Physical Security

Physical security describes the measures designed to protect computing resources, facilities, and information against deliberate (e.g., theft or vandalism) or accidental (i.e., natural disasters or loss) physical threats.

Safe Practices:

• Familiarize yourself with your workspace environment. Where are the entrances and exits? Is your computer located in an area that’s easily accessible to outsiders? Who has access to your workstation?
• Become familiar with the personnel in your work area, so that you can readily recognize the presence of a stranger or intruder.
• Address any unknown visitor in your area and find out if you can assist him/her.
• If you pass through a door that has to be opened with a key, swipe card, access code, or is otherwise locked to outsiders, make sure it closes completely.
• Lock your office door(s) when you leave for any significant time period (e.g., during lunch or for a meeting).
• Always “lock” or log off of your computer before leaving it unattended (even for a few minutes).
• Keep personal items, such as keys, purses, wallets, PDAs, thumb drives, & digital equipment in an appropriately secure place, and not readily accessible to others.
• Prevent physical access breaches, such as coat-tailing & piggy-backing, where badge-reading systems are employed to log access into and out of a secure facility.

How to politely thwart piggybacking:

• Explain in a polite and direct way that you’re not allowed to let anyone but yourself in through the door.
• Avoid the situation altogether. If you’re walking toward a secured door at the same time as someone else, slow down and allow him/her to enter first.