A job in the sector of physical security is always a duty of many responsibilities. The employee is responsible for the security of the objects and any neglect on part of the employee can cause serious damage to the organization or companies. If there are any faults or loop holes in the design of the security system or on behalf of the guards the company or organization may have to suffer a huge loss due to any intrusion or crime.
A well designed physical security system needs to be completely planned, programmed and coordinated in four major steps. Environmental design of the facility is important to deter crime and some of the most commonly used techniques are the barbed wire, metal barriers, site lighting, and trenches. The mechanical and electronic access control process of physical security includes the designing of locks and keys and gates. Electronic access includes the electronic key methods of card punching, etc.
Intrusion Detection is mainly an alarm system designed to alert the entry of any unwanted foreigners in the facility. Video monitoring is the key process of a security system which can be monitored manually or by video analysis. The last and final aspect of physical security is the appointment of manual guard, who has an intertwined role in each process – for guarding and patrolling, for administration of access control, for response to alarms and for monitoring the videos. Hence, experienced personnel are required for the designing, constructing and maintenance of the security system as well as security guards.
Academic qualification and skills required in the physical security sector is very nominal. One should have any basic degree with a fitness certificate. People, especially ex-army men are preferred. But for the designing and maintenance of the electronic equipments and the environment of the facility to deter the entry of criminals, or loss by natural calamities, there is need of engineers or diploma holders with specific degrees in electrical, electronic, software or architecture.
Appointments are generally done by various security agencies for the post of guards and maintenance workers for the security system. Payments are also given according to the object or facility being guarded, client or else they are salary based in various cases. Appointments are given for security in various sectors like industries, offices, banks, museums and various private properties. A physical security provider is paid with a handsome payment as they have a huge responsibility in their hand.
A job in physical security is to handle a lot of responsibility with alertness. Hence, it does require a lot of hard work and attention, but at the same time it has a good pay scale associated with it. Thus a career in physical security is an intelligent move by an individual.