A multicriteria approach to critical facility security system design

Abstract

This chapter develops a methodology to assist critical facility operators in designing physical protection systems to defend against a single adversary (thief, saboteur, terrorist, etc.) attack. The developed methodology utilizes a multicriteria decision-making approach that balances the competing goals of minimal security system cost and maximum system performance. The methodology utilizes a network-based approach to facility security system design and analysis, which locates physical protection (detection, delay, and response) elements throughout a facility. These elements enable the facility owner to prevent attacks through deterrence and to defeat the adversary if he or she chooses to attack. The developed approach results in the ability for the facility operator to assess relative facility and/or infrastructure safety, and make decisions regarding how to optimally allocate resources for physical protection elements to balance cost and performance. A hypothetical example is discussed which demonstrates the usefulness of the developed methodology.

Citation

Hester, P.T. and Mahadevan, S. (2010), "A multicriteria approach to critical facility security system design", Lawrence, K.D. and Kleinman, G. (Ed.) Applications in Multicriteria Decision Making, Data Envelopment Analysis, and Finance (Applications of Management Science, Vol. 14), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 105-131. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0276-8976(2010)0000014009