The obsession about cyber security has far too often overshadowed the need for improving physical security of IT, network, and telecom assets. During the last decade a great deal of attention has been focused on the cyber aspects of information systems security. The growth of distributed computing combined with the widespread use of off-the-shelf software products and Internet connectivity has created security nightmares for many organizations. In an effort to address an array of cyber security problems many organizations have hired or trained new IT security personnel and dramatically increased spending on computer security products. It appears that the struggle to improve cyber security will continue well into the future.

However, it does little good to have great cyber security if people can easily walk into an office and sit down at a computer and gain access to systems and applications. Likewise, it takes little skill for an individual to use an ax, hammer, or fire hose to damage or destroy electronic equipment. Damage resulting from such incidents can be far more difficult to recover from than a hack attack or malicious code incident and can cost more money.

This book shows organizations how to design and implement security plans to prevent the physical destruction of, or tampering with computers, network equipment, and telecommunications systems.

Chapter 1 provides an overview of physical security and the many reasons it is so important. These include guarding against damage done by disgruntled employees and angry former employees who have or can get access...