Most organisations today recognise the importance of penetration testing for their IT systems testing for weak passwords, insecure endpoints, or exploitable software. But when it comes to the physical workplace, too many businesses assume a swipe card or fob is enough.

The reality? Physical penetration testing where security specialists simulate break-ins or tailgating attempts is just as important as digital pen testing. And it routinely uncovers major weaknesses.

ResiKEY built on HID Global’s trusted identity infrastructure, is designed to help organisations turn those findings into action, closing the physical access loopholes that traditional card systems leave wide open.

Why Physical Penetration Testing Matters

Commercial buildings and corporate offices are prime targets. Pen testers often expose vulnerabilities such as:

• Lost or cloned cards: Attackers copy or steal plastic credentials with ease.

• Tailgating: Unauthorised individuals follow legitimate users through doors.

• Unreturned access: Former employees or contractors retain valid credentials.

• Inconsistent processes: Access logs don’t integrate with IT systems, leaving blind spots in compliance.

• The results are eye opening: organisations that pride themselves on airtight cybersecurity often discover that the front door is their weakest link.

The Role of Wallet Credentials in Securing the Perimeter

This is where ResiKEY comes into play. By replacing plastic credentials with wallet based access cards, organisations can address many of the weaknesses that physical penetration testing uncovers:

• No more cloning: Wallet credentials are encrypted and bound to the device’s secure element, making duplication impossible.

• Biometric protection: Access isn’t just about having the card it requires Face ID, Touch ID, or a PIN.

• Instant revocation: Lost or stolen devices can be disabled remotely, closing gaps before they become exploits.

• Tighter integration: Access logs can be connected directly with cybersecurity frameworks, ensuring physical access is audited alongside IT systems.

ResiKEY + Pen Testing = A Closed Loop

Physical penetration testing provides a critical audit of your organisation’s weakest points. ResiKEY provides the solution layer to address them. Together, they form a closed security loop:

• Identify vulnerabilities: Pen testers attempt to bypass physical security controls.

• Plug the gaps with ResiKEY: Replace cloneable cards with wallet credentials, integrate with SSO, and ensure instant deprovisioning.

• Re-test and validate: Demonstrate measurable improvement in physical resilience and compliance.

• Beyond Access Control: Culture and Compliance

ResiKEY aligned with HID Global’s best practices in trusted identity, also helps foster a stronger security culture. Staff learn that their access is part of the organisation’s broader cybersecurity framework, not an afterthought. This makes penetration test results actionable, not just theoretical.

From a compliance perspective, integrating ResiKEY with standards like ISO 27001, SOC 2, or Essential Eight shows auditors that your physical security is aligned with your cyber strategy reducing both regulatory and reputational risks.

Final Thoughts

Physical penetration testing shines a light on vulnerabilities that traditional access systems can’t hide. But testing alone isn’t enough. Without the right tools to close the gaps, the risks remain.

ResiKEY powered by HID Global’s credential infrastructure, provides that missing layer transforming physical access from a soft target into a core pillar of your cybersecurity strategy.

When your next penetration test comes around, wouldn’t it be better if the weakest link was no longer the front door?