Physical Security


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Physical Security


HLS315 - Physical Security
Homeland Security
Ed Piper, MS, BA, AA - Vita

Course Description:

This course provides security students and professionals with introduction to loss prevention concepts and security program implementation. It provides proven strategies to prevent and reduce incidence of loss due to crime, fire, access, error and risk management.

Objectives:
  1. To provide students with a history of security and loss prevention.
  2. To discuss business and careers in security and loss prevention.
  3. To examine risk analysis evaluation of loss prevention programs.
  4. To discuss tort law, contract law, administrative law as applied towards security
  5. To examine threats and countermeasures
  6. To examine auditing, fire and safety management
  7. To discuss risk management, retail loss prevention and loss prevention at select facilities.
Required Book(s) –   Online Bookstore

Security and Loss Prevention, 4th Edition, Phillip P. Purpura Butterworth and Heinemann 2004 ISBN: 0750674377

Websites or PDF Files to Visit or Read: N/A

Written Assignments: Answer assigned questions each week and email responses to EDPIP@aol.com at the end of the week. When two questions are required-each one is valued at 5 points each. When only 1 question is provided-it is valued at 10.

Points are subtracted as follows:
Late: -2
Poor Grammar: -2
Poor Spelling: -2
Failure to apply course material: -3

TOTAL FOR COURSE: 100 POINTS

I will determine your final grade based on the total number of points you have accumulated at the end of the semester. I do not award letter grades for each paper or exam. Your grade will be determined as follows:

95-100 points A
90-94 points A-
85-89 points B+
80-84 points B
75-79 points B-
70-74 points C+
65-69 points C
60-64 points C-
55-59 points D
below 55 points F


Assignments:

Week 1: Read Chapters 1, 2. As the security manager, you are asked to speak on the history and development of security and loss prevention. What five significant points in the history of this field -- do you emphasize? As a corporate security manager, how would you handle the following situation -- Two contract security officers failed to show up for the first shifts. The only available replacements are untrained and have not completed their background investigation. What would you do?

Week 2: Read Chapters 3, 4. Prepare a five slide PowerPoint presentation outlining the prerequisites to planning security and loss prevention programs and strategies.
You are a newly hired security manager for electronics company of 2000 employees. You were told by your supervisor to bring the security program into the 21st-century. Apparently the previous security manager did not need management expectations. What are your ideas for improving internal and external relations with employees and outside organizations?

Week 3: Read Chapters 5, 6. Providing a four slide PowerPoint presentation, outlining the step-by-step screening process for applicants interested in uniform loss prevention positions. How do you think corporate downsizing affects Maslow's hierarchy of human needs and loss prevention?

Week 4: Read Chapters 7, 8 . Go to page 184 and respond to Case question 7A.
What strategies you view as affording the best protection against unauthorized entry? Support your answer.

Week 5: Read Chapters 9, 10. Develop a 10 slide PowerPoint presentation outlining the questions you should consider when selecting a security system. Why would a private security investigator choose to interview rather than interrogate?

Week 6: Read Chapters 11, 12 . Why do you think fraud is such a huge problem? What do you think is the most serious potential disaster facing your company/ organization? What protection methods you recommend?

Week 7: Read Chapters 13, 14. How does OSHA define occupational injury and illness? Explain how five risk management tools are applied.

Week 8: Read Chapters 15, 16 . What you think is the most serious vulnerability at the checkout counters? Support your answer and include countermeasures. What are your ideas and strategies for dealing with cybercriminals?

Week 9: Read Chapters 17,18 . What do you view are the top three strategies to prevent violence in school districts? Who do you think has the edge; those who seek sensitive information are those who protect it?

Week 10: Read Chapter 19. What trends to see in the security and loss prevention field? What will you do to prepare for a career in loss prevention or homeland security?

About Your Instructor: Ed Piper holds a Master Degree in Applied Behavioral Science from Johns Hopkins University. He is pursuing a Doctorate in Education at the College of Notre Dame. He serves on the faculty of Johns Hopkins University and Norwich University. He has thirty years of experience in security, intelligence, education, training, management and consulting.