Physical Security Fundamentals

IntermediateFree5 modules · 15 lessons

About this course

A programme design course for physical security at organisational scale: why physical security remains required even for a cloud based organisation, badge and access control as the primary entry mechanism, the tailgating failure and how culture and physical design reduce it, visitor management as a distinct discipline, clean desk policy and device security within the physical space, the elevated tier of protection a server room or equipment closet warrants, physical security incident response, the evidence an auditor expects, and what the programme looks like for a distributed or remote-first organisation.

What you'll learn

Physical Security in a Cloud First Organisation

Why Physical Security Remains a Required Control Even When Everything Runs in the Cloud
What a Compromised Physical Workspace Actually Exposes
The Shape of a Physical Security Programme

Access Control and the Tailgating Problem

Badge and Access Control Systems as the Primary Entry Control
Tailgating: The Specific and Common Failure Mode
Culture and Physical Design Choices That Reduce Tailgating Beyond the Badge System

Visitors, Clean Desks, and Everyday Device Security

Visitor Management as a Distinct Process From Employee Access
The Clean Desk Policy and Why It Is Not About Tidiness
Device Security in the Physical Space

01Physical Security in a Cloud First Organisation3 lessons

Why Physical Security Remains a Required Control Even When Everything Runs in the Cloud
What a Compromised Physical Workspace Actually Exposes
The Shape of a Physical Security Programme

02Access Control and the Tailgating Problem3 lessons

Common questions

How much does Safeguard Academy cost?

Nothing. Every course, exam, and certificate on the catalog is free — including retakes. All you need is a free Safeguard account.

What are the prerequisites?

None. The flagship course, Safeguard Certified Practitioner, is a beginner-level course — basic familiarity with how software is built helps, but every exam question is answerable from the lessons themselves.

Higher Sensitivity Zones, Incident Response, and Audit Evidence

Server Rooms and Equipment Closets as a Distinct, Higher-Sensitivity Tier
Physical Security Incident Response: Lost Badges and Unauthorized Persons
The Evidence a Physical Security Programme Needs to Produce for an Auditor

Physical Security Beyond the Office

Physical Security for a Distributed or Remote-First Organisation
Building a Physical Security Programme End to End
Common Failure Patterns in Physical Security Programmes and How to Avoid Them

Badge and Access Control Systems as the Primary Entry Control

Tailgating: The Specific and Common Failure Mode

Culture and Physical Design Choices That Reduce Tailgating Beyond the Badge System

03Visitors, Clean Desks, and Everyday Device Security3 lessons

Visitor Management as a Distinct Process From Employee Access
The Clean Desk Policy and Why It Is Not About Tidiness
Device Security in the Physical Space

04Higher Sensitivity Zones, Incident Response, and Audit Evidence3 lessons

Server Rooms and Equipment Closets as a Distinct, Higher-Sensitivity Tier
Physical Security Incident Response: Lost Badges and Unauthorized Persons
The Evidence a Physical Security Programme Needs to Produce for an Auditor

05Physical Security Beyond the Office3 lessons

Physical Security for a Distributed or Remote-First Organisation
Building a Physical Security Programme End to End
Common Failure Patterns in Physical Security Programmes and How to Avoid Them

What happens if I fail the exam?

You can retake it after a 24-hour cooldown, as many times as you need. Retakes are free, and each attempt draws a fresh random set of questions.

How long is a certificate valid?

The Safeguard Certified Practitioner credential is valid for 24 months from issue. The expiry date is printed on the certificate and shown live on its public verification page. Renewing means passing the current exam again.