How I Rob Banks

Chapter 71Taking the Bus to Work

Many people take the bus to work, cycle, walk, or take the train. I normally work from home, or I drive. But I doubt many people use transport the same way I do. I tend to use transport to circumvent security.

It was some years ago, but many of my jobs create a vivid memory that I can recall easily. I was tasked by a large tech company to perform a series of assessments against one of its more secure sites. The site was huge, housing multiple buildings within its perimeter. The entire place was very well protected; it had everything I often recommend to a client with a large budget.

Like many of the anecdotes in this book, I obviously can't go into many details (in this case in particular, someone who works there or nearby might be able to figure out where it is). But the perimeter was well-fenced and protected with multiple security features. The side and emergency exits through the perimeter were also well-secured. Even the main entrance gate was well-secured. Again, I wish I could mention some of the more interesting features of this site, but I do have to keep some things a secret.

Unlike most places with CCTV cameras, the multiple cameras here were watched by real security 24/7. The cameras looked over a barrier system that was physically manned at all times by guards. Anyone without a valid meeting was not allowed on the site. I even watched a few people who had legitimate reasons to visit be turned away. The few hundred people who worked ...