10 Tips for the Perfect Perimeter

The perimeter of your site is a property line that distinguishes what’s yours and what’s not. It is often your first line of defence against criminal activity – any villain wishing to access your site will initially have to cross this perimeter.

Your perimeter can take many forms, such as a wall, or a security fence or it could be as subtle as a change of landscaping. Whichever, it is imperative to get it right, because the effectiveness of your perimeter has a direct impact on the security of your whole business.

In this blog, we reveal 10 tips to help you prepare the perfect perimeter.

Or, you can download our Perimeter Security Checklist below.

Perimeter Security Checklist

1. Your perimeter says a lot about your business. It DEFINES who you are and your company culture. A hard perimeter, such as a security fence with razor wire topping, gives a certain impression of the business. Whilst a more subtle perimeter, such as a change of landscaping, or a clearing of horticulture gives a different impression.

2. Whichever type of perimeter you choose to reflect your business, it is vital it DEMARCATES your property from that of others. It should let people know where your property starts.

3. Your perimeter should DETER unauthorised persons from accessing your site. This can be achieved by making the perimeter look too difficult to cross, or by convincing an assailant that they will be caught.

4. Having the ability to DENY access to unauthorised persons or vehicles is imperative for the perfect perimeter. Just allowing access to permitted persons and vehicles is not enough. You should deny access to both those with malicious intent as well as those that accidentally cross your perimeter.

5. Furthermore, should an unauthorised person or vehicle decide to breach your perimeter you should have the ability to DELAY the advance of the adversary. The aim here, is to provide enough time for you to incept the intruder.

6. Being able to DETECT any unauthorised or suspicious activity around the perimeter is vital for the perfect perimeter. It allows you to initiate a response as quickly as possible. CCTV is a great way of achieving this.

7. A perimeter must DEFEND inwards as well as outwards. In other words, your perimeter must prevent staff taking assets out of your business just as much as preventing unauthorised access into your business.

8. You should DIVIDE your perimeter into manageable zones. Long sections of your perimeter are difficult to control a responding force and are also difficult to monitor.

9. The ability to DEFEAT an unprepared assailant is relatively straight forward, but will your perimeter defeat an adversary who has come prepared? Spend time and think about the threats that your business may face.

10. Lastly, your perimeter should DEFLECT a villain onto a weaker target. If your perimeter is less weak than business nearby, you will be viewed as the weakest link.

If you would like to know more about preparing the perfect perimeter, then please get in touch.