Physical and cyber threats are often interconnected. For example, someone gaining physical access to a server room could bypass digital defenses. A strong physical security posture supports your overall resilience. In addition, it is legal and ethical to provide a safe work environment for employees, which in turn helps with retention.
Physical security of critical infrastructure and industrial facilities manages physical threats – such as unauthorized access, vandalism, theft, or sabotage. It ranges from badge entry and fence lines to closed circuit television (CCTV), remote monitoring, intrusion detection and more. It helps ward off physical attacks—like cutting power lines, damaging substations or tampering with water systems— that can have immediate and widespread consequences.
The biggest area for improvement we see among clients is with their ability to detect a threat and respond to it. Many organizations lack integrated surveillance systems, effective access control monitoring or trained personnel to recognize suspicious behavior. Without these capabilities, threats can go unnoticed until damage is done. Strengthening detection and response involves combining technology—like motion sensors, video analytics and intrusion alarms—with well-defined protocols and regular drills to ensure staff know how to act quickly and appropriately.
1. How long would it take for you to know if a malicious actor gained access to a sensitive area or critical equipment at one of your locations?
2. Would you be able to identify whether an internal employee or third-party contractor improperly accessed a sensitive area or critical equipment last month?
3. Have you addressed how long it would take for an appropriate response to be taken in the event of a malicious actor gaining access to a remote facility?
4. Are your perimeter barriers designed to detect, delay and deter intruders effectively or would they be easily bypassed?
5. Are your security systems requiring increased operations and maintenance (O&M) costs year-over-year to stay viable?
6. How many separate systems do you have to manage across your portfolio for access control or video surveillance?
7. Have you addressed how to respond to various emerging threats such as uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) or social media challenges that may target your facility or operations?
Engage with experts to perform a solid evaluation of your facility’s threats and vulnerabilities. Think of security experts like you would with doctors, as specialists who understand the art and science of what they do.
Prioritize mitigation on the highest threats and highest vulnerabilities with the biggest impact. For example, avoid a scenario where you’re spending $100,000 to protect a $5,000 asset.
Take a four-pronged approach to building the right physical security solution for your organization. This includes people (training and awareness), processes (such as badging procedures), technology (like locks) and equipment (such as fences and doors)
In today’s threat landscape, physical security can no longer be an afterthought. While cybersecurity rightly commands attention, the risks posed by unauthorized physical access, vandalism and sabotage are just as real—and often interconnected. Organizations that take a proactive, strategic approach to physical security not only protect their assets and operations but also fulfill their duty to provide a safe, secure environment for employees. By assessing vulnerabilities, prioritizing high-impact risks and implementing a balanced solution across people, processes, technology and equipment, utilities and other critical infrastructure providers can significantly strengthen their resilience. The time to act is now—before a preventable incident becomes a costly lesson.
Black & Veatch can help. We deliver turnkey physical security solutions by leveraging our full EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) capabilities, offering clients a single point of accountability from design to deployment to operations. The same approach we take to industrial cybersecurity. With deep expertise in critical infrastructure, we ensure that security systems are engineered to meet stringent regulatory (NERC CIP, AWIA) and operational standards (NIST, ISO 22301, ISO 27001), procured from trusted vendors and constructed with precision. This integrated approach streamlines project delivery, reduces risk and ensures that physical security systems are robust, scalable and seamlessly integrated into broader facility operations.
