If your home were violated, would you choose to no longer lock the doors? Would your judgment be sound if you decided to lock only the front door, leaving your back door wide open? Of course you would do your best to protect your family by securing access and mitigating a future attack.

Perimeter security is of vital importance to our security, and can be broken down into two sections.

(1) Barrier Security Systems (Fences, Sea Barricades); and
(2) Intrusion Detection Security Systems.

Integrating the two systems effectively, with the correct protocol will allow us to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access to vital areas. This is another step in a well-designed layered overall security system. The integration of Sensors, CCTV, Alarms, and Trained Responders with a barrier system will require expert planning and implementation to be cost effective and viable. It is a common mistake to forget the desired end result during the planning phase.

Prior to implementing a perimeter security system, which should be a part of a layered system there are some factors to consider. The new “KISS” (keep it Simple and Secure) method of thinking should be followed, along with using a bottom up approach to define the goals and parameters of the system. Something that many administrators neglect to include in the planning phase is flow control. Here are some pointers to consider:

A site survey should be conducted and security profile developed to include, but not limited to the:

(a) Type of threat that needs to be protected against, vandalism, theft, terrorist and what type of individual would be most likely to pose that threat. Will they be experienced, professional or financed by a foreign government?

(b) Current security measures in effect and how the addition of a perimeter system will affect those measures. Can we integrate software, or change the package.

(c) Where will the system be monitored and the type of forces that is expected to respond to any alarm. Will it be local police, contract guard or internal guard force and what is the expected response time to an alarm?

(d) Employee access to the secured fence line.

(e) Will closed circuit television (CCTV) be used to assess alarms and where will it be monitored? If CCTV is used will the existing lighting along the fence line be sufficient. Will other electronic detection devices be used alone, or in conjunction with each other, such as in-ground sensors, infra-red, and radar based units.

(f) What environmental conditions are unique to the site that could affect the overall performance of the system? Some examples could be high winds, excessive blowing debris, sea spray or salt air, and last but not least the amount and type of foot traffic on the other side of the fence.

(g) Type and amount of wildlife present either inside or outside of the site that can have an effect on a system. A deer scraping his antlers on a fence line sounds the same as a man trying to climb that fence. A large dog will look like a man crawling to a microwave or buried line sensor.

Some available sensors that can be integrated with “DUMB BARRIER” (fences, etc.) systems are:

(1) Microwave sensors, volumetric sensors that are installed inside of the fence line

(2) Buried line sensors, cable sensors that are buried in the ground inside of the fence line.

(3) Taut Wire, This type of sensor system can actually be used to replace a fence line

(4) Fence mounted sensors, which are installed directly on the fence.

(5) Beam Sensors; provide an invisible beam of light from a transmitter to a receiver. One such type of sensor is the Perimeter Sentry, and is used for intrusion detection over large areas. The system declares an alert and sends a signal to a monitoring station upon interruption of a covert electro-optical beam. The beam reaches over large line of sight distances (up to 900 yards). Distances of several miles can be monitored with the use of a larger and more powerful beacon. It can be deployed over land or water and can tolerate adverse weather conditions. It operates “hands-off” and can be remotely controlled. Units can be stacked for multiple beam protection. Alarm conditions can be modified to accommodate various installation requirements. Units can be set up to detect tampering. Systems like this can mitigate the need for additional manpower, keeping costs down.

It is our responsibility to protect our infrastructures, personnel, and the lives of others.

Some of our airports are meeting this call, such as Boston’s Logan Airport. Led by Tom Kinton, Massport Director of Aviation, Tom and his staff have gone beyond regulatory guidance to meet the current challenges in aviation security; one of few airports in the country to show this kind of leadership. Thankfully, other airports around the country are following this type of role model. With a fully integrated and layered security system, we drastically increase survivability, and deny access to those willing to penetrate our defenses and cause harm. Proper implementation, meshing, and utilization will be cost effective and unobtrusive to the law abiding public.