In certain situations, CPNI approved fencing may be favoured, or required, to protect high-value assets – particularly if the facility is storing government property.
In this post, we aim to explore what CPNI approval means for your data centre and what solutions are available to you and your project.
Read on to find out more…
What is CPNI Rated Fencing?
CPNI, which stands for Centre of Protection of National Infrastructure, is the government authority for protective security advice to the UK national infrastructure. Their role is to protect national security by helping to reduce the vulnerability of the national infrastructure to terrorism and other threats. Source.
A CPNI rated fence is a perimeter security fencing system that has been independently tested to a strict set of guidelines, successfully passing several key requirements. Due to the nature of this certification, the ratings for CPNI approval are purposely kept under wraps. If you would like to find out more information on CPNI Testing, please contact CPNI directly.
Why CPNI Rated Fencing?
Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) and utility sites are hugely important to the economy and a security breach could cause widespread damage to the population, with significant implications on public safety.
It is for that reason, that security fencing must offer the highest level of protection from risks including, theft, vandalism and terrorism.
Whilst testing for CPNI rated fencing is deliberately kept ambiguous, this fencing will have sustained attacks using a range of tools, including professional power tools, to ensure that it can withstand attacks of a profound nature.
CPNI Fence PROTECTION Levels
A fence – or any other solution that proves resistance to a forcible attack – can be awarded a CPNI PROTECTION Level. This is calculated based on the attacker’s anticipated skill level and how long a product can remain resistant under attack.
This is based on the assumption that the attacker’s aim is to beat and bypass the product and penetrate site security, as opposed to covert attacks that leave no visible sign of entry.
Terrorist attacks, for example, openly seek attention in order to raise the profile of their campaign or agenda, which is why CPNI testing reflects this type of security breach.
CPNI grading is as follows: CLASS1, CLASS 2, CLASS 3, CLASS 4, with CLASS 4 PROTECTION offering the highest level of protection.
These grades are established by CPNI.
Security Considerations When Specifying CPNI Rated Fencing
When protecting sites of critical national infrastructure, your security plan should adopt a ‘layered approach’, beginning with the outer perimeter to the data centre itself. The outer ‘layer’ of security should create both a physical barrier and one that prevents unauthorised access.
At Barkers Fencing, CNI fencing products include:
StronGuard™ and StronGuard™RCS*
* StronGuard™RCS is a variant of StronGuard, but with HVM fittings. This will stop a 7.5-tonne vehicle at 30mph – ideal if you want a discreet HVM and intruder resistance in one.
Conclusion
If you are unsure whether your site requires CPNI rated fencing, you can speak to an expert today, who will assess your unique situation and provide advice on what the best solution is for your needs.
At Barkers Fencing, we offer a range of high-security CPNI approved perimeter fencing, all manufactured to meet stringent security requirements at CNI sites. Contact CPNI for details or ask our expert team today to learn more.
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Russell Ridgway
Russell’s security career began in 2006 when Barkers were tasked to develop a highly secure fence to prevent security breaches at a high profile mine in Papua New Guinea.
At the time Russell was managing Barkers Fastener division, playing a pivotal role in the development of StronGuard. Due to the success of StronGuard, Russell became Business Development Director for our high security products.