How General Bank of Canada Validated Their Security Measures With Physical Penetration Testing
General Bank of Canada (GBC) had been investing in their security posture for years, but they had a glaring question that needed to be answered, could a threat simply walk through their front door? So as part of a broader red teaming assessment, GBC elected to test their physical security posture in addition to several other attack vectors.
Using our physical penetration testing services, they were able to confirm the effectiveness of their investments and reinforce employee awareness regarding physical threats.
Validated Effectiveness of Physical Security
Our assessment confirmed that GBC's physical security controls, including access restrictions, surveillance systems, and employee awareness protocols, were strong and effective.
Reinforced Employee Security Awareness
Awareness was raised among staff members across all three tested locations. As they successfully identified and responded to suspicious activity, it reinforced the systems that were in place.
Informed Improved Understanding
The assessment provided valuable insights into how physical breaches could potentially impact network security, leading to improved and strengthened understanding across leadership within GBC.
About General Bank of Canada
General Bank of Canada (GBC) is a federally regulated Schedule I Canadian chartered bank and a member of the Wheaton Group of Companies. Committed to financial innovation and security, GBC provides a range of loan and deposit solutions across Canada, with a strong focus on automotive, aviation, and equipment financing.
- Industry: Banking and Financial Services
- Size: 51-200 Employees
- Location: Alberta, Canada
- Services: Red Teaming Assessment, Physical Penetration Testing, and Incident Response Tabletop Exercises
Why GBC Chose to Conduct a Physical Penetration Test
Our physical penetration test was a key component of a larger red teaming assessment conducted to evaluate the General Bank of Canada’s overall security resilience. With cybersecurity-related risks becoming a growing concern across the Wheaton Group, General Bank of Canada sought to validate its security posture through realistic attack simulations.
By integrating physical security testing into the engagement, GBC aimed to assess how well its controls could prevent unauthorized access, detect potential intrusions, and mitigate threats before they could escalate.
How We Conducted Our Physical Penetration Test
To conduct the physical security assessment, our team utilized a range of social engineering tactics to simulate real-world intrusion attempts at all three of the Wheaton Group’s physical locations. The goal was to determine whether an adversary could manipulate employees, exploit procedural weaknesses, or bypass physical security controls to gain unauthorized access to restricted areas.
After conducting research and reconnaissance on all locations, our red team chose to pose as various individuals who might have legitimate reasons to enter the facilities, including customers, and local vendors such as electrical and internet service providers. These personas were carefully crafted to align with common real-world threats, where attackers leverage familiarity and perceived authority to bypass security measures.
In each attempt, our team evaluated how employees responded to unverified individuals, whether security protocols were consistently followed, and if any access points were left vulnerable to exploitation.
They then attempted to gain access by requesting service-related entry, claiming urgent repairs or maintenance were needed, and presenting false work orders. At the conclusion of the assessment, our team compiled detailed findings on successful and unsuccessful breach attempts, employee responses, and areas where security awareness training could be improved.
This approach ensured that GBC could not only validate its strong security measures but also identify specific areas where additional controls, training, or procedural changes could further enhance protection against physical intrusion threats.
...TrollEye's approach of employing various attack vectors—from dark web analysis to physical breach attempts—demonstrated their understanding of the complex nature of modern cybersecurity threats facing financial institutions. It’s simple, yet powerful.
Learn More About Our Physical Penetration Testing Services
TrollEye Security’s Physical Penetration Testing goes beyond standard security audits by simulating real-world intrusion attempts using advanced social engineering tactics, unauthorized access testing, and employee awareness assessments. Our approach evaluates how well your physical security measures hold up against adversaries who exploit human and procedural vulnerabilities.
But our testing isn’t just about identifying gaps—it’s about strengthening your organization’s overall security posture. We provide actionable insights, clear recommendations, and strategic guidance to help you enhance physical security controls, improve staff awareness, and integrate physical security with your broader cybersecurity strategy.