College security flaws
Security at the Faculty Building, hub of College academic management and workplace of the Rector, has been exposed as inadequate and ineffective in light of a Felix investigation.
Felix reporters were able to enter the `restricted' building on two separate occasions and were not challenged over their identity, whether they were in fact members of College or their purpose for entering Imperial's administrative headquarters.
Entry to the building is usually controlled by swipe card entry gates that allow access to a select group of College staff; these are adjacent to a manned security desk at the entrance of the modern four-storey building and are the main access points for all personnel entering and leaving the Faculty building.
Reporters were waved past the desk on entry and left to roam freely around the floors coming within feet of Sir Richard's office and mixing with employees at a nearby coffee bar.
Empty offices with thousands of pounds worth of equipment and confidential documents were all in potential reach of the reporters. After spending over 30 minutes in the building, Felix left and returned an hour later to be greeted by a different receptionist who also granted access without confirmation of prior appointments or identity.
Simon Davies, a first year physicist, told Felix: "If College can't keep the Rector secure, what hope is there for the student body?"
Samantha Perera, a second year medical student, said: "Personally I think far too much money is spent on security as Imperial College and the Rector are not high-risk terrorist targets. The money could be better spent on improving teaching facilities."
Concerned with such lapses in College security, Felix also attempted to gain access to restricted areas in the Sir Alexander Fleming Building (SAF) and Union offices. Once inside the SAF, we were able to tailgate a researcher into a restricted access area without being challenged. We subsequently had open access to research labs, some of which contained hazardous chemicals, as well as expensive microscopy equipment.
Similar breaches occurred in the Sabbatical offices, where no attention was paid as reporters passed the Union reception and into the unlocked vacant office of Deputy President (Education and Welfare) Sarah Khatib. Various valuables were left unattended in the room, in direct contravention to advice issued at the
start of term in light of recent hall thefts to make sure students keep their property secure and doors locked.
College told Felix: "It is vital that members of the College community do not allow people to tailgate when they enter a building, make sure doors are properly closed behind them and report any suspicious behaviour to security staff."
Responding to the Felix investigators entering the heart of Imperial management, College responded: "They were not challenged because they were known members of the College community and assumed to be there on legitimate business."
However, no such connections were made when Felix was admitted on two separate occasions by receptionists to the building, believing the reporters were not students and had prearranged appointments with members of the Faculty Building management staff.
College added: "It is important that staff and students should not confront anyone they believe to be acting suspiciously, but should contact security staff or the police immediately."
Chris Miles & Vitali Lazurenko
Felix's View:
Despite College focusing heavily on security concerns, notably October's dress code, this is the third lapse in security Felix has uncovered this year.
On most occasions we gained access to forbidden areas by simply tailgaiting others through resticted doors. Staff and students need to be aware of those around them and not hold doors open for people they don't know.
Even though we may not have accessed any highly classified areas, it still brings into question the security of this campus. Given a bit more time and effort, we are sure we could have gained access to even more restricted areas.
