In my line of work I visit various data centres, telecommunications facilities, exchanges and whatnot.
I had to visit a company’s datacentre once to pick up a set of keys so I could access an unmanned broadcast facility on a mountain somewhere out of town. I had called a few days earlier and spoken to “Bob” who approved the visit.
On the day I didn’t have access to a work vehicle, and I don’t always have a uniform available. So I went in my personal car and civilian clothes. I had ID in my pocket, ready to go if need be.
When I got there it went like this:
Arrived at the locked gates and waved at the security guard, who opened the gates and let me in before asking me why I was there. I told him I was there to pick up keys and he showed me where to park my car.
I was approached by a staff member and I said I was “here to see Bob about some site keys, and this staff member escorted me into their data centre, through the main floor, to the offices at the back of the building.
Bobs office was empty so the staff member left me alone there in the office with access to the data centre floor while they went to find Bob. They left me there alone for 5 minutes, and there was no cameras in the office.
Eventually Bob comes in and he asks me what keys I need, I say I need the keys for “mount abc”. He brings out the keys, I scribble down a signature and I’m escorted back to my car.
Keep in mind I’m in a plain shirt and shorts and I arrived in my own car.
It only occurred to me later on that: