Cybersecurity for complex IT and OT environments
Senior specialists, supported by AI
A physical resilience assessment determines whether an unauthorised person can enter buildings, work areas, technical rooms or restricted zones and use that access to reach systems, information or critical processes. The assessment examines physical controls, procedures and human behaviour as one connected security layer.
DeepBlue conducts these assessments in close cooperation with Triangular Group Insights. TGI contributes specialist experience in physical penetration testing, insider risk and organisational readiness. DeepBlue retains technical control of the engagement and connects physical findings to cyber risk, including access to endpoints, network infrastructure, credentials, removable media and sensitive operational information.
The assessment can include reconnaissance, pretexting, tailgating, visitor procedures, badge controls, perimeter security and controlled attempts to reach protected assets. It also considers insider scenarios involving employees, contractors, suppliers or partners with legitimate access. The objective is to establish which attack paths remain viable and which physical, procedural or organisational controls fail under realistic conditions.
DeepBlue is a member of Cyberveilig Nederland
Physical access becomes a cyber risk when it provides a route to systems, credentials, network infrastructure or sensitive information. The assessment therefore continues beyond the entrance of a building. It determines which assets can be reached, which security zones can be crossed and whether physical access can be converted into digital or operational impact.
The test follows realistic scenarios based on the location, threat profile and critical processes. These can involve an unknown intruder, a convincing external supplier, a contractor with limited access or an insider who already understands the organisation. Reception procedures, visitor management, employee behaviour, badge use, key management and the separation between public, controlled and restricted areas are examined as part of one attack path.
Insider risk receives specific attention because legitimate access can bypass controls designed primarily to stop external threats. Employees, former employees, suppliers and partners may have knowledge, trust or permissions that allow them to approach sensitive assets without immediately attracting attention. The assessment examines whether governance, supervision, access reviews and escalation procedures can identify and restrict this behaviour.
Findings are assessed against the possible impact on data, systems and operational continuity. This includes access to unattended endpoints, network connections, technical rooms, documents, removable media and critical operational areas. The result is a factual view of how physical controls, human behaviour and organisational procedures perform under realistic conditions.
The assessment also provides input for wider organisational readiness. Physical security does not operate in isolation. Governance, personnel, digital integrity, operational continuity and situational awareness must function together when an organisation faces criminal activity, insider threats or hybrid forms of disruption.
A physical resilience assessment combines technical, procedural and behavioural testing. The exact scope depends on the locations, critical assets, access model and relevant threat scenarios. Activities are carried out under predefined rules of engagement, with clear safety boundaries and escalation procedures.
The assessment can focus on one location or cover multiple facilities, suppliers and operational sites. Digital and physical attack paths can also be combined where access to buildings, devices or network infrastructure may support a broader intrusion scenario. Findings are documented with evidence, impact and practical remediation measures.
The assessment examines whether external boundaries, entrances, reception areas and restricted zones prevent unauthorised access. This includes doors, gates, locks, badges, visitor procedures, key management and the separation between public and controlled areas. Attention is also given to access outside normal working hours and the use of secondary entrances.
Pretexting, impersonation, telephone approaches and other human-focused techniques are used to test whether procedures can be bypassed through trust, urgency or authority. Scenarios may involve suppliers, maintenance personnel, couriers or other plausible roles. The objective is to assess the effectiveness of verification, escalation and challenge procedures.
Insider scenarios examine how legitimate access, organisational knowledge or trusted relationships can be misused. Employees, contractors, suppliers and former personnel may retain physical access, credentials or knowledge of critical processes. The assessment focuses on access governance, supervision, segregation of duties and the ability to identify unusual behaviour.
A successful intrusion is only one part of the assessment. The response of reception staff, security personnel, IT, facility management and other stakeholders is also observed. Reporting lines, escalation, evidence handling and coordination are reviewed to determine whether suspicious activity is recognised, contained and investigated in time.
A security audit reviews whether documented controls, procedures and responsibilities are in place. A physical penetration test determines whether those measures can be bypassed under realistic conditions. The assessment produces technical and operational evidence of what an intruder or insider could reach after gaining access.
Duration depends on the number of locations, operating hours, access model and complexity of the scenario. A focused assessment of one location may take several days. Multi-site operations, insider scenarios or combined physical and cyber attack paths require additional preparation, execution and analysis.
Prior knowledge is normally limited to a small control group with authority over safety, legal boundaries and escalation. Reception, security personnel, facility management and employees may remain unaware when their response forms part of the assessment. The informed group and disclosure conditions are documented in the rules of engagement.
Yes, when written authorisation, scope, permitted techniques, safety limits and stop conditions are established in advance. High-risk actions, forced entry and interference with safety systems are excluded unless explicitly agreed and controlled. Local emergency procedures and relevant third parties are considered during planning.
The report documents the tested scenarios, access routes, affected security zones, bypassed controls and assets that could be reached. Evidence may include timestamps, photographs, observations and controlled artefacts. Findings include the potential operational impact and practical measures for physical security, procedures and staff response.
Yes. A combined assessment can examine whether physical access enables device compromise, network access, credential theft or entry into restricted technical environments. Physical techniques can also support a broader red team objective. The combined rules of engagement define how physical and digital activities may interact.
Technical analysis, field observations and sector-specific perspectives across IT, OT and cyber resilience.
Discuss a security requirement, active risk or complex IT or OT environment with one of our senior specialists. The initial conversation focuses on the technical context, operational constraints and the most appropriate course of action.
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