Physical penetration testing exposes faults and vulnerabilities in physical controls (locks, barriers, cameras, or sensors). By doing so, you can fix them fast. Physical penetration testing also simulates real-world circumstances to show the impact that a malicious actor could have on your systems.
Suppose you are scheduling your next physical penetration test, so how can you prepare your company? Here are tips.
Tips on How to Prepare Your Company for the Physical Penetration Testing
1. Have a documented physical security policy
The first thing you need to do is to have a documented physical security policy. It should include how employees should protect their building, the location of access controls, and what they need to do in case of an emergency.
2. Have a documented network security policy
The next thing is to have a documented network security policy that conveys the acceptable use of your network. You can base it on your existing IT security policy or ISO 27001:2013. This will help the penetration tester to understand the scope of their testing and what they can do during the testing. It will also help them to focus on the most important areas for your company.
3. Keep your systems patched and updated
You must keep all of your systems patched and updated. If a system is not running a current operating system, it may be vulnerable to attacks. Windows XP, for example, has been patched so often that it simply can’t withstand an attack from modern-day malware that uses more sophisticated techniques for spreading across networks and compromising systems.
So now you need to upgrade your system as soon as possible, or at least have a plan if you want to continue using Windows XP despite its risks and vulnerabilities.
4. Disable AutoPlay on USB drives and CD-ROMs
It is also important that you disable AutoPlay on USB drives and CD-ROMs because this will prevent most malware from running automatically when you insert them into your system unless you specifically run them yourself (which most people don’t).
Also, disable autorun for all drives (not just USB drives) because even if you don’t use USB drives it’s possible for someone else who does bring one into your network and plug it in (for example, at an Internet cafe). That way any malware on it will run automatically and infect your network rather than having to go through the trouble of tricking someone into downloading and executing malware themselves (which most people won’t do).
5. Don’t let people bring their own devices (BYOD)
If you allow people to bring their own devices (BYOD), you will need to implement strict security policies. Otherwise, you may have security issues, such as unsecured Wi-Fi networks, weak passwords, and malware.
6. Use location tracking for laptops and smartphones
Another way to help prevent data leakage is to use location tracking for laptops and smartphones. You can use an application like Windows Mobile Device Center, which allows you to track your laptops and smartphones.
7. Perform regular backups of sensitive data
You must perform regular backups of sensitive data so that if you lose it, you can restore it. Also, remember that it is always a good idea to store sensitive data in a secured area because lost or stolen mobile devices may expose your company’s confidential information to hackers or malicious actors. If your company uses BYOD devices the best practice is the same as for mobile devices: make sure that mobile devices are encrypted and can be remotely wiped if they are lost or stolen.
8. Train employees on security awareness
Finally, train your employees on security awareness because this will help them understand the risks involved, which will lead them to start taking more precautions when using company systems. It could also show them how they can better protect their personal information from being stolen by malicious actors trying to break into their systems or steal information from their mobile devices.
Wrapping Up: Physical Penetration Testing
Physical penetration testing is a good way to find out what your company is vulnerable to. It will also help you to improve your security so that you can avoid being hacked. To prepare for a physical penetration test, you need to have a documented physical security policy, a documented network security policy, and keep your systems patched and updated.
