Probability models for access security system architectures

This paper presents probability models of access control security system architectures. Access control is the process of screening objects; for example, people, baggage, entering a secured area in order to detect and prevent entry by threats such as unauthorized personnel, firearms, explosives. A security system architecture consists of device technologies, as well as operational policies and procedures for utilizing the technologies. The probability models are developed based on Type I (a false alarm is given) and Type II (a threat is not detected) errors. The concept of controlled sampling, in which objects may take different paths through the system, is introduced. New architectures consisting of multiple devices and controlled sampling are proposed and analyzed. The results presented indicate that for specific threat levels, multiple-device systems can be identified which outperform single-device systems for certain error probability measures.