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Little Rock School District historically faced challenges accessing advanced safety technology tools and software. Then, the district adopted wearable panic buttons. 

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Rachelle Blair-Frasier

Rachelle Blair-Frasier is Security magazine’s Editor in Chief. Blair-Frasier handles eMagazine features, as well as writes and publishes online news and web exclusives on topics including physical security, risk management, cybersecurity and emerging industry trends. She helps coordinate multimedia content and manages Security magazine's social media presence, in addition to working with security leaders to publish industry insights. Blair-Frasier brings more than 15 years of journalism and B2B writing and editorial experience to the role.

Jordyn Alger

Jordyn Alger is the managing editor for Security magazine. Alger writes for topics such as physical security and cyber security and publishes online news stories about leaders in the security industry. She is also responsible for multimedia content and social media posts. Alger graduated in 2021 with a BA in English – Specialization in Writing from the University of Michigan. Image courtesy of Alger

Taelor Sutherland

Taelor Sutherland is the Associate Editor at Security magazine. Sutherland covers news affecting enterprise security leaders, from industry events to physical & cybersecurity threats and mitigation tactics. She is also responsible for coordinating and publishing web exclusives, multimedia content, social media posts, and a number of eMagazine departments. Sutherland graduated in 2022 with a BA in English Literature from Agnes Scott College.

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• Mar 16, 2023

Physical security case study

A top global physical security firm wanted to regain confidence about preventing ransomware and identifying credential forgeries, especially as both types of attacks grew in popularity and lethality.

QOMPLX filled the gaps of the client's existing cybersecurity infrastructure to improve security health and resistance to attackers.

Download the case study to learn more

A top global physical security firm grew worried about ransomware and credential forgeries, especially as both types of attacks grew in popularity and lethality.

Despite employing a Gartner Magic Quadrant-leading endpoint detection response (EDR) solution, the firm had additional concerns about validation and visibility into its critical controls infrastructure.

After penetration tests and security assessments, the firm discovered a significant security gap around detecting attacks that bypass standard authentication controls such as EDR, security information, and event management solutions.

The firm needed to regain control confidence - quickly.

The QOMPLX:CYBER platform was deployed with considerations to ensure compliance with the regulations that come with the client’s global presence and sensitive clients.

First, QOMPLX used its Privilege Assurance software to assess the state of the firm’s AD security, map trusts, identify configuration weaknesses, identify stale accounts and identify permission concentration and accounts that were vulnerable to attack.

QOMPLX experts identified critical issues and provided long-term recommendations to support their hyper-growth strategy. Then, QOMPLX installed its Identity Assurance software to immediately identify attacks, including those already evading the client’s EDR software.

With QOMPLX, the client gained complete visibility into their critical control infrastructure for identity and all identity authentication-related activity.

The superior accuracy and time to validate all authentication transactions against forgery attempts delivers the tactical position required to protect against ransomware and credential forgery attacks.

With QOMPLX Identity Assurance enabled, the client’s previous security lapses were removed, and their security is now fortified. Also, identity and authentication attacks are now detected and managed confidently.

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Successful Implementation of Physical Security Measures: A Case Study

Implementing effective physical security measures is crucial for protecting assets, ensuring safety, and maintaining operational continuity. Here are some case studies that highlight successful strategies and their outcomes.

Case Study 1: Enhancing Physical Security at a Corporate Office

Background: A multinational corporation faced increasing threats of unauthorized access and data breaches. The company decided to overhaul its physical security measures to protect sensitive information and ensure employee safety.

Implementation:

Access Control Systems: The company installed advanced access control systems, including biometric scanners and smart cards, to restrict entry to authorized personnel only.

Surveillance Cameras: High-definition CCTV cameras were strategically placed throughout the premises to monitor activities and deter potential intruders.

Security Personnel Training: Security guards received comprehensive training in emergency response, conflict resolution, and the use of new security technologies.

Outcome: The enhanced security measures significantly reduced unauthorized access incidents and improved overall safety. Employee confidence in the security of their workplace increased, leading to higher productivity and morale.

Case Study 2: Securing a University Campus

Background: A large university sought to improve campus security following several incidents of theft and vandalism. The goal was to create a safer environment for students, faculty, and staff.

Emergency Communication Systems: The university installed emergency call boxes and a campus-wide alert system to quickly communicate with students and staff during emergencies.

Lighting Improvements: Enhanced lighting was added in parking lots, walkways, and other high-traffic areas to deter criminal activities and improve visibility.

Community Policing: The campus security team adopted a community policing approach, engaging with students and staff to build trust and encourage the reporting of suspicious activities.

Outcome: The university saw a marked decrease in theft and vandalism incidents. The improved communication systems and lighting made the campus feel safer, and the community policing approach fostered a stronger sense of security among students and staff.

Case Study 3: Protecting a Retail Store Chain

Background: A retail chain experienced frequent shoplifting and inventory shrinkage, impacting its bottom line. The company needed a robust security solution to protect its assets and ensure a safe shopping environment.

Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS): The retail chain implemented EAS systems at store entrances and exits to detect and prevent shoplifting.

Loss Prevention Officers: Trained loss prevention officers were deployed to monitor store activities and apprehend shoplifters.

Inventory Management Systems: Advanced inventory management systems were introduced to track stock levels and identify discrepancies quickly.

Outcome: The implementation of EAS systems and the presence of loss prevention officers led to a significant reduction in shoplifting incidents. The improved inventory management systems helped the company maintain accurate stock levels, reducing losses and improving profitability.

These case studies demonstrate the importance of tailored physical security measures in various settings. By leveraging advanced technologies, training personnel, and fostering community engagement, organizations can create safer environments and protect their assets effectively. The success of these implementations highlights the critical role of comprehensive security strategies in addressing unique challenges and achieving desired outcomes.

Contact our team at Secured Property Group for all your physical security needs! We go above and to ensure the safety of our clients and their properties. Request a quote a today!

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case study physical security

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Jorja Rogers

SCY1103. DR Michael Coole 20 th October, 2022

This case study aims to discover why the M de Young Museum Heist was carried out successfully, through the evasion of the physical security systems within the Museum that were designed to protect its assets from such criminal actions. This case study will highlight why the museum was vulnerable to this type of crime based on defence in depth as a security principle, and will also explain where and why security failed in accordance with a systems approach to physical security, referring to the different levels of security during the design phase (interference) that failed to protect its assets throughout the heist.

Documents List

Garcia, M. (2005). Vulnerability assessment of physical protection systems (pp. 34- 38). Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann.

Garcia, M. L. (2008). The design and evaluation of physical protection systems (2nd ed.). Elsevier/Butterworth-Heinemann.

Harris, R. (1999). Stolen Paintings Resurface. Cbsnews. Retrieved 17 October 2022, from cbsnews/news/stolen-paintings-resurface/.

IFAR Journal. Ifar. (1999). Retrieved 17 October 2022, from ifar/publication_detail.php?docid=1210707484.

Keraghosian, G. (2021). San Francisco's most infamous art heist: A $1 million Rembrandt that's since been discredited. SFGate. Retrieved 17 October 2022, from sfgate/sfhistory/article/san-francisco-art-heist-deyoung-rembrandt- 16411512.

Khairallah, M. (2006). Physical Security Systems Handbook: The Design and Implementation of Electronic Security Systems (pp. 53-55). Butterworth-Heinemann.

The theft would not be discovered until the next morning when the museum was opened again by owners. The criminals managed to avoid setting off any alarms that were armed during the time of the heist, along with two security guards that were patrolling the Museum throughout the night. (Keraghosian , 2021). Still to this day it is unknown who or how many people pulled off the De Young Museum heist, however three of the four paintings were anonymously returned in 1999 to the Doyle Gallery and had been identified as the originals by the fine arts curator of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Dr Lynn Federle. (Harris, 1999).

Diagnosis of Threat or Risk:

In the 20th century, museums around the globe were no strangers to the threat of robbery and attempted heists, with several reported cases of both successful and unsuccessful robberies at some of the worlds most famous Museums. The 1911 Mona Lisa Heist is a prominent example of an art heist, which demonstrated the importance of security surrounding such valuable objects 1. The thieves had hidden inside Paris’ Louvre Museum the day prior to the robbery. The thieves, dressed as Museum trades men, exited one of the Museum’s closets and made their way to the gallery where the painting hung on a wall. The thieves then proceeded to take the painting off the wall, only being seen by one man who was employed by the Museum as a plumber. The man unknowingly assisted the thieves by unlocking one of the Museum’s doors, allowing the thieves to make their escape with the painting in hand 2. Similarly, the 1969 Izmir Archaeology Museum in Istanbul saw a robbery of over five million dollar’s of art pieces 3. Three thieves broke into the Museum, destroying and stealing valuable art pieces and murdering the guard on duty with a stolen statue 4.

1 Great Art Thefts Of The 20th Century. Forbes. (2001). Retrieved 18 October 2022, from forbes/2001/02/28/0228connguide.html?sh=6c389a53c806. 2 Hoobler, D., & Hoobler, T. (2010). The crimes of Paris (pp. 4 - 7). University of Nebraska Press.

3 Clarke, C., & Szydlo, E. (2017). Stealing history (p. 37). Rowman & Littlefield.

4 Toler Jr, J. (1973). Another Side to Archaeology. Dspace.wlu. Retrieved 18 October 2022, from dspace.wlu/bitstream/handle/11021/32369/RG38_Toler_SOAN_1973.pdf?sequence=1.

Looking at the history of art heists prior to the M De Young Museum heist, like the ones above, it is clear that functioning and well-developed security systems should be implemented when trying to protect assets of this nature. These cases prior to the De Young Museum heist highlight the importance of security systems and should have encouraged the upgrade and constant monitoring of security systems within the Museum, particularly given how vulnerable the Museum was to such criminal actions due to the current construction work at the time of the heist.

Relevant Literature: Security Theories and Principles

Defense in depth (DID) is a physical security strategy that interconnects a series of components including technology, physical barriers, people and procedures in order to develop a secure system to protect assets 5. Defense in depth is comprised of four main components that allow the evaluation of a security system. These three components include deter, detect, delay and respond 6. The deter component refers to the physical barriers implemented in order to decrease the chance of criminal activity due to its perceived difficulty to be defeated. The detect component aims to determine when a criminal action has occurred and the delay component refers to the interreference of the criminal action in order to provide time for the response component from law enforcement 7. Physical security relates to the prevention of theft, vandalism and accidental damage to a building or asset 8. Physical protection systems within physical security work hand in hand with the defense in depth strategy in order to protect assets and property. Physical protection systems uses the detect, delay and respond components in order to design an effective physical protection

5 Smith, C. (2003). Understanding concepts in the defence in depth strategy. Ieeexplore.ieee. Retrieved 18 October 2022, from ieeexplore.ieee/abstract/document/1297528. 6 Garcia, M. (2008). Design and Evaluation of Physical Protection Systems (pp. 6-7).

7 Security, T., Van Eepoel, P., & Gallant, S. (2021). Structural Design for Physical Security (p. 7).

8 Vacca, J. (2014). Cyber Security and IT Infrastructure Protection (pp. 109-134).

Analysis of Opinion

As stated above, it is essential that all aspects of PPS work together in order to establish an effective physical security system 15. As a part of this, a good physical security system will include the DID principles of deterrence, detection, delay and response 16. The M De Young Museum heist demonstrated that when each of these security systems are not interconnected and all working together, the system as a whole is susceptible to serious security breaches and the chances of threat significantly increase. At the time of the heist, the museum had an insufficient amount of both physical and technological security, leaving the venue vulnerable to this type of criminal activity. (Keraghosian , 2021). A series of security failures had lead to the success of the heist at the De Young Museum including the construction at the museum at the time. The museum was perceived as an easy target for criminals due to the minimal barriers on the external areas surrounding the building. (Keraghosian , 2021). The alarms on both the roof and skylight had also been disarmed, preventing the detection of criminals coming in and out the museum. The museum also had not installed motion sensors in both galleries 12 and 13 where the heist had taken place, allowing the criminals to sneak in and out unnoticed. Finally, the last form of detection, delay and response were the two security guards on duty at the time. Both security guards were oblivious to the robbery that had taken place in the building until the next morning when the paintings were discovered missing. (Keraghosian , 2021). These series of DID failures allowed the thieves to get in and out of the museum undetected and with valuable pieces of art. In this situation the principles of DID were not properly functional and had not properly protected the building and its assets. PPS looks at the outer barriers of the museum and its outer landscape. Things like the outer landscape and barries are essential in the deterrence of a potential threat. Walls, fences and boundary lines pose a psychological threat to potential criminals as it is perceived as well protected and armed. (Garcia, 2008). The outer landscape of a building helps define the barrier between public and private space and assits in preventing criminal

15 see footnote 14 16 see footnote 5

activity 17. The De Young Museum did not have any visible physical barriers in the outer landscape of its building. The Museum lacked essential security features such as walls, fences or shrubbery that would have defined a clear space between public and private property, which could have acted as an allowance for criminal activity 18. This failure in the design phase, along with the failures in the Museums DID features encouraged the risk of potential threat to the building and its assets. Because of the Museums lack of DID and PPS principles it is evident that the threat of criminal activity was higher than average at the time of the heist. Khairallah (2006) had outlined the importance of a vulnerability study before the implementation of PPS and DID systems, which had seemed to be conducted. This is evident as typically the Museum was armed with several deterrence systems including security cameras. It had also seen the implementation of several detection features such as alarms and motion sensors in order to detect threat, along with a number of delay features including a series of boxes that only security guards had access to whilst checking the galleries, these boxes were accessed by a key in order to deactivate alarms while the galleries were being checked. The Museum also had adequate response systems including active patrols by security guards which would prevent the escape of potential criminals. However, the museum had not accounted for the lack of security present at the time of the heist. Most of these systems had been deactivated due to the constant construction at the Museum, along with the security boxes being discontinued in order to save money for the company. (Keraghosian , 2021). If these systems had been fully active at the time of the heist and an increase in security personnel, the risk of potential criminal activity would have significantly decreased, and the chances of intervention would have significantly increased.

In conclusion it is clear that the physical protection systems implemented in the museum were ineffective due to it’s lack of function at the time of the heist. The De Young Museum

17 see footnote 11 18 History of the de Young Museum. de Young Museum. (2022). Retrieved 19 October 2022, from deyoung.famsf/about/history-de-young-museum.

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Physical security case study: criminal and suspicious activity at a wastewater utility.

WaterISAC is excited to announce the inaugural product of a new resource series - Physical Security Case Studies.

Thanks to the generosity of utilities (like you) that are willing to share their experiences anonymously, we have started a collection of physical security case studies that can help all water and wastewater utilities learn from their peers and enhance the sector’s overall security and resilience.

These case studies are intended to provide concise descriptions of past physical security incidents or suspicious activities occurring at water and wastewater utilities. Each case study includes a brief overview, a description of incidents or suspicious activities, the impact to the utility, the utility’s response, and the lessons learned. Moreover, this information will help keep the sector and partners apprised of the ongoing threats that face water and wastewater utilities. Helping to inform best practices and the prioritization of preparedness measures that can prove critical to prevention, mitigation, and response efforts.

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• The Department of Homeland Security Words: 576
• Conceptualization of Homeland Security Words: 668
• Psychology in the Study of Physical Security Words: 900
• The United States’ Homeland Security Strategies Words: 1722
• Research Proposal on Homeland Security in the US Words: 2254
• Analysis Homeland Security Act of 2002 Words: 3645
• Border Control as a Homeland Security Issue in the US Words: 1391
• US Homeland Security: Strategies and Expenses Words: 552
• Security Studies in Historical and Contemporary Context Words: 634
• Homeland Security and Change Words: 555
• The Difference Between State Security and Human Security Words: 1141
• The Future of Private Security Words: 2245
• The Department of Homeland Security’s Creation Words: 1681
• Strategic Planning in the Homeland Security Organization Words: 1711

Homeland Security: Physical Security Incident Case Study

Introduction, u.s. capitol security breach incident, recommendations to correct the vulnerability.

A security breach at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, rekindled the federal government’s interest in strengthening the building’s physical protections. Due to the similarities between this occurrence and other security breaches, such as the attacks on September 11, 2001, the congressional investigation into the incident is ongoing. Physical security at the federal level encompasses a set of rules and processes designed to limit the likelihood that criminals or terrorists would compromise employees, facilities, and information. Different levels of security are assigned to government facilities in the United States. These security levels help dictate the activities and operations performed to keep the buildings safe. Some procedures that make up physical security include safeguards against criminals or terrorists, such as vehicle barriers, security checkpoints at entrances, patrolling the grounds, and monitoring the perimeters with closed-circuit cameras. Federal law enforcement agencies must provide security in federal sites; the military, intelligence, and national security depend on the security levels.

The paper will present a case study of physical security in homeland security. In particular, it will focus on the various physical security measures taken by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. The paper will assess the effectiveness of these measures in terms of their ability to prevent or deter future terrorist attacks. The 9/11 attacks were a watershed moment in the history of homeland security. In the wake of the attacks, the U.S. government took several steps to improve the physical security of the country. These steps included the creation of the DHS, the enactment of the USA PATRIOT Act, and the establishment of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The DHS is responsible for many homeland security functions, including border security, counterterrorism, and disaster response. The agency has several tools to secure the nation, including physical security measures.

January 6, 2021, incident in the United States Capitol demonstrated the necessity of developing and implementing emergency response procedures for federal facilities. Despite the presence of law police authorities, supporters of Donald Trump staged demonstrations. They marched into the United States Capitol before President Joe Biden’s inauguration into the office of the presidency. The disturbances initially began along Pennsylvania Avenue, but eventually the demonstrators marched to the United States Capitol. The participants in the incident had clubs, flagpoles, and riot shields at their disposal. The policemen’ laid-back demeanor as they watched the protesters struggle their way into the federal prison was captured on tape by several witnesses with cameras at the time of the incident. As a result of the event, numerous issues have been raised concerning the level of physical security present at federal facilities. The building was placed on high alert, and there were more than 2000 officers from several police departments there. As a result, the occurrence of the security breach raises concerns regarding the efficiency of the physical security measures.

The law enforcement personnel were unable to prevent the rioters from entering the building where they were gathering. Current and former law enforcement officials have stated that they were caught off guard by the size of the crowd and their intentions to march up to where lawmakers were gathering after being encouraged to do so by President Trump. National guards and federal law enforcement forces that had been intimidating during the George Floyd protests similarly kept a low profile on the streets during those events. The police had built up temporary barriers at the Capitol, and the officers were not wearing riot gear during the demonstration. As a result, they were merely prepared to end demonstrations and not prevent any attacks. It was also captured on camera that the officers were assisting some of the demonstrators during the incident, and very few arrests were made concerning the incident.

During the incident, the physical security measures intended to be enforced were ineffective. Earlier, Chief Sund, in charge of the Capitol Police Force, had stated that all of the security preparations had been carried out and confirmed that the security countermeasures had been implemented (Fitzgibbons & John 2021). Even after the elections for the United States, the National Guard and other security measures that were in place during the protests led by the Black Lives Matter movement should have been kept in place. Law enforcement agencies and members of the National Guard were present, but they did not take any direct measures to halt the demonstrators. As a result, the incident indicates a failure to implement physical security measures during emergency preparedness and response.

The most important recommendation to follow to get rid of the risk would be to ensure that all government institutions participating in the presidential election or inauguration have robust security. The extremists and people supporting Trump had been discussing their plans on various internet media platforms. Consequently, the law enforcement authorities and national guards ought to have implemented stringent security measures in the streets and within the Capitol Building.

Especially after an election that has caused a variety of supporters to react negatively, the police ought to be ready for the possibility of riots breaking out. The getting together of the legislators ought to have been treated as an event of significant importance and given a high level of security. The physical security infrastructure at all federal buildings is expected to be efficient and should be treated with the utmost respect, as required by the physical security requirements. If it falls into the wrong hands, the sensitive information stored at the federal buildings might compromise the country’s national security.

The last recommendation is to implement a physical security checkpoint at the entrance of the Capitol. This would ensure that only authorized people are allowed in and out of the building, thus preventing others from infiltrating the building and engaging in violence against members of congress. Another recommendation is to implement metal detectors at all entrances into the building. This will help prevent gun smuggling, which would help prevent future violence against members of congress and staff members.

On the 6th of January 2021, an incident occurred in the U.S. The scene depicted in Capitol is the breaking of a strongly secured facility building. The event highlights the inadequacies and sloppiness within the security infrastructures and systems the federal government has installed. It was determined that Trump supporters were responsible for the incident, and the police officers involved were held accountable because they did not halt the demonstrators. Two of the vulnerabilities present throughout the incident were the absence of high-security barriers and the fact that law enforcement agents were not adequately prepared to deal with demonstrators. The tension that arose due to Trump supporters expressing their discontent with the election results ought to have been regarded as a threat to the country’s security.

• Buresh, Donald L. “The January 6, 2021 Riot, the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Controlling the Content of Extremist Material on the Internet.” International Journal of Social Science And Human Research 5, no. 1 (2022): 167-178.
• Zulli, D., Coe, K. and Isaacs, Z., 2022. News Framing in the Aftermath of the January 6 Attacks on the US Capitol: An Analysis of Labels, Definitional Uncertainty, and Contextualization . American Behavioral Scientist , p.00027642221096333. Web.

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#5 CASE STUDY - PHYSICAL SECURITY

Physical security.

“we are internet providers and are here to fix the modem”

Sector: Co-working

Size: 1-49 employees

Location: Brussels

FACTS & FIGURES

1 out 1 were affected

Protection efforts: High

Business Impact: High

We have conducted a social engineering campaign in a co-working office.  Our intrusion specialist impersonated a technical staff member of a well-known internet provider to get inside of the company to collect information and possibly compromise the IT infrastructure.

INCIDENT OVERVIEW

Social engineering is a manipulation tactic used by cyber attackers to deceive individuals into divulging confidential information or performing actions that compromise security. It often involves exploiting psychological vulnerabilities rather than technical weaknesses, relying on human interaction and trust. In this case, we tried to intrude on the premises, we used techniques such as tailgating, impersonation, or exploiting trust to bypass physical security measures.

We impersonated a technical staff member of a well-known Internet provider. The intruder was wearing a branded shirt and asked to enter the technical room to fix bugs in the modem. After friendly asking and showing some fake documents, he was guided to the server room without any issues. He plugged in different malicious devices on the office’s network and even had time to walk around the entire office.

BUSINESS IMPACT

The business impact of the social engineering campaign conducted in the co-working office is very critical and can lead to full compromise of the local network. Entering offices unauthorized can have severe consequences:

Compromised security: Unauthorized access to sensitive areas poses a significant security risk, potentially leading to data breaches or theft of confidential information.

Operational disruption: Intrusions into offices and server rooms can disrupt normal operations, leading to downtime, loss of productivity, and delays in service delivery.

Reputational damage: Such incidents can erode trust and confidence in the organization's ability to protect sensitive data and maintain security, leading to damage to its reputation among customers, partners, and stakeholders.

Legal and regulatory consequences: The organization may face legal liabilities, fines, or penalties for failing to adequately protect sensitive information and comply with data protection regulations.

Financial loss: The costs associated with mitigating the incident, investigating the breach, implementing security measures, and potential legal fees can result in financial losses for the organization.

SECURITY MEASURES

Neglecting physical security alongside digital safeguards can expose vulnerabilities in cybersecurity. Physical security is essential for protecting sensitive information, infrastructure, and assets from unauthorized access or breaches. Failure to prioritize physical security can lead to significant data breaches or disruptions in business operations.

To protect against social engineering physical intrusion: 

Implement access control measures such as keycard entry systems or biometric scanners to restrict unauthorized access to sensitive areas.

Conduct regular security training for employees to raise awareness about social engineering tactics and the importance of verifying identities before granting access.

Establish clear protocols for verifying the identity of unfamiliar individuals requesting access to secure areas, such as requiring photo identification or contacting a supervisor for authorization.

Implement surveillance cameras and monitoring systems to detect and deter unauthorized individuals attempting physical intrusion.

Regularly review and update physical security protocols to address emerging threats and vulnerabilities.

Ready to strengthen your cybersecurity?

Contact us today to discuss how Cresco's services can help your organisation can protect and secure your organisation.

Rhonda, the regional sales manager of a mid-sized cable & conduit manufacturer and installer, was alarmed when she called her office and was told that three laptops worth about $6,000 had been stolen. Three members of her sales team had left their offices unlocked when they went to a meeting. When they returned, they discovered that three laptops were missing, apparently taken by a thief who simply walked into the offices, picked up the machines, and left, unnoticed by the other people in nearby offices.