Article author: Miky Weinberg – Owner of the Tarantula Technologies Ltd and Octagon Security Ltd Companies.
Having seen and visited dozens of secure facilities at varying levels, I can unequivocally determine that most of them do not have a deterrent towards the adversary and in those that already exist then it seems completely coincidental and does not really achieve its goal.
Anyone who knows and has heard me already knows my opinion that says that a security system that finds itself facing the adversary and is forced to act with force or with weapons, is a security system at a point of severe failure that is now required to minimize damage. The security system failed because it failed to prevent the adversary from reaching the area of the facility and start acting to implement his plan and plot.
Why would a security system fail in the prevention phase?
There can be several reasons for this, the main one of which deals with the external and internal deterrent rings in the facility. A facility without a deterrent security ring invites the potential adversary to it because the latter is not challenged, not afraid, and feels that the target is easy to penetrate and attack.
The adversary does not feel fear beyond the basic fear and therefore does not show suspicious signs in his behavior.
Any security plan for a facility designed and written without thinking and analyzing from the attacker’s perspective will probably be without a deterrent ring at all or with an imperceptible and ineffective deterrent ring. To truly understand the importance of the deterrent ring in a facility, one must first know that an adversary is a person whose main difference between him and most human beings is that he has decided to perform an action that is defined as negative and illegal and contrary to social behavioral norms.
This fact is the biggest advantage of any security system and it is the one that provides an opportunity to make the adversary decide not to act at all or to succeed and identify him before committing the act of assault, whether it is a criminal or terroristic.
A professional deterrent will succeed in keeping the novice adversary away from the facility, the one who has not yet gained enough experience and courage to perform a negative action. A professional deterrent circle will also manage to keep away from the facility a certain portion of the professional and skilled adversaries, the same adversary who is better able to overcome with a sense of fear and therefore these adversaries will display suspicious indicators that are more difficult to identify.
The main working assumption in creating a circle of deterrence says that no person in a state of fear and tension will not display suspicious indicators in their behaviors. Hence anything that includes a deterrent ring should cause the potential adversary to feel fear and tension which will translate into displaying suspicious behavioral indicators. Once that happens, some of the adversaries will just go and look for another place and those who still decide to stay will display suspicious behavioral indicators even if they try to avoid doing so.
The deterrent circle includes several elements that are all aimed directly at the adversary:
Advertising on a website – an installation of an organization that operates a website, should advertise the existence of a 24/7 security system and even state that it includes security guards and advanced technological means. In addition, it is advisable to give some examples of apprehending adversaries in the facility and punishing them severely. All of this in order to convey to the adversary a clear and sharp message that he will think well before deciding to come and attack the facility.
Perimeter Lighting – Placing permanent external perimeter lighting for the facility and lighting that is turned on by motion detection. Proper and good lighting will make the adversary feel uncomfortable and think he may be seen.
Warning signs – Placing warning signs that indicate that the facility is secure 24/7 can be mistaken as nonsensical, but in reality, they manage to increase the adversary’s sense of fear and tension.
Funneling of vehicles and pedestrians – Funnelling vehicles and pedestrians on a pre-planned route that will bring them to the parking lot and/or the main entrance to the facility only will make it difficult for the adversary to walk around the facility trying to find uncontrolled openings. Such funneling will create in the adversary a feeling that the security system is in good hands and again will cause him an increase in the feeling of fear and tension.
Cameras – Placing real cameras and dummy cameras outside the facility will make the adversary think that it is possible for the cameras to take pictures and see him at any given moment.
Security vehicle – placing a dedicated security vehicle or other vehicles to which the symbols of a security vehicle are added in a prominent place that is visible.
Physical security force – placing security guards and inspectors in the external sector and at the entrance to the facility, with an emphasis on the entry route for vehicles and people. Emphasis on the visibility of the security guards and inspectors.
Active security system – conducting unconventional outdoor patrols and questioning people in the vicinity of the facility.
The deterrent ring also excels in the positive balance between the relatively low cost of its creation and the added value it produces to the overall security system in its confrontation with the adversary.
Any security manager that works to implement my recommendations will significantly improve the response against the adversary, and who does not want to reach such a situation?
I can point out here that a number of facilities that have accepted my recommendations on the subject and fully implemented them have had an improvement in their sense of security and the effectiveness of their security system.