How does social engineering pose a threat to physical security?

Social engineering poses a threat to physical security primarily because it involves manipulating individuals into providing access. This technique often exploits human psychology, taking advantage of social interactions to gain unauthorized entry to secure areas or sensitive information. For instance, an individual may impersonate a trustworthy figure, such as a delivery person or maintenance worker, and convince an employee to grant them access to restricted areas.

This method is particularly effective because it bypasses the more traditional security measures, such as physical barriers or surveillance systems, by targeting the human element directly. Human error or trust can undermine security practices, making social engineering a potent threat to organizations and their physical security protocols.