Physical Security: Locks, Guards, and Clever Social Engineering
"Nothing is true. Everything is permitted. Physical access = game over."
🏰 The Problem: Physical Access Bypasses Everything
Physical access = game over. All your crypto is irrelevant when someone walks out with the server. Firewalls don't stop tailgating. Encryption doesn't stop USB keyloggers. Physical security is foundational—without it, everything else fails. FNORD—and all your cloud security means nothing when they steal your laptop from a café.
At Hack23, physical security adapts to reality: single-person Swedish company, home office environment, cloud-native infrastructure. No corporate office. No server rooms. No badge systems. Just devices that need protection and a workspace that needs security. Are you paranoid enough to encrypt everything? Because you should be.
Our Physical Security Policy demonstrates how systematic physical protection works in distributed environments—because cybersecurity consulting expertise includes understanding that cloud-native doesn't eliminate physical risk. Nothing is true—especially the myth that "it's all in the cloud" means physical security doesn't matter.
ILLUMINATION: Social engineering bypasses your firewall by walking through the door with a smile. In home office environments, social engineering means fake delivery drivers, shoulder surfing at cafes, and "borrowed" devices. Physical security requires physical vigilance—adapted for remote work reality. FNORD—the most sophisticated attack vector is a friendly person asking to borrow your charger while casually glancing at your screen. Are you paranoid enough yet?
🛡️ The Five Layers of Physical Security (Home Office Edition)
1. Perimeter (Residential)
Home building access control.
Residential locks, alarm system, security awareness. Deters casual intruders. Won't stop determined attackers but raises difficulty level.
Reality: You don't control residential perimeter like corporate office. Focus defense-in-depth on layers you do control.
2. Workspace (Dedicated Office)
Separated work area, door lock optional.
Dedicated home office workspace. Physical separation from living areas where practical. Minimize non-work traffic through office space.
Single-person company: More about creating security mindset than access control. Visitors rare—when present, escort mandatory.
3. Device Protection
Full disk encryption mandatory, cable locks optional.
All computing devices: AES-256 FDE per Cryptography Policy. Lock screens after 15 min idle. Strong passphrases (not PINs). Cable locks for stationary equipment in high-risk scenarios.
Cloud-native infrastructure means endpoints are the crown jewels. Encrypt everything. Lock everything. Trust nothing.
4. Media Security
External storage encrypted, secure disposal.
External hard drives: Full encryption required. USB drives: Encrypted for business data. Backup media: Secured in locked storage. Disposal: Secure wipe or physical destruction.
No tape backups in datacenter—just removable media that needs same protection as primary storage.
5. Environmental Controls
Fire, water, power protection.
Smoke detectors in workspace. Fire extinguisher accessible. Surge protectors for equipment. Climate awareness (avoid overheating). Power backup (UPS) for critical work sessions.
Home office means residential environmental protection. No HVAC monitoring or halon systems—just common sense fire safety.
📋 What Hack23 Actually Does
Our physical security is public: ISMS-PUBLIC Physical Security Policy
🔐 Device Encryption (100% Implemented)
Full Disk Encryption: AES-256 on all computing devices per Cryptography Policy
Mobile Devices: iOS/Android native encryption enabled, remote wipe capability configured
External Storage: Encrypted external drives (VeraCrypt/BitLocker) for business data
Lock Screens: 15-minute idle timeout, strong passphrase mandatory
🏠 Workspace Security (Home Office)
Dedicated Office: Separated workspace with door (lockable where practical)
Wi-Fi Security: WPA3 encryption, strong password, SSID hidden, guest network separated
Smart Devices: IoT on separate VLAN where possible, default credentials changed, regular updates
Visitor Protocol: Rare visitors escorted, screens locked before visitor entry
🗑️ Secure Disposal
Hard Drives: Secure wipe (DBAN/equivalent) or physical destruction before disposal
Documents: Shredding for sensitive paper documents (minimal—mostly digital)
Devices: Factory reset after secure wipe, remove all business data
USB Drives: Secure format and physical destruction for high-sensitivity media
⚠️ Environmental Protection
Fire Safety: Smoke detectors operational, fire extinguisher accessible
Power Protection: Surge protectors for all equipment, UPS for critical sessions
Climate: Equipment ventilation, avoid overheating, no liquid near devices
Backups: Encrypted external backups stored securely, AWS Backup for cloud resources
Organizational Context:
- 🏢 Single-Person Company: CEO/Founder only employee, no staff access control needed
- ☁️ Cloud-Native: No physical servers, no datacenter, no server room security
- 🏠 Home Office: Residential environment, adapted physical security controls
- 📱 Device-Centric: Endpoints are the attack surface—encrypt everything
META-ILLUMINATION: Perfect physical security is impossible in home environments. Systematic physical security is mandatory. The difference is honest implementation adapted to reality vs. copying corporate datacenter policies. We do former—device encryption 100%, workspace separation practical, social engineering awareness operational.
🎯 Conclusion: Guard the Physical (Even From Home)
Physical access = game over. Lock screens. Encrypt devices. Secure workspace. Layer security from residential perimeter to device encryption. Or find out that your impenetrable cloud infrastructure was bypassed by someone stealing your laptop from a café. FNORD—the weakest link is always the meatbag carrying the encrypted device.
Home office physical security reality (for psychonauts navigating Chapel Perilous):
- ✅ Device Encryption: 100% implemented—AES-256 FDE on all devices (because paranoia is a feature, not a bug)
- ✅ Lock Screens: 15-min timeout mandatory, strong passphrases enforced (your password is not "password123", right?)
- ✅ Wi-Fi Security: WPA3 encryption, separate guest network, IoT segmentation (because your smart fridge shouldn't access your secrets)
- ✅ Secure Disposal: Wipe or destroy—no exceptions for retired devices (degaussing is therapeutic)
- ⚠️ Social Engineering: Awareness training (self), visitor protocols operational (trust nobody, verify everything)
Cloud-native doesn't eliminate physical risk—it concentrates it on endpoints. Our physical security policy demonstrates how systematic protection adapts to distributed work environments while maintaining security excellence. Are you paranoid enough to never leave your laptop unattended? Good. That's the right level of paranoia.
All hail Eris! All hail Discordia!
"Think for yourself, schmuck! Question everything—especially strangers offering to help with your laptop at Starbucks. Nothing is true. Everything is permitted. Your unencrypted device permits EVERYTHING."
🍎 23 FNORD 5
— Hagbard Celine, Captain of the Leif Erikson
P.S. You are now in Chapel Perilous. Your physical security is either systematic or theatrical. Both require effort. Only one provides actual protection. Nothing is true—except the theft report you'll file if you don't encrypt that device. Are you paranoid enough? FNORD.