Physical Access Restrictions

Physical access to resources must be the most restricted because it forms the foundational layer of security. If an unauthorized individual gains physical control over a system or its components, they can often bypass or render ineffective many logical and technical security controls.

For instance, with physical access to a server or workstation, an attacker could:

• Install malicious software or hardware, such as a keylogger or a rogue network device, directly onto the system.
• Directly copy or exfiltrate sensitive data from storage devices by connecting external drives or removing internal ones.
• Tamper with hardware components, disable the system entirely, or disrupt critical services.
• Reset passwords or bypass operating system login mechanisms by booting from external media or manipulating configuration settings.

As noted in security texts, physical security measures like locks, surveillance, and access cards are fundamental to protecting information assets, as a breach at this level can compromise all subsequent layers of security (Kizza, 2013, p. 199, Guide to Computer Network Security). Without strict physical access control, even robust network firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and strong authentication protocols can be undermined.