2 cissp ® Official Study Guide Eighth Edition

Site Selection
Site selection should be based on the security needs of the organization. Cost, location, and 
size are important, but addressing the requirements of security should always take prece-
dence. When choosing a site on which to build a facility or selecting a preexisting structure, 
be sure to examine every aspect of its location carefully.
Securing assets depends largely on site security, which involves numerous considerations 
and situational elements. Site location and construction play a crucial role in the overall 
site selection process. Susceptibility to riots, looting, break-ins, and vandalism or location 
within a high-crime area are obviously all poor choices but cannot always be dictated or 
controlled. Environmental threats such as fault lines, tornado/hurricane regions, and close 

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Chapter 10 
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Physical Security Requirements
proximity to other natural disasters present significant issues for the site selection process 
as well because you can’t always avoid such threats.
Proximity to other buildings and businesses is another crucial consideration. What 
sorts of attention do they draw, and how does that affect your operation or facility? If a 
nearby business attracts too many visitors, generates lots of noise, causes vibrations, or 
handles dangerous materials, they could harm your employees or buildings. Proximity to 
emergency-response personnel is another consideration, along with other elements. Some 
companies can afford to buy or build their own campuses to keep neighboring elements out 
of play and to enable tighter access control and monitoring. However, not every company 
can exercise this option and must make do with what’s available and affordable instead.
At a minimum, ensure that the building is designed to withstand fairly extreme weather 
conditions and that it can deter or fend off overt break-in attempts. Vulnerable entry points 
such as windows and doors tend to dominate such analysis, but you should also evaluate 
objects (trees, shrubs, or man-made items) that can obscure break-in attempts.
Visibility
Visibility is important. What is the surrounding terrain? Would it be easy to approach the 
facility by vehicle or on foot without being seen? The makeup of the surrounding area is 
also important. Is it in or near a residential, business, or industrial area? What is the local 
crime rate? Where are the closest emergency services located (fire, medical, police)? What 
unique hazards may be found in the vicinity (chemical plants, homeless shelters, universi-
ties, construction sites, and so on)?
Another element of visibility is related to the area monitored by a security camera. Be 
sure the locations and capabilities of the security cameras are coordinated with the interior 
and exterior design of the facility. Cameras should be positioned to have clear site lines of 
all exterior walls, entrance and exit points, and interior hallways.