Introduction
In order to attack an asset or people, adversaries may either use force or surreptitious methods. Physical barriers can provide resistance to forced entry and include for example: doors, windows, walls, locks and locking systems, fences, containers (e.g. cabinets, safes) etc.
Forced entry may involve:
- Use of distraction techniques in order to confuse security personnel
- Use of layered attacks to overcome different security layers
- Multiple attackers
- Use of weapons to overcome barriers
- Use of manual or powered tools to overcome barriers
Assessing security risks
When assessing security risks it is important to define the type of adversaries of concern and their likely methods of attack. This should include information on how many, their level of skill/experience and what weapons or tools they will use. This requires a good knowledge of the threats and for that reason, it is recommended that advice is sought from your NPSA adviser (for NPSA customers), local police Counter Terrorism Security Adviser or a reputable security consultant.
Protective security around an asset should be based upon a multi-layer approach and be based on the concept of deter, detect, delay etc (see Protective Security). When defining the requirements for forced entry resistant barriers, it should be assumed that in most situations, a security barrier will be defeated and its required performance should be defined by its resistance time against:
- the number of adversaries attacking the barrier
- the skill and experience of the adversaries
- the weapons/tools used.
Standards
The use of recognised security standards is important when specifying the technical/performance requirements of a physical barrier. Selection of an appropriate standard, which is relevant to your threats, is crucial. Generally, standards that do not explicitly take into account, as part of their testing, weapons/tools used and resistance time, should be treated with caution.
NPSA have produced a guide entitled Forced Entry Standards – A guide to forced entry protection standards for facades and other building elements used within UK. The guide introduces the most widely used standards for forced entry protection specified in the UK. It is intended to help security managers and practitioners understand and select the most appropriate standard(s) for a given forced entry threat to determine the selected standards effectiveness are:
- appropriate to meet their threats;
- appropriate and proportionate to the threats identified
- applicable to the types of product and or system that may mitigate the forced entry threat faced.
NPSA have also produced a Forced Entry Standards animation which helps explain the guidance.
00:00:00:00 - 00:00:45:07
Forced entry protection standards.
When implementing Forced Entry Protection on your premises, you'll need to decide on a
Standard to follow.
Make sure your chosen Standard matches with the protection you're implementing and with
your perceived threat level.
There are several alternative Standards for force entry protection products.
Each address different threats, type of product, and level of protection.
Each of these Standards define a range of performance classifications, addressing different
types and levels of Force Entry Threat.
00:00:45:10 - 00:00:56:24
You should choose the Standard that aligns closest with the characteristics of the threats you
face.
00:00:56:27 - 00:01:27:07
This advice will help you select the most appropriate Standard for any specific Forced Entry
Protection Product, and ensure they match your Threat Level and Overall requirements.
No one Standard is exhaustive, so understanding which is most applicable to your needs, will
ensure your assets are appropriately, and proportionately protected - whether they be
People, Property, information or Equipment.
00:01:27:10 - 00:02:34:04
Differences between the standards include:
- type of active adversaries:
- number of active adversaries used in the standard:
- the adversary’s fear of detection:
- scope of tools used:
- the scope of product types covered by the standard.
No one standard covers all threat levels, so pick the standard that matches your threat
In addition, factor in the length of delay you require the products to provide, while you
detect and respond to the forced entry attempt.
00:02:34:07 - 00:03:13:28
Selecting a standard using the threat matrix:
- identify the threat
- identify an attack methodology
- use the threat matrix to focus on the Standard suitable for that kind of threat.
- focus on the Standard that covers your chosen kind of building element.
- Choose a Standard and Performance classification equal to the Threat Level and
Methodology of your adversary.
00:03:14:00 - 00:03:38:13
For example, you want to choose a Forced Entry Product to protect against acquiring
physical assets using stealth.
Then you should choose a product under these standards.
OR, to protect against access to people by a threat without fear of detection using a bladed
weapon, you should choose a product that meets these identified standards.
00:03:38:15 - 00:03:56:17
For more information, and to access the Threat Matrix, please read the NPSA Forced Entry
Standards Guide available on the NPSA website.
00:00:00:00 - 00:00:45:07
Forced entry protection standards.
When implementing Forced Entry Protection on your premises, you'll need to decide on a
Standard to follow.
Make sure your chosen Standard matches with the protection you're implementing and with
your perceived threat level.
There are several alternative Standards for force entry protection products.
Each address different threats, type of product, and level of protection.
Each of these Standards define a range of performance classifications, addressing different
types and levels of Force Entry Threat.
00:00:45:10 - 00:00:56:24
You should choose the Standard that aligns closest with the characteristics of the threats you
face.
00:00:56:27 - 00:01:27:07
This advice will help you select the most appropriate Standard for any specific Forced Entry
Protection Product, and ensure they match your Threat Level and Overall requirements.
No one Standard is exhaustive, so understanding which is most applicable to your needs, will
ensure your assets are appropriately, and proportionately protected - whether they be
People, Property, information or Equipment.
00:01:27:10 - 00:02:34:04
Differences between the standards include:
- type of active adversaries:
- number of active adversaries used in the standard:
- the adversary’s fear of detection:
- scope of tools used:
- the scope of product types covered by the standard.
No one standard covers all threat levels, so pick the standard that matches your threat
In addition, factor in the length of delay you require the products to provide, while you
detect and respond to the forced entry attempt.
00:02:34:07 - 00:03:13:28
Selecting a standard using the threat matrix:
- identify the threat
- identify an attack methodology
- use the threat matrix to focus on the Standard suitable for that kind of threat.
- focus on the Standard that covers your chosen kind of building element.
- Choose a Standard and Performance classification equal to the Threat Level and
Methodology of your adversary.
00:03:14:00 - 00:03:38:13
For example, you want to choose a Forced Entry Product to protect against acquiring
physical assets using stealth.
Then you should choose a product under these standards.
OR, to protect against access to people by a threat without fear of detection using a bladed
weapon, you should choose a product that meets these identified standards.
00:03:38:15 - 00:03:56:17
For more information, and to access the Threat Matrix, please read the NPSA Forced Entry
Standards Guide available on the NPSA website.
NPSA has developed its own range of security standards and evaluates the performance of products against these. NPSA primary standard for forced entry is entitled Manual Forced Entry Standard (MFES). Products deemed suitable for use by UK Government, national infrastructure and other sensitive sites are attributed a NPSA Protection Level of BASE, ENHANCED or HIGH and can use the NPSA trademark.
NPSA has introduced a new standard which focusses on Marauding Terrorist Attack Standard (MTAS) and award sophistication levels are BASIC, LOW, MODERATE, HIGH and EXPERT.
Specifying requirements for measures to protect CNI in these terms will help ensure that appropriate and effective solutions are procured. Further information on these is available directly from NPSA (for NPSA customers), your local police Counter Terrorism Security Adviser or a reputable security consultant.