How to perform a physical penetration test without getting arrested?

All answers to this question.

Don't forget to check for "unlocked" shipping docks. It's amazing how often the front is a fortress but the back door is propped open for a smoke break.

   Answered 2025-01-15 by Elizabeth Clark

• So true, Elizabeth. The "prop-and-smoke" is a classic vulnerability. It’s the easiest way into 80% of the warehouses I’ve audited in the last five years.

     Commented 2025-01-22 by Robert Anderson

Physical pentesting is 10% picking locks and 90% paperwork. You MUST have a "Letter of Authorization" (LOA) signed by a high-ranking executive, including their 24/7 contact info. This is your "Get Out of Jail Free" card. For tools, the "Under-the-Door" (UTD) tool is essential for lever-style handles; it’s fast and leaves no trace. I also recommend a "Flipper Zero" or an "HID Proxmark3" for cloning employee badges if you can get close enough. In a 2024 engagement, we bypassed a high-security door simply by using a canned air sprayer to trigger the REX (Request to Exit) sensor from the outside. It’s all about finding the path of least resistance while staying within the legal scope.

   Answered 2025-12-15 by Margaret Moore

Is social engineering (like tailgating or wearing a high-vis vest) generally more successful than trying to bypass physical locks in a modern office?

   Answered 2025-12-28 by William Taylor

• William, absolutely. People are the weakest link. Carrying a large box or two cups of coffee almost guarantees someone will hold the door open for you. A "Hi-Vis" vest and a clipboard make you invisible to most employees. In physical pentesting, blending in is far more effective than trying to sneak around. If you look like you belong there, nobody will question you as you walk right into the "restricted" server room.

     Commented 2025-01-05 by Richard Garcia