If you already have a solid pen testing strategy, you may regularly test web applications, internal and external network, and run phishing simulations to keep your staff sharp.
But have you considered how secure your physical premises are?
Consider this:
- Could a hacker tailgate an employee and walk right into a restricted area hosting your network devices?
- Could your staff fall for social engineering attempts and reveal passwords for privileged accounts?
These are the vulnerabilities that a physical pen test can reveal. It’s a frightening possibility, but discovering unauthorised access through a controlled, simulated test is better than facing a real-life breach.
In this blog, we’ll explore the methods used to assess physical security through penetration testing. Stay with us as we dive into the strategies and techniques of physical penetration testing to ensure your organisation is protected from all angles.
What is a physical access penetration test?
A physical access penetration test is when experts simulate real-world break-ins to test your organisation’s physical security. They inspect physical security controls such as locks, gates, surveillance systems, and observe how employees respond to unexpected security challenges.
The goal is to identify vulnerabilities and address them to prevent unauthorised access and keep your property safe.
24 methods used in a Physical Security Penetration test
When conducting a physical security penetration test of an office location, a penetration tester might assess the following aspects:
- Perimeter Security:
- Fencing and Gates: Evaluating the height, strength, and coverage of fences and gates around the property.
- Surveillance Cameras: Checking for the presence, positioning, and coverage of CCTV cameras.
- Security Guards: Assessing the presence, training, and routines of security personnel.
- Lighting: Ensuring adequate lighting to deter unauthorised access, especially at night.
- Access Control Points: Examining entry and exit points, including turnstiles, gates, and barriers for vulnerabilities.
- Building Entrances:
- Lock Mechanisms: Testing the strength and type of locks on doors and windows.
- Badge Readers and Keypads: Attempting to bypass or hack electronic access control systems.
- Visitor Management: Reviewing procedures for handling visitors, including sign-in protocols and visitor access cards.
- Tailgating: Assessing whether unauthorised individuals can follow employees into the building.
- Internal Security:
- Access to Restricted Areas: Checking the enforcement of access controls to sensitive areas like server rooms, HR offices, and financial records storage.
- Alarm Systems: Evaluating the presence and effectiveness of alarm systems for unauthorised access or tampering.
- Surveillance and Monitoring: Assessing internal CCTV coverage and monitoring practices.
- Employee Awareness: Testing employee adherence to security protocols through social engineering techniques like impersonation.
- Data Protection:
- Securing Workstations: Checking for unattended computers that are logged in, sensitive information left on desks, and proper screen lock policies.
- Document Disposal: Reviewing the practices for shredding and disposing of sensitive documents.
- Secure Storage: Ensuring that confidential documents and media are stored securely, such as in locked cabinets.
- Dumpster Diving: Examining the contents of rubbish bins to find sensitive information that may have been improperly discarded.
- Security Policy Compliance: Reviewing adherence to company security policies and identifying any gaps or weaknesses.
- Physical Security of IT Infrastructure:
- Server Rooms: Evaluating access controls, and backup power supplies.
- Networking Equipment: Checking the physical security procedures to access routers, data centers, switches, and other networking gear.
- Cable Management: Ensuring that network cables are secured and not easily accessible.
- Social Engineering Vulnerabilities:
- Public Information Research: Investigating publicly available information about the building, such as videos, office manager names, and historic floorplans to aid in infiltration.
- Impersonation: Using names found online to create convincing pretexts for gaining access.
- Passwords: Testing how likely employees are to give out sensitive information or allow unauthorised access by pretending to be someone else, including trying to trick them into revealing passwords for secure accounts.
- Your employees are tricked into giving their passwords by an IT consultant claiming to conduct a data protection audit?
- Someone from your management team allows an intruder to tailgate through the front office door?
These scenarios can be concerning, causing anxiety among staff or stirring up office politics. But the key lies in how these situations are handled. Instead of blaming individuals, see incidents as chances to learn and get your team involved in making the needed changes.
By encouraging participation and fostering a learning environment, you will help your team change their security habits. This approach enables them to adopt new practices, such as understanding social engineering attacks, so they can be more cautious about letting friendly strangers into the office.
The Report
When you engage a third-party company for a physical security penetration test, they will thoroughly assess various aspects of your security setup. After the test, they will document all findings in a technical report.
This report will cover every vulnerability and weakness identified, such as:
- Types of locks on doors and gates
- Valuable documents found
- Employee access protocols
- Results from social engineering attempts
This report forms the basis for an effective action plan to address security weaknesses. The assessment may reveal that employees are not questioning unfamiliar people entering the building. In this case, the plan could suggest updating staff training to address this issue.
Looking for Reliable Physical Security Penetration Testing Experts to Improve Your Security Posture at your Physical Locations?
If you have questions or need a reliable partner to conduct physical penetration tests, contact Equilibrium Security. We’re ready to help you safeguard your business with our top-rated CREST penetration testing services in the UK. Give us a call at 0121 663 0055 or drop us an email at enquiries@equilibrium-security.co.uk. Let’s secure your future together!
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