Physical Penetration testing is the new branch of cybersecurity where the physical security is measured, and its existing strength in an organization, firm, or lab is measured. Weaknesses are uncovered before cybercriminals do these exploitations. In this process of physical intrusion test, ways are revealed as to how real-world physical attacks led cybercriminals to get the opportunity to breach into physical systems by compromising physical barriers (such as cameras, locks, sensors, key cards, mantraps). In this chapter, you will learn about the different characteristics of physical security and protection measures.
More About Physical Penetration
Many of us believed that cybercriminals are bad guys who sit with their computer on (do some programming and use some malicious programs using some keystrokes) and remotely take access to the entire organization's system. But many such nefarious actors need physical access to data as well. Not every breach is possible without physically accessing a secured firm and then taking some sensitive data to continue the crack.
So, as a security analyst, you have to take a different approach to prevent such physical threats. A physical penetration test is done by creating an attack simulation performed by very well-trained security consultants in two ways:
- Active Physical Penetration Testing: The organization's security officials and other employees are not aware or informed about the test that is getting performed.
- Passive Physical Penetration Testing: The organization's security officials and other employees are made aware or informed about the test that is getting performed.
Stages of Physical Penetration Testing
- First, the security analyst should recognize physical security flaws in that environment (firms or organizations).
- Next, the security analyst needs to comprehend and identify the level of real-world hazards for any organization.
- Lastly, the security analyst has to help speak to the administrator and secure the recognized physical security flaws that have been detected.
Tools for Physical Penetration Testing
For performing useful physical security testing, security analysts need to use commercial tools, corporate (internal) tools, and manual test procedures to bypass any physical postures. Tools and techniques used are:
- Exploitation.
- Passive Reconnaissance.
- Active Reconnaissance (drones, onsite covert observation).
- Open Source Intelligence (OSINT).
- Vulnerability Identification.
The security needs to be designed in such a way that for compromising physical security. A wicked cybercriminal may need to trounce various perimeter security, intrusion alarms system, or motion detectors, or other sensor-based intrusion prevention system, as well as technical accessing mechanisms and elements like smart cards and proximity sensors, needs to be checked for accuracy and proper rules have to be set for every employee to preserve full physical security.
Reports of the Test
Once the security analyst does the physical penetration test, it is required to note down and point out the different issues and updates that need to be done properly. This report is then read and handled by the superiors of the security department.
