The simplest question on physical security counts as much as the most complicated question on crypto. Remember, safety is always #1 on the exam. There are a few things to memorize in this domain, like heights of fences, types of fire extinguishers, classes of gates, etc.
HVAC – Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. HVAC is an issue in physical and environmental security. With joint tenancy, HVAC can be a major concern as others may have access to your HVAC controls.
EPO – Emergency Power Off. Sometimes called the “big red button” which can shut off power to the entire data center when an emergency occurs (or when it’s pressed by mistake).
CCTV – Closed Circuit TeleVision. A primarily detective physical control. Although wireless and IP based cameras are more common these days, there are still a lot of CCTV systems in use.
CRT – Cathode Ray Tube. CRT are both used for older cameras, and old style monitors, which are heavy, relatively fragile, and deep, and made of a vacuum tube with three electron beams, one for red, green, and blue, producing an image.
CCD – Charge Coupled Discharge. The technology used by newer cameras, and in fact most cameras today.
RFI – Radio Frequency Interference. RFI can be caused by devices like neon lights and electric motors and RFI can modulate electric power, called “noise” on the electric power. Normally electric cables are routed away from other cables, grounded, and shielded to help prevent noise from RFI and from EMI (ElectroMagnetic Interference).
EMI – ElectroMagnetic Interference. High frequency EMI is called RFI.
IP – Intellectual Property. Physical security, at least in large part for most organizations, should be focused on protecting IP. Yeah, yeah, I know it stands for something else too!
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