Effective lighting is more than a deterrent to crime. It is essential for the effective operation of closed-circuit television and other monitoring operations of security personnel. In selecting the most cost-effective lighting system for a particular site, security managers must carefully consider various elements in security lighting system and how they interrelate. The key elements in a lighting system are lamps, which produce the light; luminaries, which house the lamps; ballasts, which modify incoming voltage; maintenance, which involves keeping lighting systems functioning at their peak; and controls, which are the means by which lights are tuned on and off or dimmed. This article discusses each of these key elements of a lighting system and what factors in each of these elements must be considered by security managers in the selection of a lighting system; for example, for each of the types of lamps available on the market, its technology, benefits, and disadvantages are explained. 2 exhibits