In a world where digital security has taken the spotlight and applies to most modern-day technology businesses, physical security is not to be overlooked, especially for organizations that still have an office or facility they control. A well-structured physical security policy (and the processes to follow them) will safeguard your offices from unauthorized access, theft and environmental threats. This blog post will delve into the components of a physical security policy and provide a physical security template that can be used to meet this requirement. Despite its focus on non-digital security, specific regulatory frameworks, such as ISO 27001, still require this policy.
1. Physical Access Controls
One of the primary components is laying out your physical access controls to prevent (or help minimize) physical attacks against your facility. This can include electronic access systems, such as keycards or biometric scanners, placed at all entry points to ensure only authorized personnel can access sensitive areas. Identifying access levels based on job responsibilities is essential, allowing employees to access only necessary areas. This may not be applicable for smaller organizations with a smaller office, but if you have separate rooms (e.g. a server room), ensure only authorized personnel have access to that (whether it’s via an electronic access system or a key-only the I.T. person has).
2. Securing Facilities
Continuing on physical access controls, it’s vital to secure facilities (e.g., server rooms) with surveillance systems (e.g., CCTV) and regular patrols if they are sensitive facilities, such as one conducting sensitive R&D activities for the federal government. The extent of securing your facilities depends on the types of data you harbor. Is it just basic PII? CCTV and access control systems suffice; anything more sensitive should be guarded closer with regular patrols and other security systems (e.g. motion sensors).
3. Protecting Against External and Environmental Threats
Strengthen perimeter security by installing fences, gates, and barriers to prevent unauthorized entry. Equip your facilities with fire suppression systems, drainage, and other controls to protect against environmental threats like fires, floods, and extreme weather. Regularly update emergency response plans to stay prepared for any external threats.
4. Secure Work Areas & Visitor Management
Limit access to secure work areas where sensitive information is handled, ensuring only authorized personnel can enter. Implement a strict visitor management system where all visitors are registered, given badges, and escorted by authorized employees. Keep detailed visitor logs, noting the purpose and duration of each visit.
5. Securing Delivery & Loading Areas
If applicable to your facility, it’s essential to restrict access to delivery and loading areas to authorized personnel only. Upon arrival, ensure that someone in your organization inspects deliveries for signs of tampering or unwanted contents. Designate someone in your organization to supervise all loading and unloading activities to verify that the physical security policy is followed.
6. Supplier, Vendor, and Third-Party Security
Regularly assess the security measures of third-party service providers to ensure they meet your physical security standards. Include specific security requirements in all contracts with suppliers and vendors. Limit third-party access to necessary areas and ensure they are always accompanied by authorized personnel.
Editing a Physical Security Policy Template using WatchDog Security’s Free Policy Manager
Using a free subscription to the WatchDog Security platform, you can leverage our policy manager to create and disseminate policies (such as a Physical Security Policy) to your team members and have a centralized hub to manage everything. To get started sign up here. Once you sign up, navigate to Policy Manager and click Create New Policy. Select the Create Using Template option to pre-populate it with various information to help speed up policy development. Edit the highlighted parts of the policy with your organization-accepted parameters and click Publish Policy. Now all the users added via Employee Management will receive the policy to accept in their dashboard.
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Additional Resources
- Physical Security (CISA.gov)
- ISC Best Practices for Planning and Managing Physical Security Resources (CISA.gov)
Physical Security (CISA.gov) ISC Best Practices for Planning and Managing Physical Security Resources (CISA.gov)
