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Objective: Learn how to build and execute a structured, actionable security assessment plan that identifies critical assets, evaluates risk, and aligns with organizational goals.
Developing a physical security assessment is a foundational task for any security professional. Whether you're protecting a corporate headquarters, data center, healthcare facility, or utility infrastructure, knowing what you’re protecting and how to assess the risks to those assets is essential. This process is central to risk-informed decision-making, regulatory compliance, and strategic security planning.
Before assessing risks, you must identify what matters most. A critical asset is anything—tangible or intangible—that is essential to your organization's mission. This includes people, property, technology, information systems, brand reputation, or operational continuity.
Techniques to Identify Critical Assets:
Asset Value Considerations:
Understanding asset criticality helps prioritize protection efforts and determine acceptable risk levels.
A strong security assessment must be built on a reliable framework. The following four models offer different perspectives and should be chosen based on facility type, threat landscape, and operational context:
🔄 Outside-Inward Assessment
Simulates adversary tactics by evaluating the site from the perimeter inward. Ideal for testing breach potential and intrusion pathways.
🛡️ Inside-Outward Assessment
Focuses on defending the most critical assets at the core and assessing outward protective layers. This method aligns well with business continuity goals.
📍 Site-Specific Assessment
Tailors the assessment to a facility’s unique location, purpose, history, and environmental risks. It integrates local crime data, access conditions, and regulatory obligations.
⚙️ Functional or Discipline-Specific Approach
Breaks the facility into security domains (e.g., access control, video surveillance, CPTED) and evaluates each independently before integrating findings.
Security professionals use both qualitative and quantitative tools to measure and visualize risk.
Tip: Use well-defined scales and document your assumptions for consistency and clarity.
To ensure a comprehensive and defensible assessment, you’ll need the right mix of people, tools, and frameworks:
👥 Stakeholders:
💵 Budget Planning:
📂 Tools & Documentation:
📚 Standards and Best Practices:
Expect the PSP exam to test your understanding of risk models, terminology, and assessment planning. You should be able to justify model selection, interpret criticality, and distinguish between qualitative vs. quantitative findings.
Developing a physical security assessment plan is not just a test topic—it’s a real-world skill that lays the groundwork for all protective strategies. Use it to align your security posture with business needs, gain stakeholder support, and deliver measurable value to your organization.
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