Physical Security Assessments: Covert Entry vs Escorted Walkthrough

When businesses seek a third-party physical security assessment, they must decide on the most appropriate testing methodology to gauge their security posture. These methodologies may go by several names, but the concepts and approaches often fit into one of two categories: covert entry and escorted walkthroughs. Each has its own advantages and drawbacks, and the choice between the two largely depends on the organization's objectives, risk tolerance, and regulatory requirements.

Understanding Covert Entry

Covert entry is a realistic, high-impact technique where security consultants attempt to gain unauthorized access to a facility without prior knowledge of most employees beyond the company’s points of contact who have granted approval of the engagement. This method mirrors real-world attack scenarios and can involve social engineering and physical security exploitation techniques such as:

• Tailgating (following employees through secure doors)
• Badge cloning (using RFID or NFC technologies to copy credentials)
• Pretexting (impersonating a delivery driver, vendor, or authority figure)
• Lockpicking or bypassing access controls
• Exploiting misplaced or unsecured sensitive documents and hardware

Pros of Covert Entry:

1. Realistic Threat Simulation: This method mimics actual attack scenarios, revealing vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors.
2. Unfiltered Security Posture Evaluation: Since most employees are unaware of the test, their natural behavior is assessed without bias.
3. Clear Weakness Identification: It highlights gaps in access controls, employee awareness, and physical security measures.

Cons of Covert Entry:

1. Higher Risk of Disruption: If a consultant is caught, employees may react unpredictably, potentially escalating the situation.
2. Potential for Legal or Ethical Concerns: Organizations must carefully scope the engagement to ensure it aligns with legal and ethical boundaries.
3. Resource Intensive: Requires skilled consultants with specialized knowledge in bypass techniques and may require more preparation, possibly leading to higher costs compared to escorted walkthroughs.

Understanding Escorted Walkthroughs

An escorted walkthrough is a controlled physical assessment where consultants are given access to a facility under supervision. The assessment focuses on evaluating security controls, identifying vulnerabilities, and assessing employee compliance with security policies.

Pros of Escorted Walkthroughs:

1. Lower Risk: Since the consultants are escorted, there is no potential for employee panic or legal issues.
2. Collaborative Learning Opportunity: Organizations can use the assessment as an educational exercise for employees and security personnel.
3. Compliance-Friendly: Some industries have strict compliance and regulatory requirements that discourage covert tests.
4. Efficiency in Identifying Issues: Consultants can methodically evaluate security measures without the challenge of getting past barriers and without the risk of the engagement ending early because the consultant was stopped at entry.
5. Less Resource Intensive: From an assessor's perspective, this approach requires fewer resources and preparation, potentially resulting in lower costs.

Cons of Escorted Walkthroughs:

1. Less Realistic: Employees aren’t being tested, so how they will react to a covert entry attack is unknown.
2. Limited in Scope: It does not test many real-world weaknesses such as tailgating or employee response to unauthorized personnel.
3. Potential Bias: Security teams might intentionally tighten their protocols during the walkthrough, leading to an overly optimistic assessment.

Choosing the Right Physical Security Assessment Approach for Your Business

When to Choose Covert Entry:

• If you want to assess real-world attack vulnerabilities with minimal bias.
• If you suspect weaknesses in employee security awareness, badge policies, or access controls.
• If you need a comprehensive red team engagement to test physical security alongside technical and human elements.
• If you have documented policies and procedures in place about how employees should interact with a suspected malicious actor, and the employees have been trained on these policies and procedures.

When to Choose an Escorted Walkthrough:

• If your industry has strict compliance requirements that limit unauthorized testing.
• If you are new to physical security assessments and want a structured, less disruptive approach.
• If you are looking to train and educate employees while identifying security gaps in a controlled environment.

Final Thoughts

Both covert entry and escorted walkthroughs serve a valuable purpose in assessing an organization's physical security posture. Businesses must weigh the risks and benefits of each approach based on their specific security goals, industry requirements, and internal risk tolerance. A well-planned physical security assessment can provide valuable insights into an organization's vulnerabilities, ensuring that employees and security controls are prepared for real-world threats.

Whether opting for a high-stakes covert entry or a structured escorted walkthrough, organizations should view these assessments as opportunities to strengthen their defenses against evolving security threats.

Compass has extensive experience conducting a wide range of physical security assessments tailored to your organization's needs. Our team of experts can help identify security gaps, educate employees, and enhance your overall security posture. Whether you're looking for a realistic covert entry test or a structured escorted walkthrough, we can provide the right solution to meet your objectives.

Contact us today to learn how we can help safeguard your organization against physical security threats.