Security is like an onion

The security methods you use to protect yourself from crime can be seen like an onion. You need several layers of security.

An example of the “security onion” could look like this

  1. Outer layer - Police, state, justice system
  2. Next layer - Neighborhood watch
  3. Next layer - Security estate/complex security
  4. Next layer - Walls around your property
  5. Next layer - Spikes or barbed wire on top of the walls
  6. Next layer - Guard dogs
  7. Next layer - Security beams
  8. Next layer - Cameras/guards
  9. Next layer - Locked doors and windows
  10. Next layer - Burglar bars/security gates
  11. Next layer - Working and armed alarm system with armed response
  12. Next layer - Vigilance, being aware of your surroundings, what is normal and what is not
  13. Next layer - Knowledge on what to do in a situation
  14. Next layer - Knowledge of self defense
  15. Next layer - Weapon for self defence.


There are a couple of interesting things to note on this security onion.

The first important thing is that you have to evaluate what your security onion looks like.

  • Work on adding more layers and making the layers you decide to implement effective. Not all of the layers require money to do. Vigilance and knowledge are important aspects of your security onion.

The second important thing to note is that it is better for the outer layers to do the prevention.

  • The more layers the threat gets through the closer the threat is to you possessions and to possibly life threatening situations.
  • Also the closer the threat is allowed to get to you the more it could have an impact on your lifestyle, sense of security and peace, and other things like property value etc.
  • Let me elaborate on the lifestyle issue. The closer the threat is to you the more it will impact whether you feel safe in taking a walk in your neighborhood, to the beach, on the mountain. What about your children?

It is critical to try to make sure that the outer layers stop the crime so that you do not have to rely on the inner layers where crime really starts to affect your lifestyle and sense of well being.

What does your security onion look like? Why don’t you add an extra layer to your security onion by joining in and being active in your neighborhood watch. Register now on this site and volunteer for street alert, rapid response team, or to be a patroler. At very least just register and subscribe to our newsletters so that you stay
informed.

Be safe…
Komwatch