Random but Memorable 16.5: What it takes to protect and break into data centers

Forum|Forum|3 months ago
March 31, 2026
1 reply
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Offices, data centers, and factories—physical security still matters, especially when they house critical equipment and data. In the latest episode of Random but Memorable, Deviant Ollam, a physical penetration expert, joins us to share how he’s spent years legally breaking into facilities—and revealing where companies are most at risk.

Episode summary
Our latest episode is a reminder that cybersecurity doesn’t stop at the screen. 🏢🔐 Deviant Ollam, physical security expert and pentester, lifts the lid on the physical “IRL” side of security. From door locks to badge systems, Deviant shares what attackers are looking for, and why the physical layer can be the weakest link. 🚪🔑

But that’s not all! In Watchtower Weekly, we unpack how supply chain attacks are evolving into a self-reinforcing cybercrime economy — where one breach fuels the next, creating an endless loop of access, data, and profit for attackers. ⭕️💻

Got questions, or comments about this episode? Let us know in the thread below!

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AJCxZ0

Another excellent choice of guest. Deviant Ollam is a highly edutaining source for all things related to physical penetration testing.

1P_nickAuthor

Community Manager

Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy the interview, Jayden had a blast catching up with Deviant. (If you have any guest recommendations, let us know – we're always open to suggestions!)

AJCxZ0

Having recently finished his book, "Permanent Record", along with all the obvious reasons: Edward Snowden.

Wide World of Cyber podcast host, Chris Krebs, might know a thing or two about systems and security in government and industry.

The man who (co-)wrote the book(s) and taught the class, Gene Spafford.

Hacker, scribbler, and gabbler, Cory Doctorow.

Annie Jacobsen knows a thing or two about secrets.

Jeff "Fireship" Delaney for developing things.

Philip "AI Explained" L because AI has to be mentioned.

Any or all of @1P_SimonH, @1P_Dave, @1P_Phil, @1P_Gem, and the rest of the Community management and moderation team, but only with full disclosure and immunity from repercussions and retaliation by corporate.

If you can persuade her to associate with 1Password, I suspect that Wendy Nather would be a great regular guest to mine for stories.

Folks from the organisations behind other widely used and respected password managers such as Bitwarden and Proton.

The list of other return guests would be too long, as you've had some great guests such as Deviant's matrimonial associate. There's a non-zero probability that I've already mentioned some.

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