Cybersecurity threats come in many forms, and while digital attacks such as phishing and malware receive significant attention, physical security threats can be just as damaging. One such physical cybersecurity risk is tailgating, a social engineering attack that exploits human behavior to gain unauthorized access to restricted areas. This article delves into the concept of tailgating in cybersecurity, real-world examples, and best practices to prevent it.
What is Tailgating in Cybersecurity?
Tailgating, also known as piggybacking, occurs when an unauthorized individual gains access to a secured area by following an authorized person without proper authentication. This form of security breach typically happens in workplaces, data centers, or any organization with restricted access policies.
It’s a form of social engineering that exploits human behavior, such as kindness or distraction, rather than hacking technical systems. This is most common in physical settings, like office buildings or data centers, where someone might hold a door open or fail to notice an extra person entering.
Unlike hacking attacks that compromise digital security, tailgating manipulates human nature—such as politeness or distraction—to bypass physical security controls. It is one of the simplest yet most effective social engineering tactics that cybercriminals or malicious insiders use.
How Tailgating Works: Common Scenarios
1. Following Employees Through Secured Doors
One of the most common tailgating scenarios is when an unauthorized individual walks closely behind an employee entering a secured facility. The attacker may pretend to be an employee, a delivery person, or a visitor and take advantage of someone holding the door open for them.
2. Impersonating Delivery or Maintenance Personnel
Attackers often disguise themselves as couriers, IT support staff, or maintenance workers to deceive employees into granting them access to restricted areas. Since many organizations receive frequent deliveries, security personnel or employees might unknowingly allow unauthorized individuals inside.
3. Using Employee Distraction
In busy environments, employees might not always pay close attention to who enters a secure zone. Attackers take advantage of distractions, such as carrying heavy objects or engaging employees in conversation, to sneak into restricted areas unnoticed.
4. Exploiting Shared Access Cards
Some workplaces rely on access cards for security, but employees may unknowingly help tailgaters by lending their cards or allowing others to pass through when multiple people enter at once.
Why Tailgating Threatens Cybersecurity?
A tailgater’s physical access can bypass digital defenses. Imagine an intruder plugging a malicious USB into an employee’s computer or accessing sensitive files on an unlocked workstation. Such acts can lead to data breaches, ransomware attacks, or corporate espionage. For instance, in 2019, a breached data center via tailgating led to a major financial firm’s customer data leak.
Why is Tailgating a Security Risk?
Tailgating poses a serious security threat as it allows unauthorized individuals to gain access to sensitive areas, leading to:
- Data Breaches: A tailgater could access confidential company data, including customer records, trade secrets, and financial information.
- Theft or Sabotage: Attackers may steal valuable equipment, plant malware, or sabotage infrastructure.
- Physical Threats: Unauthorized access can also pose a risk to employee safety in cases where tailgaters have malicious intent.
- Regulatory Non-Compliance: Many industries require strict physical security measures to comply with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS. A breach due to tailgating can result in legal and financial consequences.
How to Prevent Tailgating Attacks?
Preventing tailgating requires a multi-layered approach, combining physical, technological, and human-focused strategies. Below is a detailed table summarizing the prevention methods, drawn from Fortinet – Tailgating Attack: Examples and Prevention and Check Point Software – What is a Tailgating Attack?:
| Prevention Method | Description |
| Physical Barriers | Use turnstiles or access control vestibules to allow only one authorized person at a time, suitable for busy facilities. |
| Biometric Access Controls | Implement systems like fingerprint or facial recognition to verify identities, reducing reliance on easily shared badges. |
| Video Surveillance | Deploy cameras with AI and video analytics to monitor entries, detect multiple people, and identify tailgaters in real-time. |
| Sensors for Counting | Use sensors to detect when more than one person enters with a single credential, providing automated alerts. |
| Employee Training | Conduct regular training to enhance awareness, teaching employees not to hold doors and to always require others to badge in. |
| Security Awareness Programs | Simulate social engineering attacks, like phishing emails, to keep staff alert and assess their responses. |
| Manned Reception or Guards | Use security personnel at entry points to monitor and challenge unauthorized individuals. |
| Advanced Video Analytics | Utilize AI to scan faces and compare against employee databases, enhancing detection capabilities. |
These measures address both the technological and human aspects of tailgating. For example, turnstiles physically limit access, while training addresses the behavioral component, such as employees holding doors open, a common scenario noted in Meesons – How to Tackle Tailgating (Piggybacking). The integration of AI in video surveillance, as mentioned in McAfee Blog – What Are Tailgating Attacks and How to Protect Yourself From Them, represents an unexpected detail, offering real-time monitoring and facial recognition to enhance security beyond traditional cameras.
1. Implement Strong Access Control Measures
Organizations should enforce strict access control policies, such as requiring employees to use keycards, biometric scans, or PIN codes for entry. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) for physical access can significantly reduce tailgating risks.
2. Use Security Personnel and Surveillance
Security guards and surveillance cameras can help monitor entry points and deter tailgating attempts. Regular security patrols can also ensure that unauthorized individuals do not gain access unnoticed.
3. Install Anti-Tailgating Doors and Turnstiles
Physical barriers, such as turnstiles, mantraps, and anti-tailgating doors, can prevent multiple people from entering with a single access credential. These barriers force each person to authenticate before proceeding.
4. Employee Awareness and Training
Organizations should conduct regular security awareness training to educate employees on tailgating risks. Employees should be encouraged to:
- Politely challenge unknown individuals attempting to follow them.
- Not hold doors open for strangers, even if it seems courteous.
- Report suspicious behavior to security personnel immediately.
5. Visitor Management System
A robust visitor management system can help track and monitor non-employees entering the premises. Visitors should be required to check in, wear identification badges, and be escorted by authorized personnel.
6. Strict Badge and Credential Policies
Employees should always wear their ID badges and never share access cards. Lost or stolen credentials should be reported immediately to prevent misuse.
7. Conduct Regular Security Audits
Regular security assessments and penetration testing can help identify vulnerabilities in an organization’s physical security controls. Simulated tailgating tests can evaluate employee awareness and the effectiveness of security measures.
Conclusion
Tailgating is a serious cybersecurity threat that can compromise both physical and digital assets. Organizations must take proactive steps to prevent unauthorized access by implementing strong security controls, employee training, and surveillance measures. By fostering a security-conscious culture and adopting technological solutions, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of tailgating attacks and protect their sensitive information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which physical security control prevents tailgating?
A turnstile is a physical security control that prevents tailgating by allowing only one person to pass through at a time. Other measures include mantraps, security guards, and access control systems like biometric scanners or RFID badge readers.
What is a method for stopping tailgating?
A method for stopping tailgating is implementing mantraps, which are two-door systems that allow only one person at a time to enter after authentication. Other effective methods include turnstiles, security guards, access control systems (biometric or RFID), and employee awareness training to recognize and prevent unauthorized access.
Which is the best defense against tailgating?
The best defense against tailgating is a combination of physical security controls and employee awareness. Key measures include:
- Mantraps – A two-door system that allows only one person at a time.
- Turnstiles – Restricts unauthorized entry by allowing single-person access.
- Security Guards – Actively monitor entry points and verify credentials.
- Access Control Systems – Use biometric scanners or RFID badges to authenticate users.
- Security Awareness Training – Educate employees to identify and report tailgating attempts.
