Red teaming is an increasingly popular method for stress-testing an organization’s cyber defenses. While businesses rightfully focus on cyber security, they often overlook another critical aspect of data protection: physical security.
Physical security vulnerabilities pose just as significant a risk to companies, especially with the increasing convergence of physical and digital systems. Physical red teaming is a cutting-edge approach that simulates real-world attacks on physical security measures. The goal is to uncover potential weaknesses before malicious actors can exploit them.
In this guide, we’ll explain what physical red teaming is and why it’s important, as well as emerging trends in physical red teaming.
Physical red teaming simulates real-world attacks on physical buildings, assets, and systems. This process challenges ethical hackers to identify your physical security gaps and vulnerabilities.
During a red teaming exercise, security professionals attempt to breach physical security measures like locks, surveillance systems, access control, or personnel protocols. Corporations, government agencies, and other organizations with high-value assets often use this type of red teaming, but small businesses can also benefit from physical red teaming.
Implemented effectively, this strategy improves security posture, mitigates insider threats, and tests response readiness.
Modern businesses rely on a blend of digital and physical infrastructure, making it essential to safeguard both domains. Without strong physical security, attackers can gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, critical systems, and valuable assets.
Some of the most critical physical security risks include:
Neglecting these risks can lead to theft, data breaches, operational disruptions, and reputational damage. A proactive approach, including regular security assessments and physical red teaming, is necessary to identify and mitigate these threats.
Many organizations assume their security measures are effective until they’re put to the test. Red teaming challenges these assumptions, identifying gaps that standard security assessments might overlook.
Additionally, it plays a crucial role in improving incident response by allowing businesses to refine emergency protocols and train employees on recognizing and responding to security threats effectively.
Another advantage of physical red teaming is its ability to validate security investments. Organizations often deploy security tools like biometric scanners, keycard access systems, and surveillance cameras, but without real-world testing, they may not be as effective as intended. Red teaming assesses these systems to ensure they function properly under realistic attack scenarios.
It also helps mitigate insider threats, which can arise from employees, contractors, or vendors who may inadvertently or maliciously compromise security. Testing resilience against these threats helps to strengthen internal controls and policies.
As the lines between digital and physical security continue to blur, physical red teaming also plays a crucial role in strengthening cyber-physical security integration. Many modern security breaches involve both physical and cyber elements, making it essential for organizations to adopt a comprehensive approach to defense.
Gone are the days when simple badge scans and locked doors were enough to keep intruders out. Today, physical red teamers use advanced tools, social engineering tactics, and even drones to test how well organizations protect their assets.
While this is far from a comprehensive list, these trends are making waves in physical red teaming.
Organizations are increasingly recognizing the interconnectedness of physical and cybersecurity. Red teaming exercises now often encompass both domains to provide a comprehensive evaluation of an organization's defenses.
For instance, gaining physical access to critical infrastructure can lead to significant cyber vulnerabilities. This holistic approach ensures that both physical barriers and digital safeguards are robust and mutually reinforcing.
Smart locks, HVAC, lighting, and other devices save time and help organizations run more efficiently. Unfortunately, these devices often have security vulnerabilities due to outdated firmware, making them a prime target for hackers and, by extension, red teams.
Many red teams are now gaining unauthorized access to buildings by exploiting smart devices, especially smart locks. Identifying and exploiting these systems is becoming a major priority, given their connection to critical infrastructure.
Biometrics requires users to scan their fingerprints, faces, irises, and other unique markers to access secure physical spaces. However, this technology isn’t foolproof.
Red teams are increasingly testing and exploiting biometric access control systems for spoofing vulnerabilities, where attackers can pretend to be authorized users.
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) cards are a popular way to give employees access to secure areas. However, RFID, as well as other wireless protocols, are prime targets for hackers.
In fact, wireless and smart systems are often easier to compromise than traditional locks and keys, giving your red team plenty of avenues to access restricted areas.
Wearable technology allows red teamers to gain deeper access to physical spaces. For example, red teamers now use wearable cameras, augmented reality (AR) glasses, and real-time data feeds to document vulnerabilities and coordinate in real time.
It may sound like something out of a spy movie, but both red teams and real-world attackers use advanced wearables to improve the speed and damage potential of physical breaches.
The proliferation of drones has introduced new security challenges. Red teaming exercises are adapting by incorporating drone-based threat simulations, assessing an organization's ability to detect and respond to unauthorized drone activities. This includes evaluating the effectiveness of anti-drone technologies and protocols.
Not only that, but drones can detect your property’s entry points and blind spots. Don’t be surprised if your red team uses drones to surveil your property for weaknesses.
AI and ML are being utilized to enhance red teaming efforts. These technologies assist in automating the analysis of security data, identifying patterns, and predicting potential vulnerabilities in physical security systems.
This leads to more efficient and effective assessments, enabling organizations to proactively address weaknesses.
Rather than periodic assessments, there is a shift towards continuous red teaming practices. This approach involves regular, unannounced simulations that adapt to evolving threat landscapes, ensuring that security measures remain robust over time.
Continuous testing allows organizations to stay ahead of potential adversaries by promptly addressing emerging vulnerabilities.
Cyber threats are so prevalent that many organizations overlook the value of testing their physical spaces. Invest in physical red teaming to proactively fix vulnerabilities before attackers gain unauthorized access to restricted physical locations.
However, physical security is just one facet of cyber security. If your organization builds artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) models, they need regular testing against AI-driven attacks.
Get peace of mind with Mindgard. Our AI red teaming solution stress tests AI models to ensure user safety, prevent bias, and protect proprietary data. Schedule a quick demo today to see Mindgard in action.
An example of physical red teaming involves simulating an attack on a corporate data center. The red team might pose as contractors or delivery personnel to gain unauthorized access.
They may also attempt to enter restricted areas to access server rooms using tactics like tailgating, bypassing smart locks, and social engineering. Once inside, they install a rogue device on the network to simulate a breach or retrieve sensitive documents.
Organizations start by conducting a risk assessment and setting goals for the red team exercise. Many also establish rules of engagement (RoE) to prevent the red team from causing actual damage to the organization.
After the test, the team schedules a post-exercise debrief to create remediation plans and improve security.
It depends on your location, but physical red teams use a range of tools like:
