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Introduction to Electronic Safety and Security (ESS)

The Electronic Safety and Security Design Reference Manual (ESSDRM) is intended to educate and inform professionals engaged in the electronic safety and security (ESS) arena. Safety is protection against hazards; security is protection against threats. To be safe is to be protected, and to be secure is to be free from danger. Protection leads to a condition of being free from danger or threat, which ultimately reduces risks.

The ESSDRM discusses trends and expertise in security areas that apply to information and communications technology (ICT) systems and the integration of ESS systems.

IMPORTANT: The ESSDRM is not intended to be a stand-alone reference manual; therefore, the construction of a comprehensive ESS design requires reference to additional bodies of knowledge.

This manual presents a guideline for the design and deployment of ESS systems and should never be used in place of a legal opinion. An ESS designer should be familiar with the laws governing surveillance, legislation that is pending, and the requirements of the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). The ESS designer should seek multiple legal opinions and use these opinions and established standards, guidelines, and best practices to deploy an ESS system as part of the overall security master plan.

The security industry has standards, practices, and organizations dedicated to defining and refining those practices. In addition to the ESSDRM, BICSI® developed ANSI/BICSI 005-2013, Electronic Safety and Security (ESS) System Design and Implementation Best Practices. This reference manual provides information from the security and ICT industries so that professionals in both industries will have a common understanding of each other's roles in designing and implementing ESS systems.