Physical Social Engineering
Can someone walk right in?
On-site attempts to gain unauthorized access through tailgating, impersonation, and manipulation of employees.
Overview
Digital defenses mean nothing if someone can walk through your front door. Physical Social Engineering tests whether attackers can gain unauthorized access to your facilities through tailgating, impersonation, or manipulation. We test the policies, technology, and—most importantly—the people who control access to your physical environment.
What We Test
Our physical social engineering engagements cover these key areas:
Tailgating and piggybacking resistance at entry points
Badge checking and visitor verification procedures
Response to impersonation of vendors, contractors, and employees
Handling of pretexted physical access requests
Sensitive area access controls beyond the lobby
Clean desk policy and physical document security
Our Approach
Physical social engineering requires operators who can think on their feet in face-to-face encounters. Our team has experience in physical security testing across corporate offices, data centers, healthcare facilities, and manufacturing plants.
Site Reconnaissance
Observe the facility to understand access points, traffic patterns, badge systems, and employee behaviors. Note when doors are propped open, which entrances are monitored, and how visitors are handled.
Pretext Development
Create personas appropriate for your environment: IT contractor, delivery driver, vendor, new employee, maintenance worker, or auditor. Prepare supporting materials—fake badges, work orders, branded clothing.
Access Attempts
Attempt to gain unauthorized access using various techniques: tailgating through secured doors, asking employees to hold doors, claiming forgotten badges, or presenting as expected visitors.
Internal Navigation
Once inside, test internal controls. Can we access server rooms? Executive offices? Can we plug devices into the network? Are documents left on desks or printers?
Device Deployment
With authorization, we may deploy test devices—USB drops, rogue wireless access points, or network implants—to demonstrate what physical access enables.
Documentation
Photo and video documentation of access achieved, security gaps observed, and successful techniques. This provides evidence for remediation and training.
Common Findings
These are issues we frequently discover during physical social engineering engagements:
Tailgating success
Employees hold doors for people behind them without checking badges. Social pressure makes it awkward to ask for credentials.
Vendor impersonation works
A clipboard, safety vest, or vendor logo polo shirt provides enough credibility to access most facilities. Employees assume someone verified the visitor.
Visitor badges not checked
After signing in at reception, visitors move freely. Nobody verifies that visitors stay in authorized areas or are escorted as required.
Propped doors
Doors that should be secured are propped open for convenience—smoking breaks, deliveries, or employee shortcuts.
Clean desk failures
Sensitive documents left on desks overnight. Passwords on sticky notes. Unlocked computers. Physical access reveals information security failures.
Common Questions
What if we get caught?
Getting caught is a success—it means your controls worked. We carry authorization letters and your security team's contact information. If challenged, we can reveal the test or continue the scenario, depending on your Rules of Engagement.
Will you break any laws?
No. We operate under written authorization from facility owners and stay within legal boundaries. We don't pick locks, break windows, or use force. We test human and procedural controls, not physical security barriers.
Can you test our data center?
Yes, if you authorize it. Data center testing is particularly valuable—it tests the layered physical security that protects your most critical assets. We've tested data centers, server rooms, and secure areas across many industries.
Do you plant devices on our network?
With explicit authorization, yes. Devices like wireless access points or network implants demonstrate the risk of physical access. All devices are tracked and removed after the engagement. We never leave unauthorized equipment behind.
Other Social Engineering Options
Phishing Campaigns
Realistic email phishing simulations that test employee recognition of malicious messages, credential harvesting, and malware delivery attempts.
Vishing (Voice Phishing)
Phone-based social engineering to test susceptibility to pretexting, credential disclosure, and unauthorized information sharing.
SMS Phishing
Text message-based attacks testing employee response to malicious links and credential requests via mobile devices.
Pretexting Scenarios
Complex social engineering scenarios combining multiple attack vectors with developed personas and backstories.
Ready to Strengthen Your Defenses?
Schedule a free consultation with our security experts to discuss your organization's needs.
Or call us directly at (445) 273-2873