Structural security is the assessment and management of risk to the people who occupy your facilities every day. It involves a multidisciplinary approach to protect against potential terrorist attacks or other malevolent acts through integrated defensive measures.
Understanding Structural Security
Based on the provided information, structural security encompasses a critical set of practices focused on safeguarding occupants within built environments. It's not merely about the physical structure itself, but about how that structure and its surrounding systems are designed and managed to mitigate threats.
Reference Definition:
According to the reference:
"Structural security is the assessment and management of risk to the people who occupy your facilities every day. Our multidisciplinary teams provide the planning, engineering, construction and evaluation of integrated defensive measures designed to protect against potential terrorist attacks or other malevolent acts."
This definition highlights key components:
- Focus: Protecting people within facilities.
- Core Activities: Assessing risk and managing risk.
- Methodology: Multidisciplinary teams involved in planning, engineering, construction, and evaluation.
- Tool: Integrated defensive measures.
- Purpose: Protection against potential terrorist attacks or other malevolent acts.
Key Components of Structural Security
Structural security is a comprehensive process involving several integrated steps:
- Risk Assessment: Identifying potential threats (like terrorist attacks or other malevolent acts) and vulnerabilities within a facility that could impact occupants.
- Risk Management: Developing strategies and implementing measures to reduce or mitigate the identified risks.
- Planning: Defining the security objectives and outlining the approach to achieve them.
- Engineering & Construction: Designing and building physical and technical security elements into the facility structure and systems.
- Evaluation: Regularly reviewing the effectiveness of implemented security measures and making necessary adjustments.
This process relies on multidisciplinary teams – potentially including security experts, engineers, architects, and facility managers – to ensure a holistic approach.
Integrated Defensive Measures
The goal is to implement integrated defensive measures. These are not isolated security features but work together to create layers of protection. Examples can include:
- Physical Barriers: Designing structures to resist blast forces, using security glazing, or implementing secure perimeters.
- Security Technologies: Incorporating surveillance systems, access controls, and intrusion detection.
- Operational Procedures: Developing security protocols, evacuation plans, and staff training.
- Building Design: Using site planning to manage standoff distance or orienting buildings to minimize exposure to threats.
These measures are specifically designed to protect against potential terrorist attacks or other malevolent acts, ensuring the safety and security of the people who use the facilities daily.
Table: Structural Security Process
| Stage | Description | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment | Identify threats & vulnerabilities affecting occupants | Understand potential risks |
| Management | Plan and implement strategies to mitigate risks | Reduce the likelihood and impact of incidents |
| Planning | Define security goals and scope | Set the direction for security implementation |
| Engineering/Con | Design and build protective elements into the facility | Create physical and technical defenses |
| Evaluation | Review effectiveness of measures | Ensure ongoing protection and improvement |
Structural security, therefore, is a vital aspect of modern facility management, focusing intensely on the human element by safeguarding occupants from targeted threats through thoughtful design, engineering, and continuous vigilance.
