Physical Access
Physical access refers to the ability to physically interact with hardware, devices, or facilities, such as servers, networking equipment, or data centers. It is a critical security concept in IT and cybersecurity, involving controls like locks, biometrics, and surveillance to prevent unauthorized entry. This concept ensures that only authorized personnel can handle sensitive infrastructure, protecting against theft, tampering, or physical attacks.
Developers should understand physical access when working with on-premises infrastructure, data centers, or IoT devices to implement security measures and comply with regulations like GDPR or HIPAA. It is essential for roles in DevOps, system administration, or cybersecurity to prevent breaches that could compromise data integrity or availability, such as in server rooms or edge computing environments.