Black Teaming Methodology

Tools

This page lists tools, equipment, and supporting materials used in Black Teaming engagements.

The examples aim to be reasonably priced, good-quality options that have worked well in the field.

Suggested Tool Kits

Two practical starting points depending on how much RFID work, bypass coverage, and field flexibility you need.

Basic

Minimal field kit for reconnaissance, simple badge work, and low-profile entry attempts.

  • Traveler hook
  • Multitool
  • Flashlight
  • Latch bypass tool (Jim)
  • Flipper Zero
  • Smartphone

Advanced

Broader kit for RFID work, covert entry, and more demanding physical assessments.

  • Traveler hook
  • Multitool
  • Flashlight
  • Latch bypass tool (Jim)
  • Flipper Zero
  • Proxmark3
  • Lock pick set
  • Under-door tool
  • Crash bar tool
  • Bundle of MIFARE Classic and T5577 tags
  • RFID field detector

Categories

Recon Equipment

Name Purpose Information Example
Camera Capture long-range images of entrances, layouts, routines, and details during reconnaissance. High zoom at a reasonable price with a practical size for reconnaissance work. Nikon Coolpix P1100
Voice recorder Record spoken notes, observations, and debrief points during reconnaissance and site work. Useful when quick verbal note-taking is easier than writing. Olympus WS-882
Binoculars Observe entrances, loading areas, rooftops, and movement from a distance. Choose magnification for the site, not the catalog. Higher power is not always better. -

RFID

Name Purpose Information Example
Proxmark3 RDV4 RFID research, cloning, and access-control testing. Still the baseline choice. Cheaper AliExpress clones work for most practical tasks. AliExpress clone -
Flipper Zero RFID/NFC cloning/emulating plus tons of other features. Useful for quick and simple badge cloning. -
RFID field detector Quickly confirm whether a reader field is active before testing cards or badges. Small, simple tool for quick reader checks in the field. LAB401 RFID Field Detector
MITM device Intercept communication from reader to controller. Record and replay Wiegand traffic between reader and controller. ESPKey
T5577 tags Blank low-frequency tags for testing, cloning, and repeatable field use with compatible systems. Carry a few in different form factors if you expect varying readers or badge styles. -
MIFARE Classic tags Blank 13.56 MHz tags for reader checks, test badges, and controlled validation work. Useful as disposable test media when you do not want to reuse real cards. -
MIFARE Classic magic card UID-changeable MIFARE Classic card for controlled testing where card identity needs to be replicated. Useful when standard tags are not enough for the target system. -

Bypass Tools

Name Purpose Information Example
Traveler hook Latch bypass for spring-latched doors. Simple field option for spring-latched doors when the latch geometry allows it. Similar hook in AliExpress set Traveler's Hook
Latch bypass tool Flat shim for spring-latched doors where the latch can be reached at the seam. Often referred to as a jim or shove knife. Useful when the gap and latch geometry support a direct shim. RFID Hacker Shove Knife
Under-door tool Manipulate interior lever handles from the exterior. Useful on lever-handle doors with sufficient gap. Under-Door Tool
Crash bar tool Engage push bars through center gaps on double doors. Double Door Tool for round bar and crash bar setups. Sparrows DDT
Lock pick set Baseline pin-tumbler picking kit for ordinary cylinders encountered during authorized site work. Keep the kit small and practical. You need a field set, not a display case. Covert Instruments Genesis Lock Pick

General Tools

Name Purpose Information Example
Telescopic ladder Compact ladder for reaching height when the assignment allows it. Choose height, weight rating, and transport profile based on the job. -
Headlamp Hands-free light for movement, setup, and low-visibility work. Should support red light. Petzl ACTIK
Flashlight (AAA-powered) General-purpose handheld flashlight for movement, searches, and backup lighting on site. Uses 4x AAA alkaline batteries, which are easy to replace almost anywhere if you need fresh batteries in the field. Ledlenser P7
Flashlight (rechargeable) Rechargeable handheld flashlight with more output for longer-range checks and general field use. Good option if you want a rechargeable light with higher output than a simple battery-powered backup. Ledlenser P7R Core
Duct tape General-purpose tape for quick fixes, bundling, and temporary hold. Useful field consumable. -
Electrical tape Insulation, wrapping, and low-profile temporary fastening. Keep at least one black roll in the kit. -
Steel wire (stiff) Rigid wire for probing, manipulation, and improvised field use. Carry in a manageable length. -
Steel wire (flexible) Flexible wire for pull-through, retention, and lighter manipulation tasks. Useful to carry alongside the stiff version. -
Screwdriver Reliable driver for field adjustments, hardware access, and maintenance. Compact, field-friendly kit from a solid baseline brand. Wera Kraftform Kompakt 25
Bit set Common driver bits for screws and fasteners encountered on site. Include the most common security and utility bits. -
Power bank High-output battery pack for keeping phones, radios, lights, and other field electronics running. Useful when you need fast charging and enough capacity to support a full day in the field. Anker Prime 200W 20,000mAh
Backpack Compact field pack for carrying everyday gear, tools, water, power, and spare layers. Good size for a practical day bag without turning into a large loadout pack. 5.11 RUSH 12 2.0

Everyday Carry

Name Purpose Information Example
Multitool General-use multitool for daily carry and quick field fixes. Baseline multitool with enough utility for most site work. Leatherman Wave+
Multitool (compact) Compact multitool option for daily carry. Useful if you want a smaller multitool with plier-focused carry. SOG PowerAccess
Gloves General carry gloves for grip, handling, and light protection. Just an example of good gloves. Mechanix FastFit
Smartphone Primary field device for notes, photos, navigation, timing, communications, and MFA-backed access. Easy to forget because everyone has one, but it is still one of the most important pieces of field kit. -
First-aid kit Basic first aid support for field work and travel. Baseline: adhesive bandages, sterile gauze, tape, antiseptic wipes, gloves, elastic wrap, scissors, tweezers, cold pack, emergency blanket, CPR barrier, pain relief, and personal meds. Tailor to the assignment and training level. -

PPE

Name Purpose Information Example
Helmet Head protection when the job site requires it. PPE varies with the assignment. Petzl STRATO VENT
Safety-toe shoes Foot protection for sites with safety-toe requirements. Choose the exact model based on site rules and environment. HAIX Safety Toe Shoes
Gloves Task-dependent hand protection for higher-risk work. Example quality option for PPE-specific glove needs. HexArmor Helix 1092
Safety glasses Eye protection where safety glasses are required. Simple, widely available baseline option. 3M SecureFit 100

Suppliers

Grouped by the kind of equipment they mainly sell.

Lock Picking & Bypass

Supplier Focus Link Notes
Red Team Tools Bypass tools and practical entry gear Red Team Tools Useful source for bypass tools and related field equipment.
Bump Keys 4 U Bump keys and entry tools Bump Keys 4 U Focused supplier for entry-related tools.
Covert Instruments Lock picking and bypass tools Covert Instruments Known supplier for covert entry tooling.
KSEC Labs Lock and physical security tools KSEC Labs Useful source for physical security tooling.
Sparrows Lock picks and bypass tools Sparrows Known source for bypass and lock tools.

Electronics & RFID

Supplier Focus Link Notes
LAB401 RFID, hardware tools, and research gear LAB401 Useful supplier for RFID and hardware-focused tooling.
RFID Hacker RFID tools, badges, accessories, and related gear RFID Hacker Supplier focused on RFID-related tools and accessories.