ESS Security Surveys: A Foundational Step

Security site surveys are often prompted by a variety of factors including construction of new facilities, initiation of a new program, or to respond to an increased threat. Very simply, regardless of the primary instigating factor, the main purpose of a site survey is to ensure that the security program currently in place provides an adequate level of protection to the specific assets. In the case of a focused electronic security system (ESS) site survey, the primary functions would involve the electronic entry control system (EECS), the intrusion detection system (IDS) and the closed-circuit television (CCTV) system, specifically focusing on how they are applied to the facility or installation under review and how effective the application of these systems are in reducing the vulnerability of the complex.

Many times our clients ask us the following questions:

Where is my security program now?
Where should my security program be in five years?
What steps do I need to take to get there?
How much will it cost me?

These questions get to the essence of a security site survey. Define where the security program is now, where it needs to be, and help the client determine a strategic path to get there.

The mechanics of a security site survey are fairly straightforward. The details can get a little difficult, depending on the type of facility and mission, but essentially the following needs to be considered:

Description of the Facility and/or Campus: A clear and concise understanding of the purpose of each facility and the integrated campus. After all, the appropriate security posture of the facility, in a large degree, is determined by its function.
Existing System: One of the major contributions a site survey makes to an existing program is documentation of an existing system. A comprehensive site survey should note the location of every major security component. This data is then used to evaluate the adequacy as well as the efficiency of the existing security system application.
Communications Infrastructure: I suspect that days of installing a dedicated communications infrastructure for a new security system are waning. While there will always be those special situations where a dedicated communications loop is justified, more and more our clients are utilizing existing network-type communications systems for security purposes. A comprehensive site survey should document the configuration, availability, and capacity of any existing communications network.
Regulatory Requirements: In some instances, a site survey will be conducted in order to compare the existing security program against regulatory requirements. This is particularly true of federal agencies, although some private organizations fall into this category as well due to insurance regulations. The survey team must have a thorough understanding of these requirements prior to initiation of the survey.
Availability of Power: As the general perception of threat increases, security systems are being extended to facilities once considered too remote to be of concern. However, we are currently faced with a number of remote facilities with no available power that are very much integral to the security and continued functioning of an organization.
Site Preparation Issues: The site survey should also be constantly looking for facility insight issues that will impede or preclude application of an electronic security system. An example would be poorly fitting or deteriorated doors that will demonstrate enough movement, even in the closed and locked position, to result in nuisance alarms from door monitoring contacts such as balanced magnetic switches. Also, at a high-risk facility calling for perimeter intrusion detection system, site terrain, fence condition, boundary-penetrating waterways and culverts become critical implementation issues.

One key aspect of the site survey that must be thoroughly discussed and explored with the site point of contact is the threat and vulnerabilities associated with the site. These two issues generally determine operational requirements and capabilities, which the site security system must fulfill. Some federal sites will have a current risk assessment that can be used to gauge the general threat to the site; however, additional considerations must be taken into account including current national and international events and the criticality of the site mission.

The end product of an ESS site survey normally includes the following information:

System Evaluation: The site survey report should in all cases include a written documentation of the condition of the existing ESS including all sub-systems. This condition assessment should include an evaluation of the physical condition and operability of the system as well as a discussion of the efficacy of the system utilization.
Upgrade Recommendations: As deficiencies are identified in either the condition or utilization of the existing ESS, upgrade recommendation must be made to rectify system shortcomings. This could range from a recommendation to completely replace an obsolete system that is no longer supported by the manufacturer to minor activities such as preventive maintenance and software upgrades.
Concept Level Drawings: A common finding of an ESS survey is that not all the critical areas or assets are provided appropriate protection by the system. In this case, the system must be expanded to include new assets or facilities or areas that were simply missed in the initial ESS implementation. Concept level drawings showing basic floor plans and the recommended location of recommended security components are often used to efficiently and definitively illustrate the upgrade recommendations presented in the text of the report.
Budgetary Cost Estimate: In many cases, each upgrade recommendation is accompanied with a budgetary cost estimate. This estimate must include not only the cost of the actual security equipment but the labor to install the equipment as well. A third item that must be included in the budgetary cost estimate is any site preparation work that must be performed in order to prepare the facility for effective implementation of ESS components. Typically this includes minor repair activities such as replacing broken or hollow-core doors when the criticality of the asset justifies the delay provided by either a metal or solid-core wooden door. At other times, site preparation could be more extensive, such as installation of an exterior lighting system to support a CCTV system.

The site survey provides a starting point for upgrading the security posture of a site. Because of this foundational role, the survey must be done carefully and thoroughly in order to properly scope and fund future activities. Obviously, it is during this crucial stage that the earliest formulation of functional requirements occurs that will provide the boundary conditions for any follow-on upgrades.

Randy Nason, PE, VP

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