Facility Design – Atriade

Best Practices to Ensure a Secure Method of Facility Monitoring

admin_atriade — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 07:16:17 +0000

Best Practices to Ensure a Secure Method of Facility Monitoring

Following certified best practices is an optimal way to ensure a secure method of monitoring your alarms and incidents.

And the best guidelines to follow as your building plans are created are those developed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) in collaboration with U.S. federal security agencies.

The technical requirements of the Standard for National Industrial Security Systems, UL 2050 describe the elements of alarm protection (intrusion detection) needed to coordinate with related security measures that come into force when government contractors hold sensitive material.

They are based on the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) which “establishes requirements for the protection of classified information disclosed to or developed by contractors, licensees, grantees, or certificate holders to prevent unauthorized disclosure.”

National industrial security systems, such as a closed room or a sensitive compartmented information facility (SCIF) must be monitored for opening, closing, alarm and trouble signals.

While UL 2050 certification is only mandatory for government contractors, any organization in the process of building an alarm monitoring station would be well-served by considering its requirements as a useful guide for best practices, i.e., knowing where to set the bar.

Standards to Follow

UL 2050 standards encompass more than merely construction elements, but also apply to special access programs and details relating to staffing and securing monitoring stations. They include:

Implementing a secure generator backup – and a plan for resupply
Having floor-to-ceiling walls
Being built on a solid concrete slab
Positioning of windows and their operational security
Ensuring no one is able to see computer screens other than the operators
Having a specific number of employees per alarms
Protecting communication lines from tampering

A secure facility is only one part of a secure system.

Governance must be built around the standards, with the aim of eliminating any security flaws and providing continuous feedback for and mitigation of any failure points.

Ensuring that team members are present to participate in these types of trainings are critical to emergency response.

What About UL 827?

UL 827 certification is required for all central stations, which are defined as commercial entities that monitor fire, commercial security and residential security alarm signals.

Any facility that is UL 2050 certified must build its monitoring station to meet the UL 827 standards.

Both sets of standards include specific calculations and small detailed requirements that can be too complicated for a layperson to understand. And not every security integrator has the know-how to serve as a resource; be sure to ask that question upfront if you are seeking certification in order to obtain government contracts.

The Takeaway

As you might expect, the government has high standards when it comes to security. It needs to ensure that any company it contracts with is secure from being breached.

While solid protection against actual break-ins is certainly required, physical security is becoming increasingly dependent on data security.

Building facilities to UL 2050 and/or UL 827 standards — or retrofitting, which may be possible but complicated — is a requirement for any organization that wants to do business with the government.

And even if companies don’t aspire to that, they can use those requirements as a benchmark for their own facilities, to ensure they are as secure as possible.

The expert team at Atriade has the knowledge to support organizations that seek to achieve UL 2050 and UL 827 certification and apply those standards to any security system. Contact us if you would like to discuss your situation.

About Atriade

Atriade is a security consulting firm. We provide security system design services for access control, perimeter protection, video and visitor management, and other physical security technologies. We also provide security master planning, program development, risk assessments, professional services, and project management.

Our client portfolio includes Fortune 50 companies, Ivy League universities, and leading technology firms in Silicon Valley.

Visit us online at Atriade.com

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter: Take A Risk

7 Ways Security & Architectural Design Can Be Seamless

admin_atriade — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 08:05:00 +0000

7 Ways Security & Architectural Design Can Be Seamless

Security consultants are advisors and supervisors who work with security protocols, plans, systems, and strategies. They also work closely with architects in many aspects of building design.

But can that relationship be completely symbiotic?

The most effective way to ensure building design and security seamlessly exist is for architects and security consultants to work closely together on behalf of the client.

Taking a team approach and working in concert early in the design process, will help lead to fewer change orders and ensure projects finish in a timely fashion.

The ultimate goal is for both parties to take pride in having produced an aesthetically pleasing space that incorporates the latest in safety technology.

Here are some suggested steps:

1. Determine the operational intent

Being able to respond early during the design phase and anticipate the needs of architects is crucial to any security design process. Perhaps begin by determining the operational intent of the security door hardware and field devices. This includes ensuring they meet the needs of the end–user as well as life safety/egress code.

2. Know who is installing components

Discover who is providing and installing the various components—locks, wiring, conduit, stub-ups, junction boxes, rough-ins, card readers, and head-end panels. Know who is terminating each one.

3. Incorporate ADA-accessible heights

Discuss the installation heights for the security devices—distance above the finished floor to the middle, top, or bottom of the device. Ensure devices are installed at ADA-accessible heights.

4. Request product data sheets

Ask what finish/color options are available for door hardware and security field devices like card readers, cameras, exit sensors, and buttons. Request product data sheets to review aesthetics.

5. Use architectural door numbers

Request that the security consultant and related trades use architectural door numbers for device numbering/naming. This supports ease of coordination and tracking.

6. Coordinate field device locations

Inquire as to whether field device locations have been coordinated with other trades—plumbing, fire, signage, lighting, and sprinklers to limit design errors.

7. Ensure requirements are coordinated

Help ensure field device requirements such as power, network, rough-in, etc. have been coordinated with other trades. This can help minimize costly slowdowns or shutdowns during construction.

The Bottom Line

Projects will exceed expectations when the architects and security consultants communicate early in the process. By incorporating security into aesthetics, the result is the best of both worlds.

Click here to download these 7 steps in a single-page flyer

- Product’s Usage
- Basis of Design
- Product’s Quality
- Product’s Cost
- Compliance with the customer’s functional requirements
- Documented approach on meeting customer requirements
- Vendor’s Competency Level
- Vendor’s Financial Position
- Relevant Client References
- Project Closeout

Best of both worlds

The 5 Benefits of Incorporating Security Early in the Design Process

Incorporating Security Into Controlled Substance/Biotech Facility Design

Best Practices around Security through Environmental Design

Designing and Building an Effective SOC That Meets Your Unique Needs

- Product’s Usage
- Basis of Design
- Product’s Quality
- Product’s Cost
- Compliance with the customer’s functional requirements
- Documented approach on meeting customer requirements
- Vendor’s Competency Level
- Vendor’s Financial Position
- Relevant Client References
- Project Closeout

About Atriade

Atriade is a security consulting firm. We provide security system design services for access control, perimeter protection, video and visitor management, and other physical security technologies. Our client portfolio includes Fortune 50 companies, Ivy League universities, and leading technology firms in Silicon Valley.

We also provide security master planning, program development, risk assessments, professional services, and project management.

Visit us online at Atriade.com

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter: Take A Risk

The 5 Benefits of Incorporating Security Early in the Design Process

admin_atriade — Fri, 10 Jun 2022 10:19:09 +0000

The 5 Benefits of Incorporating Security Early in the Design Process

Given everything architects need to consider as they create designs for new construction, renovations, or restocks, it is important to incorporate security elements into the design early on.

Working collaboratively to ensure security is integrated cohesively provides several benefits: maintaining aesthetic goals, secure spaces, fewer mistakes, as well as on-time project finishes.

Here are five recommendations to enhance the design of security elements in the overall space plan.

1. Focus on the safety experience

Incorporate security and safety into the occupant’s user experience, which from a security standpoint goes beyond door hardware and security field devices like card readers, cameras, and exit sensors or buttons.

2. Engage with each other as partners

It is equally important for architects to understand the operational risk mitigation of security consultants’ recommendations and for security consultants to understand the intent of architects’ design ideas. A collaborative process can result in an outcome that satisfies all parties.

3. Ensure security is an integrated part of the design

Security should be brought into the design process at the very start, so their input is reflected. Making security an integrated part of the design ensures an end result that is in keeping with the architectural and safety objectives.

4. Design with the entirety of the risk portfolio in mind

Consider security beyond field devices. Designing to reduce operational risk will provide greater safety for those who experience the space.

5. Understand the need to have a broad definition of security

Similar to what is noted above, establish security’s role in mitigating amplified risks such as active or insider threats, general awareness, and perimeter protection.

The Takeaway

Start thinking of security as an essential risk mitigation component of the space by focusing on how to plan space design with security engaged as part of the risk calculation.

Click here to download these 5 steps in a single-page flyer.

- Product’s Usage
- Basis of Design
- Product’s Quality
- Product’s Cost
- Compliance with the customer’s functional requirements
- Documented approach on meeting customer requirements
- Vendor’s Competency Level
- Vendor’s Financial Position
- Relevant Client References
- Project Closeout

Additional Reading

7 Ways Security & Architectural Design Can be Seamless

Incorporating Security Into Controlled Substance/Biotech Facility Design

Best Practices around Security through Environmental Design

Designing and Building an Effective SOC That Meets Your Unique Needs

- Product’s Usage
- Basis of Design
- Product’s Quality
- Product’s Cost
- Compliance with the customer’s functional requirements
- Documented approach on meeting customer requirements
- Vendor’s Competency Level
- Vendor’s Financial Position
- Relevant Client References
- Project Closeout

About Atriade

Atriade is a security consulting firm. We provide security system design services for access control, perimeter protection, video and visitor management, and other physical security technologies. We also provide security master planning, program development, risk assessments, professional services, and project management.

Our client portfolio includes Fortune 50 companies, Ivy League universities, and leading technology firms in Silicon Valley.

Visit us online at Atriade.com

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter: Take A Risk

Incorporating Security Into Controlled Substance/Biotech Facility Design

admin_atriade — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 13:17:05 +0000

Incorporating Security Into Controlled Substance/Biotech Facility Design

For most organizations, security is primarily focused on protecting one or more facilities and all people and data from physical and cyber intrusions. However, the best practices associated with security systems must be “leveled-up” when designing facilities to manufacture controlled substances like drugs or conduct biological research—whether constructing a building from the ground up or retrofitting an existing structure.

In particular, security will play a critical role in a facility’s ability to adhere to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), a system that ensures products like food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals as well as many types of R&D work are consistently produced and controlled according to set quality standards. GMP examines and covers all aspects of the manufacturing process to guard against risks that can be catastrophic, such as cross-contamination, adulteration, and mislabeling.

Implementing GMP can help cut down on losses and waste, protecting both manufacturers and consumers. When thinking about security as an element of GMP, it’s important to answer these four questions during the design process:

Who has access and when?
What is the critical relationship between doors and airflow?
How are investigations conducted to provide transparent oversight for governing bodies?
How is the product protected not only from environment concerns, but sabotage or theft as well?

Here is some guidance that might be helpful.

The Issue of Access

Issuing cards to employees and using a card reader is certainly an appropriate way to control who comes into a facility, but to adhere to GMP it’s critical to be more granular. For instance, it may be necessary to limit access to a holding area where products produced during the day are stored overnight before being shipped out the next morning.

In addition to taking into account specific situations unique to the facility, it’s important to recognize and account for an organization’s culture when designing security within GMP space. How do different platforms communicate with each other? Why is that important? How does the organization manage incidents? And then there are these three important questions to answer:

Should you allow access 24/7 or only during shift hours, and why one versus another?
How do supervisors communicate and interact with staff as it relates to physical access?
What role does security play in daily GMP operations, i.e., shutdowns, arming/disarming intrusion zones, incident management?

The Importance of Interlocking

While interlocks offer first-class physical protection, for GMP purposes they are also used to maintain airflow; an interlock is defined as a series of doors that open intelligently if one door is open, all associated doors are shunted (or locked) until all doors are normalized (or closed).

Interlocking is very important to separate air space and product. Depending on a facility’s requirements, it may be a typical steel single or double door, a roll-up door, or a sliding door. By allowing the access control system to take ownership of this logic, the operational process helps ensure required oversight is met and provides insightful data for investigations.

The Matter of Compliance

GMP spaces typically manage regulated products or biologicals (DNA) that have compliance requirements to ensure transparent practices, thus they have unique design requirements that will facilitate investigations by governing bodies. Detailed monitoring of those spaces delivers the appropriate oversight and provides value to the organization by accelerating the investigation process, which may include:

Documenting who accessed what space at what time
Documenting who enabled/disabled an intrusion area
Identifying if someone is inadvertently trapped and requires emergency egress by overriding locked doors

The Question of Cameras

While GMP does not require the use of cameras, we consider using them to be a best practice and recommend adequate camera coverage to capture the entire product pipeline, which may include:

Product processing (bottling and palatalizing)
Shipping and receiving
Short-term storage
Long-term storage

Camera coverage has proven to be a very effective tool to mitigate theft and sabotage, and it is a critical asset for the investigation process.

The Takeaway

For organizations that need to protect themselves against problems like cross-contamination over and above the typical security concerns associated with any business, focusing on leveled-up security as an integral part of the design process will ensure compliance with GMP standards. Incorporating best practices such as those we have detailed here is the best way to protect products, consumers, and the organization itself.

About Atriade

Atriade Atriade has worked on over 500+ projects, in 60+ industries, in 30+ countries. If you are ready to get expert assistance in creating your governance plan that will set you apart from your competitors, we are here to help. Our management team carries a lifetime of experience in all areas of Physical Security and Electronic Security that we are ready to put to work for your unique business and team.

Visit us online at Atriade.com

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter: Take A Risk

Best Practices around Security through Environmental Design

admin_atriade — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 11:48:47 +0000

Best Practices around Security through Environmental Design

It is a common assumption that the entrances of the buildings need the most protection. However, limiting security efforts to the front door would still be leaving your building vulnerable to security threats. A proper design and effective use of the built environment leads to a reduction in the likelihood of a crime occurring in a specific location.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a multi-disciplinary approach that is applied to building perimeters and properties to productively use space and reduce exposure to crime. Implementing security measures through environmental design is not a solution that works in isolation, but just like other elements of a security program, it is a layered approach that seeks to minimize broader security risks. We have compiled below some of the most effective measures in our practical experience that can be helpful solutions in your environments.

Environmental Design for Infrastructure Security

The physical infrastructures and their outdoor environment don’t only necessitate rigorous security standards to be elevated; but also, to coexist with space accessibility and freedom of movement. Incorporating existing elements of a building design or refining methods of safety enhancements in the architecture of a building are the main tools that are utilized in various projects as they help mitigate physical security risks.

Make Use of Surrounding Elements

The surrounding location and the existing landscape can be utilized as an additional layer of security to decrease crime and maintain safety with strategic planning and construction foresight.

Identify existing elements in the vicinity that can be incorporated into the perimeter’s security profile.
Make use of curb extensions and other street and perimeter elements. For instance:
- Extend green landscapes, vegetation embankments, and tree lines.
- Employ street benches or light fixtures.

A level of visual consistency can be maintained if these elements already exist, and a layer of security can be added without affecting the balance of the environment.

Take Advantage of Unobtrusive Features

Safety and security are frequently linked, particularly in infrastructures with high pedestrian traffic. While traffic signals, barriers, and signage are necessary, additional traffic calming techniques can also improve safety and maintain the visual balance of the space.

Moreover, redesigning and using other natural barriers can be used to direct pedestrian traffic in a certain direction.

As a substitute for traditional crosswalks, vehicular safety can be increased using:

Cobblestone alleys
Graded streets with smaller speed humps
Brick-laid crosswalks

These options can be combined with environment-specific signage and lighting.

Revamp the Existing Design

CPTED involves the design of the physical space in the context of the normal use of that space by the users as well as people’s predictable behavior in the surrounding area. Therefore, keep perimeter protection in mind while redesigning a building – the architecture of a building’s perimeter can be used to construct unobtrusive security obstacles.

The applicable structural solutions include:

Stone, concrete, or metal seating fixtures
Planters, sculptures, or monuments
Building offsets
Graded stairs

Moreover, gardens, tree trenches, and parklets provide greenery, drainage and can also act as security barriers.

Take the Traditional Safety Measures

When bollards and barriers are created with the building’s and facility’s perimeter vision in mind, they can be quite effective. Bollards and depressed pavements can be customized to meet specific requirements and impact ratings. Therefore, organizations should identify their operational risks and engage with structural and architectural teams to identify the right solutions.

The ideal approach includes:

The core objective of each area
The underlying risk (safety, security, and type of threat)
The culture/vision/nature of the physical space (openness, structural, and geographical aesthetics)

Environmental designs protect the perimeter and exterior of the building but some of the design principles around deferment can also assist with providing safety and security while help arrives.

Physical Designs & Protocols for Building Protection

Safeguarding the infrastructure of an organization in order to deter potential crime is no doubt essential. However, it is equally important to have adequate protection in place in case an active threat occurs within the location. Various types of solutions can be used to reach that level of protection until the relevant authorities can arrive and counteract the threat.

Incorporate Threat-Deferring Physical Design

Depending on the security risk assessment of the area, the business’ nature, and the kind of threats that could possibly occur against it (natural or otherwise), safe spots and shelters can be designed within the structure. This would help the inhabitants of the building take cover in a secured location until the threat is neutralized. A degree of flexibility must always be incorporated into the built design as the nature of the threats can vary, so can their epicenters. Hardened locations that can shield users of the building are also optimized, while proper escape routes should be integrated into the infrastructure

Prepare For a Threat Occurrence Beforehand

Documented policies, protocols, and sustained awareness are equally important in creating a proactive culture of safety within an organization. The following steps can significantly assist in empowering employees to leverage tools and spaces to reach for safety during an active threat:

Develop and provide adequate information on the safe rooms and locations that can provide them shelter during such events.
Create training and awareness guide to escape routes that can be taken to either exit the building or reach the safe spots.
Incorporate safety and active threat awareness into the annual fire and other safety drills

Validate Technical Solutions

Technical solutions, such as sensors, alarms, and integrated applications can further help in deferment of risk. However, it is important to validate that these solutions will meet the operational needs of the organization and achieve the desired goals. Conducting a technical and operational proof of concept is generally a good practice to vet and verify these solutions.

Utilize Visual Aid

The use of digital media can also be an effective solution to constantly reinforce the security measures taken in the building. Occupants can be presented with visual reminders regarding the following after physical and technical solutions have been taken care of:

Security protocols
Safety measures
Escape routes
General best practices

Visitors can also get safety protocols or best practice notifications on their portable devices through apps as soon as they enter the location and log on to the building’s Wi-Fi. These media platforms are not only effective in communicating vital information to a large pool of audience but are also extremely convenient and can create a positive user experience.

Concluding Thoughts

Security solutions are most effective when deployed in a layered approach to reduce and mitigate risk. Creating those layers from the perimeter of the building using environmental design is the first proactive step. Using the process, technology, and training to add additional layers internally to mitigate or delay negative risk can help an organization create a holistic security and safety solution.

About Atriade

Visit us online at Atriade.com

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter: Take A Risk