Appendix B: Physical Security Glossary and Acronyms

A-C

Access control system:

an electronic system that controls entry and egress from a building or area.

Access control:

limiting access to information system resources to authorized users, programs, processes, or other systems only.

Accountability:

explicit assignment of responsibilities for oversight of areas of control to executives, managers, staff, owners, providers, and users of minimum essential infrastructure resource elements.

Aggressor:

any person seeking to compromise a function or structure.

Airborne contamination:

chemical or biological agents introduced into and fouling the source of supply of breathing or conditioning air.

Alpha particles:

alpha particles have a very short range in air and a very low ability to penetrate other materials, but also have a strong ability to ionize materials. Alpha particles are unable to penetrate even the thin layer of dead cells of human skin and consequently are not an external radiation hazard. Alpha-emitting nuclides inside the body as a result of inhalation or ingestion are a considerable internal radiation hazard.

Antiterrorism:

defensive measures used to reduce the vulnerability of individuals, forces, and property to terrorist acts.

Area lighting:

lighting that illuminates a large exterior area.

Assessment:

evaluation and interpretation of measurements and other information to provide a basis for decision making.

Asset:

a resource of value requiring protection. An asset can be tangible (people, buildings, facilities, equipment, activities, operations, and information) or intangible (processes, information, and reputation).

Beta particles:

high-energy electrons emitted from the nucleus of an atom during radioactive...