The physical security professional: Mapping a body of knowledge

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Security Journal

Publisher

Springer

School

School of Science

RAS ID

22741

Comments

Coole, M. P., Brooks, D. J., & Minnaar, A. (2017). The physical security professional: Mapping a body of knowledge. Security Journal, 30(4), 1169-1197. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41284-016-0084-8

Abstract

Physical security is a specific jurisdictional domain practice area for contemporary security professionals. However, currently there is limited academic understanding of this group of practitioners in terms of general and technical knowledge requisites and skill competencies. Yet they are instrumental in solving society’s built environment security concerns. Consequently, this study undertook a cultural domain analysis to uncover the knowledge system underpinning physical security. The study found that physical security’s body of knowledge comprises a broad matrix of task-related knowledge categories, ranging from understanding the contextual threat drivers, use of security theories and principles, to engineering knowledge of technical components braced by professional-enabling requisites. Furthermore, this knowledge domain has a hierarchical structure, organised on the professional tasks of diagnosing the security problem, inference to reach the optimal resolution among many options and, finally, treatment of the identified security problem.

DOI

10.1057/s41284-016-0084-8

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