Security Planning and Design: A Guide for Architects and Building Design Professionals. Edited by Joseph A. Demkin and the American Institute of Architects; published by John Wiley and Sons, 877/762-2974 (phone), www.wiley.com [1] (Web); 256 pages; $50.

Repercussions of the 9-11 attacks continue to ripple through the security world, including a rethinking of building designs to make high rises more attack-resistant. The American Institute of Architects has contributed to this change in mind-set by launching a series of initiatives to address security in building design. Security Planning and Design is an excellent addition to those initiatives.

Well-outlined and comprehensive, the book harnesses the expertise of knowledgeable security veterans. Various authors share their wisdom and experience on environmental and threat considerations, design concepts, protection technologies, and security practices. Filled with current, relevant information, the book clearly presents concepts, principles, and processes of various aspects of building security. Blast mitigation and protection from chemical, biological, and radiological agents are among the many topics discussed in the book. Particularly useful is a profile of available building security technologies.

The book ends with design examples demonstrating the application of security concepts to meet five different protection objectives. In addition to serving as a guide for architects and building design professionals, Security Planning and Design is a valuable resource for system integrators, facility managers, and building owners.

Reviewer: Jie Jay Chen, CPP, CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), is an alarm company qualified manager at Johnson Controls, Inc., in Simi Valley, California. He serves on ASIS International's Protecting Information Guideline Committee.