Die Hard: Not Just a Great Christmas Movie
The magnificent Christmas film "Die Hard" depicts a terrorist attack on Nakatomi Plaza, a high-rise building in Los Angeles. The main character, John McClane, is a New York City police officer who becomes embroiled in the attack when he visits the building to reconcile with his estranged wife. The film is a classic example of the action thriller genre and has been widely praised for its storytelling and performances. However, when viewed from a physical security perspective, "Die Hard" also serves as an objective lesson in what not to do when protecting a high-value asset.
The Failure of Effective Physical Security Risk Management
The first and most obvious failure of physical security in "Die Hard" is the lack of perimeter security at Nakatomi Plaza. The terrorists gain access to the building by impersonating delivery personnel, suggesting that the building's security staff were not conducting adequate screening of visitors. Additionally, there were no security barriers or checkpoints at the building's entrance, which would have made it more difficult for the terrorists to breach the building.
The second failure of physical security in "Die Hard" is the lack of surveillance and detection systems. The terrorists are able to move freely throughout the building, planting explosives and taking hostages, without being detected by the building's security staff. There are no cameras or other surveillance equipment in the lobby or other common areas, and the security staff does not appear to be monitoring the building's access points or conducting regular patrols.
The third failure of physical security in "Die Hard" is the lack of delay measures. Once the terrorists have breached the building, they are able to move quickly to their objective without encountering any significant resistance. There are no locked doors or other physical barriers that would have slowed their progress or given the security staff time to respond.
Finally, the response of the building's security staff to the terrorist attack is inadequate. The security guards are armed (it is America!) but lack training and coordination, and they are quickly overwhelmed by the terrorists. The building's emergency response plan is also poorly designed and executed (or arguably non-existent!), with no clear chain of command or communication channels.
The Core Principles of Physical Security
To prevent a similar attack on a high-value asset, it is essential to understand the core principles of physical security. These principles can be summarised as deter, detect, delay, and respond.
Deterrence is the first line of defence in physical security. The goal is to prevent a security incident from occurring in the first place by making the target less attractive to potential attackers through increasing the perceived difficulty and risk of an attack. This can be achieved through visible security measures such as barriers, security warning signs, overt surveillance cameras, and security personnel.
Detection is the second line of defence in physical security. The goal is to detect an attack as early as possible, allowing for a timely response. This can be achieved through monitored surveillance systems such as cameras, motion sensors, and intrusion detection systems.
Delay is the third line of defence in physical security. The goal is to slow down an attacker's progress and limit their ability to move freely throughout the target, providing time for a response to be initiated. This can be achieved through physical barriers such as locked doors, access control systems, reinforced windows, and walls.
Response is the final line of defence in physical security. The goal is to quickly and effectively respond to an attack, minimising its impact and preventing further harm. This can be achieved through well-trained and coordinated security personnel, an effective emergency response plan, and communication channels that allow for rapid response.
Applying the Core Principles of Physical Security to Nakatomi Plaza
If the core principles of physical security had been applied to Nakatomi Plaza, the terrorist attack depicted in "Die Hard" could have been prevented or mitigated. Deterrence measures could have included a visible security presence at the building's entrance, with security barriers and access control systems that would have made it difficult for the terrorists to gain entry.
Detection measures could have included a comprehensive surveillance system, with cameras and motion sensors in the lobby and other common areas. This would have allowed security personnel to detect the terrorists as soon as they entered the building, alerting them to the threat and allowing for a timely response.
Delay measures could have included physical barriers such as layers of electronically access controlled doors and reinforced windows. These measures would have slowed down the terrorists' progress and limited their ability to move freely throughout the building. Additionally, well-trained security personnel could have been deployed throughout the building to confront and delay the terrorists.
Response measures could have included a well-coordinated emergency response plan, with clear communication channels and a designated chain of command. Security personnel could have been trained to respond to a variety of threats, including terrorist attacks, and the building's security systems could have been designed to support an effective response.
In conclusion, the failure of effective physical security risk management in "Die Hard" highlights the importance of the core principles of deter, detect, delay, and respond in protecting high-value assets. By applying these principles to Nakatomi Plaza, the terrorist attack depicted in the film could have been prevented or mitigated. It is essential for organisations and security professionals to understand these principles and incorporate them into their physical security risk management strategies, in order to protect people, assets, and facilities from a wide range of threats.
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