Page 677 - (ISC)² CISSP Certified Information Systems Security Professional Official Study Guide

because you can’t always avoid such threats.

Proximity to other buildings and businesses is another crucial
consideration. What sorts of attention do they draw, and how does

that affect your operation or facility? If a nearby business attracts too
many visitors, generates lots of noise, causes vibrations, or handles
dangerous materials, they could harm your employees or buildings.
Proximity to emergency-response personnel is another consideration,
along with other elements. Some companies can afford to buy or build

their own campuses to keep neighboring elements out of play and to
enable tighter access control and monitoring. However, not every
company can exercise this option and must make do with what’s
available and affordable instead.

At a minimum, ensure that the building is designed to withstand fairly
extreme weather conditions and that it can deter or fend off overt
break-in attempts. Vulnerable entry points such as windows and doors

tend to dominate such analysis, but you should also evaluate objects
(trees, shrubs, or man-made items) that can obscure break-in
attempts.

Visibility

Visibility is important. What is the surrounding terrain? Would it be

easy to approach the facility by vehicle or on foot without being seen?
The makeup of the surrounding area is also important. Is it in or near
a residential, business, or industrial area? What is the local crime rate?
Where are the closest emergency services located (fire, medical,
police)? What unique hazards may be found in the vicinity (chemical
plants, homeless shelters, universities, construction sites, and so on)?

Another element of visibility is related to the area monitored by a

security camera. Be sure the locations and capabilities of the security
cameras are coordinated with the interior and exterior design of the
facility. Cameras should be positioned to have clear site lines of all
exterior walls, entrance and exit points, and interior hallways.

Natural Disasters

Another concern is the potential impact that natural disasters could