In a recent exercise undertaken by security consultancy NTA Monitor, a tester was able to gain access to a corporate building through a back door that was left open for smokers.
Once inside, the tester requested to be taken to a meeting room, claiming that the IT department had sent him. Even without a pass, he gained access unchallenged and was able to connect his laptop to the VoIP network via a telephone point.
Roy Hills, technical director at NTA Monitor, said: "It used to be that companies 'left the back door open' in terms of internet security. Now they are literally leaving their buildings open to accommodate smokers.
"We are experiencing a surge in demand for social engineering tests as hackers are turning to social techniques to infiltrate corporate networks."
He added that the exercise proves that once inside a corporate building, an attacker can use social methods on employees to gain access to restricted areas and information.
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