Outdated badge readers. Easily cloned credentials. Blind spots in who’s coming and going.
If these problems sound familiar, your physical security is overdue for an upgrade.
Even the sharpest cybersecurity strategy can be undone by weak access controls. And many organizations are still relying on badge or fob-based systems with known vulnerabilities.
Cloned credentials, tailgating, and standalone systems open the door—literally—to both physical intrusions and cyberattacks.
How Attackers Bypass Traditional Physical Security
Legacy access control systems are far too common. According to a 2024 industry study, over 60% of corporate buildings still use outdated 125kHz proximity cards. These credentials are shockingly easy to clone using equipment found online for under $100.
This means an attacker doesn’t need to hack your network. They just need to copy a badge and walk inside.
Tailgating—the act of an unauthorized person following someone with access into a building—remains the #1 cause of unauthorized physical entry into secured buildings. It’s surprisingly effective and alarmingly overlooked.
Worse, most traditional systems don’t log tailgating incidents or cloned card use. That means you might not even know a breach happened until it’s too late.
Modern Threats Targeting Badge & Keyless Entry Systems
Today’s attackers understand that physical access often leads to digital exploitation. In hybrid and remote-enabled environments, securing your physical perimeter isn’t just about protecting people—it’s about protecting data.
Recent stats show that physical access breaches contributed to 10% of cyber incidents in hybrid workplaces. An intruder doesn’t need a computer science degree to compromise a server—they just need to plug a device into an exposed port on your network.
Modern threats include:
- Badge cloning using off-the-shelf RFID copying tools
- Credential harvesting or loss from ex-employees
- Entry system tampering or bypass using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth vulnerabilities
- Social engineering to trick employees into permitting access
What Technologies Can Strengthen Physical Access Defenses?
Smart organizations are moving beyond standalone badge readers. The best access control systems today combine multiple layers of security—both hardware and software—to detect and prevent physical intrusion. Key upgrades include:
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Require both a badge and biometric verification to access secure areas.
- Encrypted Smart Cards: Upgrade from 125kHz proximity cards to secure 13.56MHz smart cards with AES encryption.
- Video Analytics Integration: Link your access logs to door cameras and use AI to detect tailgating or unexpected entry behavior.
- Mobile Credentialing: Eliminate physical cards with app-based access that can be managed and revoked remotely.
- Real-Time Monitoring & Alerting: Enable live dashboards tracking all physical entries and flag anomalies instantly.
Integrating Physical and Cybersecurity for Total Protection
Access control can no longer stand alone. It must integrate with your broader cybersecurity environment for true security.
That means when someone bad swipes a cloned badge, your SOC (Security Operations Center) knows instantly. If an employee badges in from one location but logs onto the network from another, flags go up.
A fully integrated approach connects physical security systems with:
- SIEMs (Security Information and Event Management tools)
- Identity and Access Management systems (IAM)
- Incident Response Plans
- Visitor Management Tools
With the right setup, a physical breach triggers automated network lockdowns, alerts IT and security teams, and logs all necessary compliance data.
Secure Your Future by Upgrading Today
Security starts at the door. And if you’re still using an outdated access control system, your badge system may be the weakest link in your building’s defense.
Physical security isn’t optional—especially when attacks are getting smarter by the day.
Grab The Axe can help. We specialize in transforming vulnerable access points into hardened defenses that work in tandem with your broader security posture.
Secure your business—book a consultation to assess your access control vulnerabilities.
