The security pyramid: a smarter approach to securing energy infrastructure

For security managers, protecting these high-stakes sites means staying ahead of growing threats, whether physical or cyber. The solution? A structured, layered strategy that brings together the right technologies, the right processes, and a clear understanding of the risks.

Here’s how the Security Pyramid helps you build resilience from the ground up.

1. Doors: The foundation and first line of defense

The base of any secure site starts with the right doors. In the energy sector, that means certified doors that meet strict standards for burglary resistance, fire protection, and insulation.

But choosing the right product is only part of the solution. Proper installation, fit-for-purpose hardware (like crash bars), and compliance with regulatory standards are equally critical. That’s why working with specialists matters - so every access point functions as a reliable and certified barrier against intrusion.

2. Smart locking: Robust, long-lasting protection at the heart of the pyramid

Locks are the core of the pyramid - and the key to managing physical access.

A wide range of locking solutions is needed to secure energy infrastructure effectively-including surface or mortise locks, padlocks with or without keys, and disk or piston cylinders. Because many energy facilities are in existing buildings, tailored solutions are often necessary, such as surface-mounted locks for older structures or ATEX-certified systems for high-risk environments like fuel storage areas. 

The real strength lies in combining locking solutions with advanced access control. It's essential to choose systems that offer both long-term durability and strong resistance to tampering or sabotage.

Smart technologies - like electromechanical or keyless locking - allow you to assign personalized, time-bound access to sensitive areas, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized entry or malicious activity.

3. Software: Taking control of the bigger picture 

Managing security across energy infrastructure requires more than hardware. It takes smart software that gives you oversight, control, and confidence.

That includes:

• Access control to monitor who enters and when
• Key management solutions, such as secure key cabinets, enhance traceability and strengthen your overall security.
• Visitor and subcontractor management ensures visibility and control over temporary access, with tools like pre-registration, badges, and profile-based permissions.
• Intrusion detection and CCTV improve threat response. Advanced technologies, such as behavioral analysis and facial recognition, enhance both prevention and intervention. 

At the top of the pyramid is ALWIN by ALCEA. This intuitive platform centralizes all your security data and systems in one place. With its user-friendly interface, your teams get a real-time overview of your entire operation, so they can act faster, respond smarter, and maintain full control across every site.

Build long-term resilience, not just protection

Securing energy infrastructure takes more than one solution, it takes a layered, scalable strategy. The Security Pyramid brings clarity to complexity, combining physical and digital tools into a single, adaptable approach. And with a centralized platform like ALWIN, you gain the visibility and control needed to ensure the continuity of your most critical assets.

With ALCEA, you get more than products. You get a partner who understands the stakes - and designs solutions to match them.

Have a project or a challenge in mind? Let’s build the right solution - together. Contact us today to get started.