Professional Diploma in Surveillance and Access Control
This professional diploma gives you the tools and knowledge you need to manage security in a wide range of environments, including ports and terminals. You will learn physical security protocols, how to run electronic access control systems and how to identify and manage risks, preparing you to lead security teams and protect people and facilities.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this program gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The program is designed precisely for that.
What is the Professional Diploma in Surveillance and Access Control?
This professional diploma prepares you to design, operate and improve surveillance and access control systems for ports, terminals, warehouses, industrial sites, corporate buildings and other critical facilities. You will learn how human and electronic surveillance work together, how zones, credentials, biometrics, turnstiles and barriers are combined into an access architecture, how CCTV, thermal cameras, license plate recognition, intrusion sensors and video analytics are deployed and monitored from a control center, how guard posts, patrols, identity checks and incident procedures are organized, how access systems and the personal data they hold are protected against cyber threats, and how access control is integrated with evacuation, emergencies, audits and continuous improvement.
What sets this professional diploma apart: a systemic view of surveillance as a combination of people, technology, procedures and coordination; practical coverage of both system design and day-to-day guarding operations; attention to data protection, biometric data and the cybersecurity of connected devices; specific procedures for degraded situations such as loss of connectivity or camera failure; an in-depth structure of eight modules; and a final project in which you design a complete surveillance and access control system for a real or simulated facility.
Program highlights
- Surveillance fundamentals: protected assets, threats, risk and the roles of security personnel.
- Access control design: zoning, cards, biometrics, mobile credentials, multi-factor authentication and visitor control.
- CCTV and intrusion detection: camera selection, coverage design, perimeter sensors and control centers.
- Guarding procedures: patrols, identity checks, suspicious behavior, evidence preservation and reporting.
- Cybersecurity and data protection: securing controllers, cameras and networks and protecting biometric data.
- Final project: a surveillance and access control system with budget, implementation plan and indicators.
Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Surveillance and Access Control
8 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Fundamentals of surveillance, physical protection and access control
- 1.1. Fundamental concepts of surveillance, access control, physical protection, preventive security and facility management
- 1.2. Differences between human surveillance, electronic surveillance, remote monitoring and automated control of entries and exits
- 1.3. Identifying protected assets: people, buildings, infrastructure, goods, information and critical systems
- 1.4. Classifying threats: intrusion, theft, sabotage, fraud, violence, unauthorised access and credential tampering
- 1.5. The relationship between risk, vulnerability, exposure, criticality and impact on business continuity
- 1.6. Functions and responsibilities of security personnel, supervisors, operators, receptionists and facility managers
- 1.7. Building an integrated view of surveillance as a system made up of people, technology, procedures and coordination
- 1.8. Applicable private security and data protection regulations
Designing access control systems
- 2.1. Planning access for workers, visitors, suppliers, contractors, vehicles and goods
- 2.2. Classifying public, controlled, restricted, critical and high-security zones
- 2.3. Identification systems using cards, codes, biometrics, mobile credentials and multi-factor authentication
- 2.4. Designing checkpoints, turnstiles, barriers, airlocks, doors, reception desks and security screening points
- 2.5. Managing permanent, temporary, time-based, role-based and clearance-level permissions
- 2.6. Procedures for issuing, modifying, suspending, revoking and auditing credentials
- 2.7. Building access architectures that balance security, traceability, speed and user experience
- 2.8. Cards, biometrics and visitor control
Video surveillance, monitoring and intrusion detection
- 3.1. Fundamentals of video surveillance and selecting cameras according to environment, coverage, lighting and risk level
- 3.2. Fixed, PTZ, thermal, panoramic and smart cameras and license plate recognition systems
- 3.3. Designing visual coverage, positioning equipment, eliminating blind spots and protecting sensitive areas
- 3.4. Intrusion detection systems using perimeter sensors, volumetric sensors, contacts and technical alarms
- 3.5. Operating control centers with video walls, consoles, alarms, communications and event logging
- 3.6. Video analytics to detect loitering, abandoned objects, line crossing, crowding and abnormal behavior
- 3.7. Building surveillance systems capable of detecting, verifying, communicating and recording incidents in good time
- 3.8. Video analytics and artificial intelligence applied to surveillance
Surveillance operating procedures and incident response
- 4.1. Organizing guard posts, patrols, post orders, shift handovers, communications and service reports
- 4.2. Identity verification, visual inspection, document validation and control of personal belongings
- 4.3. Procedures for unauthorised access, invalid credentials, impersonation attempts and suspicious behavior
- 4.4. Responding to theft, damage, public disorder, medical emergencies and insider threats
- 4.5. Escalating incidents and communicating with supervisors, law enforcement and emergency services
- 4.6. Preserving the scene, conserving evidence, recording facts and writing reports
- 4.7. Building operational responses that are proportionate, safe, documented and in line with established procedures
- 4.8. Patrols, logs and communication with the control center
Technology security, data protection and cybersecurity of access systems
- 5.1. Technology architecture of access control, video surveillance, alarm and identity management platforms
- 5.2. Protecting servers, controllers, readers, cameras, sensors, networks and operator workstations
- 5.3. Managing users, passwords, roles, privileges, audit logs and segregation of duties
- 5.4. Protecting biometric data, images, access logs and other sensitive personal information
- 5.5. Risks of credential cloning, device tampering, sabotage, malware and unauthorised remote access
- 5.6. Backups, redundancy, maintenance, updates and recovery of systems after failures or attacks
- 5.7. Building trusted technology environments that guarantee confidentiality, integrity, availability and traceability
- 5.8. Security of network-connected systems
Emergency management, evacuation and continuity of protection
- 6.1. Integrating access control with emergency, evacuation, shelter-in-place and institutional response plans
- 6.2. Managing automatic door release, unlocking, evacuation routes and occupancy control in critical situations
- 6.3. Coordination in the event of fire, power failure, intrusion, threats, disturbances and medical emergencies
- 6.4. Continuity of surveillance through backup systems, alternative communications and redeployment of staff
- 6.5. Procedures for degraded facilities, loss of connectivity, camera failure or unavailable readers
- 6.6. Drills, tabletop exercises, review of response times and analysis of lessons learned
- 6.7. Building response capabilities that maintain protection, order and control during contingency scenarios
- 6.8. Coordination with law enforcement agencies
Audit, compliance and continuous improvement of access security
- 7.1. Regulatory framework applicable to surveillance, private security, data protection, CCTV and risk prevention
- 7.2. Audits of access, credentials, cameras, alarms, procedures, records and staff performance
- 7.3. Management indicators: denied access, incidents, response times, alarms, failures and patrol compliance
- 7.4. Incident investigation, root cause analysis, identification of gaps and definition of corrective actions
- 7.5. Assessing security, maintenance, technology and specialist service providers
- 7.6. Ongoing staff training in surveillance, customer service, communication, first aid and conflict management
- 7.7. Building continuous improvement systems that strengthen prevention, operational effectiveness and institutional compliance
- 7.8. Performance indicators for the surveillance service
Final Project
- 8.1. Defining the case study: a corporate building, port, terminal, warehouse, industrial site, educational campus or critical infrastructure
- 8.2. Diagnosing assets, access points, users, threats, vulnerabilities, technology and existing procedures
- 8.3. Designing the access control system with zoning, credentials, readers, barriers, permissions and traceability
- 8.4. Drawing up the plan for video surveillance, intrusion detection, the control center and operational response
- 8.5. Developing the plan for emergencies, cybersecurity, data protection, maintenance and service continuity
- 8.6. Writing the comprehensive technical report with timeline, budget, responsibilities, indicators and risk assessment
- 8.7. Budget and implementation plan for the proposed system
- 8.8. Presentation and defense of the final project with technical, operational, regulatory and strategic validation of the surveillance and access control system
Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Surveillance and Access Control
It is 800 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Professional Diploma in Surveillance and Access Control
Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Surveillance and Access Control
Questions about the Professional Diploma in Surveillance and Access Control
To protect people, property and information by controlling who enters facilities and restricted areas, detecting incidents early and responding to them in an organized way.
Roles such as security officer, access controller, control center operator and security supervisor in ports, terminals, logistics facilities, events, shopping centers, hospitals and corporate buildings.
No. Navalis Institute teaches the subject matter, but security officer licenses are issued by the competent national authority according to its own requirements, which may include specific training, medical fitness and background checks.
Card and biometric access systems, mobile credentials, multi-factor authentication, turnstiles and barriers, fixed, PTZ and thermal cameras, license plate recognition, intrusion sensors, video analytics and control centers.
Yes. One module covers protecting controllers, cameras and networks, managing users and privileges, protecting biometric data and images, and recovering systems after failures or attacks.
You choose a facility, such as a port, terminal or corporate building, diagnose its risks and design its access control, video surveillance, emergency and cybersecurity plan with budget and implementation plan.
Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with real case studies, recorded live sessions and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The professional diploma comprises 800 hours of study across 8 modules of 100 hours each and ends with a final project. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.
More programs in Ports and marinas
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at private and public security personnel, security supervisors and managers, managers of residential and commercial properties, event security staff, and students and professionals in the security field; completion of secondary education or equivalent, a basic vocational qualification in private security or professional experience in security is recommended. Working as a licensed security officer depends on the requirements set by the competent national authority.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera and microphone for live sessions and the project presentation.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrollmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enroll
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.