April10th, 2025 – “”

Hello Hackers!

This month we are joined again by @brianhalbach who will be presenting his talk “Tools of the Trade: How basic items can get you access almost anywhere.”:

You do not have to be James Bond to break into most buildings; in fact, a handful of simple items are often all you need. Success isn’t just about having the latest gadgets—it’s about knowing how to use simple, everyday items in creative ways. This talk explores the tools of physical penetration testing, from advanced lock picks and RFID cloners to common objects like clipboards, duct tape, and hotel key cards, demonstrating how these can be effective in bypassing physical security controls. Attendees will gain an understanding of the commonly used tools, including both specialized gear and unconventional items that can provide surprising advantages. We’ll discuss the importance of hands-on familiarity with your tools, selecting the right approach for a given scenario, and how to use these tools to expose real-world vulnerabilities.

Bio: Brian Halbach has eight years of cybersecurity experience, six of which have been penetration testing. He has been featured on Nightline ABC where a camera crew followed him and his coworker around while they broke into multiple companies in the Twin Cities Metro area. Brian was also featured on Darknet Diaries where he has regaled audiences with stories of physical penetration testing gone wrong. Brian has spoken about cybersecurity at conferences such as Defcon’s Physical Security Village, Wild West Hackin’ Fest, and GrrCon, Secure360. While he is passionate about hacking into things, he is equally as passionate about helping organizations learn how to secure themselves.

Meeting will be on Discord. If you need an invite, look no further.

Talk starts at 6:12 PM U.S. Central, but feel free to hop in early and chat.

— TactiFail