Physical and cybersecurity exist on a continuum, not separate domains. Attackers who gain physical access bypass many cyber controls. Effective security requires integration of physical and digital protections.
Badge systems control physical access but often integrate poorly with logical access controls. An employee’s badge gets disabled after termination, but their network accounts remain active for days. These gaps enable unauthorised access by former employees.
Security cameras capture activity but rarely integrate with security information systems. Correlation between physical access and network activity would reveal anomalies. Employees accessing buildings at 3 AM while also authenticating to systems from home suggests credential compromise.
Server room access controls prevent physical attacks against infrastructure. Attackers with physical access to servers can boot from USB drives, extract hard drives, or install hardware keyloggers. Strong physical security protects critical infrastructure from physical tampering. Comprehensive internal network penetration testing should consider physical security weaknesses that enable cyber attacks.
Visitor management creates security risks. Guests receive temporary badges and building access but often roam unsupervised. Attackers posing as delivery personnel or contractors gain physical access, then plug rogue devices into network ports or install USB keyloggers.
William Fieldhouse, Director of Aardwolf Security Ltd, explains: “Physical security penetration testing often succeeds more easily than network attacks. Unlocked doors, tailgating through secured entrances, and unattended equipment all enable physical access. From there, attackers can compromise systems that are well-protected from network attacks.”
Network jacks in public areas enable network access. Conference rooms, lobbies, and other semi-public spaces often have live network ports. Attackers plug in rogue access points or attack infrastructure directly from these connections.
Biometric access controls offer strong authentication but create privacy concerns. Fingerprint and facial recognition prevent badge sharing but require handling of sensitive biometric data. Proper implementation requires addressing both security and privacy requirements.
Environmental controls prevent equipment failure but need redundancy. HVAC, fire suppression, and power systems all protect infrastructure. Single points of failure in these systems create availability risks. Security monitoring should extend to environmental systems.
Waste disposal processes prevent information leakage. Discarded documents, old hard drives, and disposed equipment all leak information if not properly destroyed. Policies and procedures for secure disposal prevent information exposure through physical channels.
Integration platforms connect physical and logical security systems. When anomalies appear in both domains simultaneously, integrated systems flag potential incidents. This correlation identifies attacks that might go unnoticed examining either domain independently. Working with the best penetration testing company ensures assessment of physical-digital security integration.
Social engineering combines physical and digital attacks. Attackers tailgate into buildings, access unattended workstations, and steal credentials or plant malware. Physical security awareness must complement cybersecurity training.
