Physical Penetration Testing
On paper, your building might look secure
Access control systems, CCTV, visitor protocols all in place. Security audit done, no incidents reported. But what happens if someone just walks in?
Physical security is often the weakest link. If an intruder gets inside, they can bypass digital protections, access sensitive systems, and disappear without a trace.
That’s where Toro comes in. We don’t tick boxes – we test reality. Our physical penetration tests simulate hostile behaviour to expose real-world vulnerabilities, not just theoretical ones.
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What is Physical Penetration Testing?
Physical penetration testing is a safe, authorised way to test whether someone could gain unauthorised access to your building and get the right level of assurance your security is, or is not, fit-for-purpose. We take on the role of an intruder, using the same techniques someone with hostile intentions might use. Our aim is to get in, stay undetected, and assess what could go wrong if it were for real.
This might involve:
- Tailgating into secure areas behind employees
- Access control card cloning to unlock doors
- Pretending to be a delivery driver or contractor
- Avoiding security cameras or patrols
- Plugging in rogue devices or removing assets
Unlike a traditional audit, we don’t just look at policies we actively try to bypass your controls. Then we show you exactly how we did it and what you can do about it. Everything is done legally, ethically, and with full sign-off. We won’t disrupt your business or damage property. Our job is to show you what an intruder could do, so you can make sure it never actually happens.
Managed Security & Consultancy
Why Toro
Toro was founded on the belief of thinking like an attacker.
We’ve been delivering physical penetration tests for over a decade. Our founder helped design one of the UK’s first frameworks that blends cyber, physical, and social attack methods into a single approach. That experience runs deep in everything we do.
Why clients trust us:
- We’ve successfully tested over 100 secure sites, including data centres, critical infrastructure, and high-security government buildings.
- Our team includes ethical hackers, security consultants, behavioural experts, and ex-military professionals.
- We know how to operate with precision and discretion, even in highly regulated environments.
- We tailor every test to the unique risks and realities of your organisation.
In short, we know how attackers operate and we use that knowledge to help you stay ahead of them.
Why do a Physical Penetration test?
It’s easy to overlook physical security. But it’s often where things go wrong.
An intruder who gets inside your building might:
- Steal laptops, documents, or access cards
- Plug a rogue device into your network
- Eavesdrop on confidential meetings
- Access restricted systems or data
- Leave no trace they were ever there
A physical penetration test lets you see where your real risks are not in a spreadsheet, but on your actual premises.
It shows you whether:
- Staff challenge people who don’t belong
- Security systems are working the way you think they are
- Doors, locks, and access controls hold up under pressure
- Someone could slip through the cracks unnoticed
This is about more than compliance. It’s about being confident that if someone tries something, your team and your defences are ready.
Managed Security & Consultancy
People focussed
At Toro, people are at the core of everything we do – our team, our clients, and the partners we collaborate with.
We prioritise building trusted relationships, delivering consistently high standards, and providing tailored support that reflects the unique needs of every client.
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How the process works
Every physical penetration test follows a structured and controlled process to ensure clarity, safety and real-world value.
The process is rigorous, discreet and designed to reflect how real intrusions happen giving you a true picture of your exposure.
Planning and scope
We start by defining the scope in a Project Initiation Meeting. This includes agreeing the objectives (or ‘flags’), attack vectors, legal boundaries, in-scope areas, and how we’ll communicate throughout the test. We also prepare engagement letters, sanitised dummy devices and schedule tasks to ensure readiness.
Intelligence and testing
Using open-source intelligence (OSINT) and hostile reconnaissance, we identify real-world vulnerabilities in and around your site. Our team then carries out the agreed physical tests over several days using realistic intrusion tactics. All actions are documented, logged and reviewed.
Reporting and recommendations
After the test, we provide a detailed report. It includes what we did, what we found and clear, actionable advice on how to improve your physical security. We also share supporting evidence, insights and a roadmap for remediation. We can also return and show you how we were able to breach your controls so you can learn first hand how to prevent an attack.
Physical Penetration Testing FAQs
Every physical penetration test begins with a collaborative scoping process. We work closely with you to define objectives, constraints, timing and any no-go areas. Our goal is to balance realism with safety and discretion.
This depends on the engagement, but common methods include tailgating, social engineering, lockpicking, badge cloning, and covert surveillance. We replicate tactics that a real adversary might use, based on your threat profile.
No. All Toro engagements are designed to be non-destructive and low impact. We will never damage infrastructure, systems or property. Our team works within agreed limits and always respects your operational continuity.
Before testing begins, we secure formal authorisation and rules of engagement signed off by a senior stakeholder within your organisation. We also use real-time communication channels during the test to manage risk. All activity is documented and debriefed.
Yes. Toro regularly conducts multi-site physical penetration testing across offices, data centres, warehouses and secure facilities. We coordinate closely with your internal stakeholders to ensure alignment and minimise exposure.
You receive a comprehensive report that outlines how we gained access, what we observed, and what we recommend. Reports are written clearly for both technical and non-technical audiences. We also provide an executive summary and a remediation roadmap.
This depends on your risk profile and environment. For most organisations, annual or bi-annual testing is appropriate. However, significant changes in office layout, security systems or staff behaviour may warrant more frequent assessments.
In most cases, no. That is part of what makes the test realistic. However, we always work with authorised stakeholders behind the scenes to ensure safety and control.
Yes. Physical penetration testing is valuable for organisations of all sizes. Whether you are a growing SME or a large enterprise, the risk of unauthorised access is very real and testing it is a smart move.
Managed Security & Consultancy
Ready to see your physical security through an attacker’s eyes?
You cannot fix what you cannot see. Toro’s physical penetration testing services give you clear, practical insight into how someone could access your premises and the steps you can take to stop them.
We help you build confidence in your controls, train your staff to recognise suspicious behaviour and ensure your environments are as secure as they look.
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People focussed
At Toro, people are at the core of everything we do – our team, our clients, and the partners we collaborate with.
We prioritise building trusted relationships, delivering consistently high standards, and providing tailored support that reflects the unique needs of every client.
