***The links of the products may change with time, if so, just ping me on twitter so I can update them. None of the links are affiliated or sponsored. Also, I have personally purchased almost every single item from this list out of my own pocket based on needs for engagements. If there are any other items that are not on this list and you believe they should be, feel free to DM or ping me on twitter (@DavidProbinsky) and I can add them.***
Commonly used tools for Red Teaming Engagements, Physical Security Assessments, and Tactical Covert Entry.
In this list I decided to share most of the tools I utilize in authorized engagements, including where to find some of them, and in some cases I will also include some other alternative tools. I am not providing information on how to use these tools, since this information can be found online with some research. My goal with this list is to help fellow Red Teamers with a 'checklist', for whenever they might be missing a tool, and use this list as a reference for any engagement. Stay safe and legal!!
Recon Tool | Where to find | Alternative |
1. Camera with high zoom | Recommended: Panasonic Lumix FZ-80 with 60x Zoom Camera | Alternative: If not the Panasonic, you can use others. There are many other good cameras in the market. Try to get one with a decent zoom, any camera with over 30x Optical Zoom should work just fine. |
1.1 Polarized Camera Filters | Recommended: Any polarized filter that fits the lens of your camera. | Alternatives: N/A. |
2. Body Worn Action Camera | Recommended: GoPro cameras or the DJI Osmo Action cameras | Alternatives: There are other cheaper alternative action cameras that can be used, however the videos may not have the highest quality or best image stabilization, which can make the footage seem wobbly or too dark. |
3. Drone with Camera | Recommended: DJI Mavic Mini Series or any other drone that fits your budget. | N/A |
4. Two-Way Radios or Walkie Talkies | Recommended: BaoFeng UV-5R | Alternatives would be to just use cellphones and bluetooth headsets and a live call, however with this option you will not be able to listen to local radio chatter. A cell phone serves the purpose of being able to communicate with the client in case of emergency. |
5. Reliable flashlight | Amazon, Ebay, local hardware store | If you want to save some money, you can always use the flashlight of your cellphone, however some phones cant decrease the brightness intensity. |
6. Borescope / Endoscope | Recommended: USB Endoscope Camera | There are a few other alternatives, varying in price, size, and connectivity. |
7. RFID Detector | Recommended: One good benefit of the Dangerous Things RFID Diagnostics Card is that its the size of a credit card, so it fits perfectly in your wallet for EDC use. | Cheaper Alternative: The RF Detector by ProxGrind can be used as a keychain. |
8. Alfa AWUS036ACS 802.11ac | Recommended: Alfa AWUS036ACS | N/A |
9. CANtenna | N/A | Yagi Antennas also work the same way. |
LockPicking & Entry Tools | Recommended | Alternatives |
10. A reliable ScrewDriver with changeable bits | Recommended: Wera Kraftform | Alternative: Any other screwdriver set will work just fine. Ideally a kit which can be portable and with different bits |
11. A reliable plier multitool | Recommended: Gerber Plier Multitool | Alternatives: any reliable multitool of your preference |
12. Gaffer Tape | Recommended because of its portability: Red Team Tools Gaffer Tape | Alternatives: There are many other options on Amazon, but they are all larger in size. |
13. A reliable set of 0.025 thin lockpick set | Recommended to get a well known brand with good reputation and quality products. Some of those are: TOOOL, Sparrows, SouthOrd, Covert Instruments | N/A. You do not want a pick breaking inside of a client's lock. Avoid sets that are of unknown brands from ebay. |
14. A reliable set of 0.018 thin lockpick set | Recommended to get a well known brand with good reputation and quality products. Some of those are: TOOOL, Sparrows, SouthOrd, Covert Instruments | N/A. |
15. Tension bars | Recommended: Covert Instruments Ergo Turner Set or Sparrows Flatbars | There are many other alternatives, varying in sizes and lengths. I strongly recommend having them in varying widths. |
16. Warded picks | Recommended: Red Team Tools Warded Lock Picks | Alternative: Sparrows Warded Pick Set |
17. Comb picks | Recommended: Covert Instruments Quad Comb Set | Alternative options: Sparrows Comb .45 and the Red Team Tools Comb Picks |
18. Wafer picks | Recommended: Red Team Tools Wafer Picks | Alternatives: Sparrows Warded & Wafer Picks with Case |
19. Jigglers | Recommended: Red Team Tools Jiggler | Alternatives: Sparrows Coffin Keys |
20. Dimple lockpicks | Recommended: Sparrows Black Flag | Alternatives: The "Lishi" of Dimple locks Dangerfield Multi-Dimple Lock Picking Tool - 'The Gamechanger' |
21. Tubular lockpicks | Recommended: Red Team Tools Quick-Connect Tubular Lockpick | Alternative: If you are very skilled at picking, you can go the manual route of tensioning and single pin picking, but it will take a lot longer to open the lock. With the Sparrows Goat Wrench you are able to do so. |
22. Disk Pick | Recommended: Sparrows Disk Pick | N/A |
23. Lock Lubricant | Powdered Graphite found on Ebay or Amazon can get the job done. | N/A |
24. Plug spinner | Recommended: Red Team Tools Peterson Plug Spinner | Alternative: LockPickWorld GOSO Pen Style Plug Spinner |
25. Hinge Pin Removal Tool | Recommended: Red Team Tools Hammerless Hinge Pin Tool | Here are some other alternatives: Covert Instruments Hinge Pin Removal Tools |
26. PadLock Shims | Recommended: Red Team Tools Padlock Shims 5-Pack | Alternative: Covert Instruments Padlock Shims 20-pack |
27. Combination lock decoders | Recommended: Covert Instruments Decoder Bundle | Alternative: Sparrows Ultra Decoder |
28. Commercial door hook or Adams Rite | Recommended: Covert Instruments Commercial Door Hook | Alternative: Red Team Tools "Peterson Tools Adams Rite Bypass Wire" or the Sparrows Adams Rite Bypass Driver |
29. Lishi Picks | IYKYK | N/A |
30. American Lock Bypass Driver | Recommended: Red Team Tools American Lock Padlock Bypass Driver | Alternative: Sparrows Padlock Bypass Driver |
31. Abus Lock Bypass Driver | Recommended: N/A | N/A |
Additional Tools | Recommended | Alternatives |
64. Ladders | Easy to carry ladders, for jumping over fences and walls. | N/A |
65. Gloves | Thick comfortable gloves, Amazon has plenty of them. | N/A |
66. Footwear | It varies, depending if social engineering or not. If in the open field, use boots. | N/A |
67. Attire | Dress up depending on the engagement. If in the field, use rugged strong clothes. If in an office building, dress accordingly. | N/A |
68. Thick wool blanket | At least a 5x5 and 1 inch thick, or barbed wires will shred you. | N/A |
69. First Aid Kit | Many kits available on Amazon. | N/A |
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