Physical control

Physical control -

Physical  controls are  those  controls that  protect the  physical  environment in which our  systems  sit or where  our  data  is stored. Such controls also control access  in  and  out   of  such  environments. Physical  controls logically  include items   such   as  fences,  gates,  locks,  bollards, guards,   and   cameras, but  also include systems  that  maintain the  physical  environment such  as heating and  air conditioning systems, fire suppression systems, and  backup power generators. Although at  first  glance,  physical   controls may  not  seem  like  they  would be integral to information security,  they  are actually one of the  more  critical  controls with  which we need  to be concerned. If we are not  able  to physically protect our  systems and  data,  any other controls that  we can  put  in place  become irrelevant. If an  attacker is  able  to  physically access  our  systems,   he  can,  at the  very  least steal   or  destroy the  system,  rendering it  unavailable for  our use in the  best  case.  In the  worst  case, he will  have  access directly to our  applications and  data   and  will  be  able  to  steal  our  information and  resources, or subvert them  for his own  use