Facility managers should increase their security budgets to combat street-level criminality as well as potential terrorist threats, according to a white paper on the ISSA Security website.

Most healthcare facilities have traditionally used a very open concept when it comes to security, according to the paper. The external security is normally controlled access to employee parking areas, a few CCTV cameras, and maybe a single roving security guard. The internally visible security normally consists of a single security guard at the main entrance.  

The day-to-day security responses need to reflect the criminal dangers associated with healthcare facilities. This is primarily achieved through Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), the paper said.

The goal of CPTED is a reduction of opportunities for crime to occur. This reduction is achieved by employing physical design features that discourage crime.

CPTED consists of six areas of security:

• Defense of space

• Territoriality

• Surveillance

• Lighting

• Landscaping

• Physical security

Read the white paper.