Antivirus software will not stop a physical attack. While many organisations now recognise the cyber risks created by phishing and malware, physical security is often overlooked. Without strong physical controls and employee awareness, your business remains exposed to serious threats.

This article explores five common physical security risks and how you can protect your organisation against them.

Physical security risk 1 tailgating

Most workplaces use some form of access control, such as locked doors or swipe card systems. These measures can be bypassed easily if attackers exploit everyday employee behaviour.

What is tailgating

Tailgating happens when an unauthorised person follows an authorised person into a secure area.

In busy offices, people often hold doors open for others without checking whether they are allowed to enter. Once one person has used their card or key, several others can follow without presenting any identification. This makes it simple for an attacker to enter a restricted space.

How to reduce tailgating risks

You can limit tailgating with a combination of technology and training.

If you are planning a new office or refurbishment, anti tailgating doors and turnstiles make it very difficult to follow someone through an entrance unnoticed. These can be costly, but they are highly effective.

You should also provide clear physical security guidance to employees. This can include

• Not holding doors for people they do not recognise
• Politely challenging anyone without a badge in secure areas
• Reporting suspected tailgating incidents to security or management

Training is less expensive than new infrastructure but relies on consistent awareness and enforcement.

Physical security risk 2 theft or exposure of documents

Offices often contain printed documents on desks, in meeting rooms or at printer stations. Sensitive information can easily be seen or taken by unauthorised people. Even if documents are not removed from the building, a visitor might still view data that should remain confidential.

How to prevent document theft and exposure

A clear desk policy is one of the most effective ways to protect sensitive information. Employees should store documents securely at the end of each day and avoid leaving papers unattended during meetings or breaks.

You should also

• Provide secure storage for sensitive files
• Ensure confidential waste is shredded or securely disposed of
• Limit access to printers that handle sensitive documents
• Restrict visitor access to areas where confidential information is processed

Strong access control reduces the chance of unauthorised individuals getting close to sensitive material in the first place.

Physical security risk 3 unaccounted visitors

If you do not know who is on your premises at any given time, you cannot maintain reliable physical security. Unaccounted visitors make investigations difficult and increase the risk of undetected breaches.

How to keep track of visitors

Access control is a starting point, but you also need a clear visitor management process. This should include

• Providing visitor passes that are visibly different from staff IDs
• Requiring all visitors to register at reception or via a digital sign in system
• Ensuring visitors are escorted in secure areas where appropriate
• Maintaining logs of arrival and departure times

You also need to ensure employees are not sharing access cards or bypassing check in processes for convenience.

Physical security risk 4 stolen or shared identification

Access control systems only work when each person uses their own credentials. If employees share cards, leave badges unattended or lend them to colleagues, it becomes impossible to know who actually accessed a space.

Educating employees about ID security

Employees should understand that ID cards and access devices are security controls, not just convenience items. You should communicate and enforce rules such as

• Never sharing or lending ID cards or access tokens
• Reporting lost or stolen IDs immediately
• Wearing IDs visibly in secure areas so unauthorised people are easier to spot

Regular reminders and visible management support help reinforce these expectations.

Physical security risk 5 social engineering

Social engineering is one of the most challenging physical security risks because it uses human behaviour rather than technical weaknesses. Attackers manipulate employees into bypassing controls or granting access.

Common physical social engineering tactics

One example is the coffee trick. An attacker approaches a secure door carrying two cups of coffee, appearing to have their hands full. Out of politeness, an employee opens the door and lets them in without asking for identification.

Other tactics include impersonating delivery drivers, contractors or visitors, using convincing stories and urgency to persuade staff to bend the rules.

Training staff to combat social engineering

There is no single control that stops all social engineering attacks. Instead, organisations need a blend of risk assessment, policy and training.

Key steps include

• Assessing how someone could bypass your current physical controls
• Providing examples of social engineering techniques relevant to your environment
• Encouraging employees to verify identities and question unusual requests
• Creating a culture where it is acceptable to challenge individuals politely and report suspicious behaviour

Turning your people into a physical security asset

Physical barriers and technical controls are important, but they are not enough on their own. Your employees are often the first and last line of defence against physical security threats.

Raising awareness about physical security and encouraging staff to play an active role in protecting the workplace will significantly improve your overall security posture.

Strengthen physical security awareness with usecure

usecure helps organisations measure, reduce and monitor human cyber risk, including physical security behaviour. You can assess what employees currently know, deliver engaging training and track improvements over time across core security topics.

Explore usecure video and interactive security awareness training today and see how you can build a stronger security culture that covers both digital and physical risks.

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