What is 'hardening' in physical security design?

• A. Strengthening physical assets and barriers to resist forced entry.
• B. Installing more cameras.
• C. Hiring more guards.
• D. Encrypting data on the network.

Answer: (A)

Hardening in physical security design means making facilities and assets more resistant to tampering and intrusion by strengthening the actual physical barriers and structures. It focuses on reinforcing doors and frames, windows, walls, fences, and enclosures, adding robust hardware, secure anchoring, and systems that deter or withstand forced entry or tampering. The goal is to raise the effort, time, and risk an attacker faces, making breaches significantly harder to accomplish.

That’s why strengthening physical assets and barriers to resist forced entry is the best description. Other options touch on detection (more cameras), deterrence or response (hiring more guards), or cyber protection (encrypting network data), but they do not describe making the physical structure itself harder to breach.