Which category best describes natural barriers?

• A. Administrative barrier
• B. Psychological barrier
• C. Natural barrier
• D. Technological barrier

Answer: (C)

Barriers in physical security are grouped by origin: administrative (policies and procedures), psychological (perceived deterrence), natural (landscape features), or technological (devices). A natural barrier describes obstacles that come from the environment itself, not from human design. Examples include mountains, rivers, cliffs, or dense swampy terrain that hinder or slow access. These features are inherent to the site and can’t be moved or easily altered like fences or alarms, so they are exploited in perimeter planning as passive protection. The other categories describe controls that rely on rules, human perception, or technology, not the landscape.