implement Module 4 Concepts
What’s Next? As I continue with Module 5, I’ll share more practical insights and implementations. If you’d like detailed notes or step-by-step exercises, Feel free to DM me, I shall be more then happy to help you, Lets Grow Together.
Let’s discuss: What physical security measures does your organization have in place? How do you handle environmental risks? Share your experiences in the comments!
IT Manager na Global Blue Portugal | Especialista em Tecnologia Digital e CRM
3 个月Physical security is indeed vital. It's often underestimated, even though a single breach can have devastating consequences. What specific insights caught your attention?