Target hardening is the process of making a structure more difficult to attack or destroy. It's a relatively technical term, one that's largely associated with government buildings and global commerce facilities. Yet target hardening also refers to protection from natural disasters, accidental threats, and internal threats, all of which can apply to any building or property. From mom-and-pop corner stores to churches to schools, everyone can benefit from having the right target hardening techniques. But there's a careful balance that needs to be struck for owners who want to adopt these measures, otherwise you risk alienating those who use your facilities for the right purposes. (For example, you wouldn't necessarily want barb wire to surround a bustling, luxury shopping mall.) We'll look at what to keep in mind before you start implementing your own protections.
Threat Assessment Factors
Every facility faces its own unique combination of threats — some of which are more likely than others. A threat assessment starts with determining which areas you want to cover. For example, you might want to focus on network security rather than physical perimeter protection. Or you might be more concerned with internal threats and whether employees are taking advantage of their position. You should be taking into account as much data as possible, including official regulatory statutes, such as PCI DSS or GDPR if applicable. Once you've identified the threats, you can start analyzing and brainstorming solutions. You need to categorize them in terms of severity and ensure you're addressing each one by its relative priority. Ideally, a threat assessment should cover as many vulnerabilities as possible.
What Areas Warrant Target Hardening
Entry points, IT networks, security guard booths: these are often the biggest items on a facility owner's list. Whether the attack comes from above, below, or inside, the goal is to strengthen the facility from top to bottom. There is no such thing as preventing all destruction or damage, only limiting it. So if your facility was more likely to suffer from a tornado due to its location, you might consider reinforcing your walls or roof. If you were more likely to be confronted with a terrorist or criminal threat, then you might consider installing more ballistic glass or increasing the number of flood lights on the premises. As sad as it is when it comes to deterring the criminal element, sometimes you're just looking for enough barriers to prompt them to move on.
Contact Kontek Indutries
Threat and vulnerability assessment can be done by any facility owner. Your organizational security starts with basic questions that cover many of your bases. Yet it's also all too easy to overlook the less obvious threats that lie just off to the side. This is exactly how facilities end up becoming targets and why owners are often left confused at how it could have happened. If you're looking for expert advice, services, and prodcuts that will focus on hardening the target, Kontek Industries may be able to help. Our experts specialize in facility security and how different elements contribute (or hinder) your overall strategy. Contact us today to learn more about our methodologies and what we can do for you.
