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PSP Exam Domains and Knowledge Statements

DOMAIN ONE: PHYSICAL SECURITY ASSESSMENT (34% of examination)  

Task 1: Develop a physical security assessment plan NEW
  1. Risk assessment models and considerations 
  2. Qualitative and quantitative assessment methods 
  3. Key areas of the facility or assets that may be involved in the assessment 
  4. Types of resources needed for the assessment 
Task 2: Identify assets to determine their value, criticality, and loss impact 
  1. ​Definitions and terminology related to assets, value, loss impact, and criticality
  2. The nature and types of assets (tangible and intangible) 
  3. How to determine value for various types of assets and business operations NEW
Task 3: Assess the nature of the threats so that the scope of the problem can be determined 
  1. ​The nature, types, severity, and likelihood of threats and hazards (e.g., natural disasters, cyber, criminal events, terrorism, socio-political, cultural) NEW
  2. Operating environment (e.g., geography, socioeconomic environment, criminal activity) NEW
  3. Potential impact of external organizations (e.g., competitors, supply chain, organizations in immediate proximity) on facility's security program 
  4. Other external factors (e.g., legal, loss of reputation, economic) and their impact on the facility's security program NEW​
Task 4: Conduct an assessment to identify and quantify vulnerabilities of the organization 
  1. ​Relevant data and methods for collection (e.g., security survey, interviews, past incident reports, crime statistics, employee issues, issues experienced by other similar organizations) 
  2. Qualitative and quantitative methods for assessing vulnerabilities to probable threats and hazards     
  3. Existing equipment, physical security systems, personnel, and procedures
  4. Effectiveness of security technologies and equipment currently in place 
  5. Interpretation of building plans, drawings and schematics 
  6. Applicable standards/regulations/codes and where to find them 
  7. Environmental factors and conditions (e.g., facility location, architectural barriers, lighting, entrances) that impact physical security
Task 5: Perform a risk analysis so that appropriate countermeasures can be developed
  1. ​​Risk analysis strategies and methods 
  2. Risk management principles 
  3. Methods for analysis and interpretation of collected data 
  4. Threat and vulnerability identification NEW​
  5. Loss event profile analyses 
  6. Appropriate countermeasures related to specific risks 
  7. Cost benefit analysis (e.g. return on investment (ROI) analysis, total cost of ownership) 
  8. Legal and regulatory considerations related to various countermeasures/security applications (e.g., video surveillance, privacy issues, personally identifiable information)

DOMAIN TWO: APPLICATION, DESIGN, AND INTEGRATION OF PHYSICAL SECURITY SYSTEMS (34% of examination) 

Task 1: Establish security program performance requirements 
  1. ​Design constraints (e.g. regulations, budget, cost, materials, equipment and system compatibility)     
  2. Applicability of risk analysis results 
  3. Relevant security terminology and concepts 
  4. Applicable codes, standards and guidelines 
  5. Functional requirements (e.g., system capabilities, features, fault tolerance) 
  6. Performance requirements (e.g., technical capability, systems design capacities) 
  7. Operational requirements (e.g., policies, procedures, staffing) 
  8. Success metrics
Task 2: Determine appropriate physical security measures NEW
  1. ​Structural security measures (e.g., barriers, lighting, locks, blast mitigation, ballistic protection) 
  2. Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) concepts 
  3. Electronic security systems (e.g., access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection) 
  4. Security staffing (e.g., officers, technicians, management) 
  5. Personnel, package, and vehicle screening 
  6. Emergency notification systems 
  7. Principles of data storage and management 
  8. Principles of network infrastructure and network security 
  9. Security audio communications (e.g., radio, telephone, intercom, IP audio) 
  10. Systems monitoring and display (control centers/consoles) 
  11. Systems redundancy alternative power sources (battery, UPS, generators, surge protection) 
  12. Signal and data transmission methods 
  13. Considerations regarding Personally Identifiable Information (physical/logical/biometric) 
  14. Visitor management systems and circulation control 
Task 3: Design physical security system and prepare construction and procurement documentation 
  1. ​Design phases (pre-design, schematic design, design development, construction documentation)     
  2. Design elements (e.g., calculations, drawings, specifications, review of manufacturer's data, technical data) 
  3. Construction specification standards (e.g., Constructions Specifications Institute, Owner’s equipment standards, American Institute of Architects MasterSpec) 
  4. Systems integration (e.g., technical approach, connecting with non-security systems) 
  5. Project management concepts 
  6. Scheduling (e.g., Gantt charts, PERT charts, milestones and objectives) 
  7. Cost estimation and cost-benefit analysis of design options 
  8. Value engineering

DOMAIN THREE: IMPLEMENTATION OF PHYSICAL SECURITY MEASURES (32% of examination) 

Task 1: Outline criteria for pre-bid meeting to ensure comprehensiveness and appropriateness of implementation 
  1. ​Bi​d package components 
  2. Criteria for evaluation of bids 
  3. Technical compliance criteria 
  4. Ethics in contracting
Task 2: Procure system to address risks identified 
  1. ​Project management functions and processes throughout the system life cycle NEW
  2. Vendor pre-qualification (interviews and due diligence) 
  3. Procurement process
Task 3: Conduct final acceptance testing and implement/provide procedures for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the measures NEW  
  1. ​Installation and inspection techniques
  2. Systems integrations 
  3. Commissioning 
  4. Installation problem resolution (punchlists) 
  5. Systems configuration management 
  6. Final acceptance testing criteria NEW
  7. End-user training requirements
Task 4: Implement procedures for ongoing monitoring and evaluation throughout the system life cycle 
  1. ​Maintenance inspection techniques ​
  2. Test and acceptance criteria 
  3. Warranty types 
  4. Ongoing maintenance, inspections, and upgrades 
  5. Ongoing training requirements 
  6. Systems disposal and replacement processes 
Task 5: Develop requirements for personnel involved in support of the security program 
  1. ​​​​Roles, responsibilities and limitations of security personnel (including proprietary (in-house) and contract security staff) 
  2. Human resource management 
  3. Security personnel training, development and certification 
  4. General, post and special orders 
  5. Security personnel uniforms and equipment 
  6. Personnel performance review and improvement processes 
  7. Methods to provide security awareness training and education for non-sec​urity personnel 
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