What type of physical security activity aims to create barriers that delay or prevent intruders?

The focus on creating barriers that delay or prevent intruders falls squarely within the physical security practices designed to protect assets and individuals. The concept of obstacles and prevention encompasses a range of measures, such as fences, walls, gates, and security gates that physically deter unauthorized access. These barriers are strategically implemented to enhance the overall security posture by making unauthorized entry more challenging, thus providing a crucial line of defense against potential intrusion.

Obstacles contribute not only to physical deterrence but also to psychological deterrence, as visible security measures can discourage potential intruders simply by their presence. In essence, the primary goal of this activity is to provide sufficient time for security personnel to respond in the event of an attempted breach and to limit access to protected resources.

The other options, while relevant to various aspects of security management, do not directly address the specific goal of creating barriers. Threat assessment focuses on identifying and evaluating potential risks, while surveillance and notification deal with monitoring environments and alerting responsible parties to unauthorized actions. Data security specifically targets the protection of information and systems rather than physical access control measures. Therefore, it is the physical security activity of obstacles and prevention that aligns best with the aim of deterring intruders through the establishment of physical barriers.