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Securing national key points

National key points are by definition buildings, airports and strategic installations such as provincial legislatures and the Union Buildings that are considered worthy of tight security so as to prevent an act of damage or sabotage taking place. Some national key points are easier to secure than others.

Due to limited access at Koeberg Nuclear Power Station it is fairly easy to restrict and control the movement of people, whereas at OR Tambo International Airport the restriction and control of people movement is more of a challenge. Notwithstanding the fact that it is easy to control access at a national key point such as Koeberg, consideration needs to be given to what is being carried into or removed from such an installation. Acts of sabotage can be caused by disgruntled employees and sabotage can be caused as much by introducing foreign objects (bombs, loose bolts, etc,) as removing vital pieces of equipment or machinery that can cause failure on turbines and other critical devices.

The Government Sector Security Council was launched in November 2006 and its role is to co-ordinate, monitor and regulate security of national key points. National key points should constantly assess their vulnerability and the resultant necessary improvement in security should be made.

For this kind of purpose, Veridoc offers security X-ray scanning equipment such as the Adani range of personnel inspection scanners. The scanners can also be incorporated into a ‘secret trap’ system that can scan a person and if they are carrying or have hidden forbidden objects, they can be trapped in the cubicle where security personnel can make the necessary arrest.

The scanners make use of ultra-low dosages of radiation and the software that is used to view the images can be programmed so as to protect the person’s dignity and privacy. The use of these types of scanners ensures that all foreign objects being brought into or being removed from a national key point are detected and it aids the security management in maintaining the integrity of that national key point.

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