What is Tailgating in Cybersecurity?
Cyber Security
Frazer Lloyd-Davies
When it comes to cybersecurity, it’s easy to focus on technical defences like firewalls, encryption and multi-factor authentication. However, even the most sophisticated systems can be compromised by a simple, human oversight. One of the most common ways this happens is through a tactic that exploits a momentary lapse in awareness: tailgating.
Tailgating is a social engineering technique where an unauthorised person gains physical access to a secure area by closely following someone with legitimate access, often without the authorised person even realising it.
So, while your IT team might be on top of the latest security advancements, the real key to keeping your organisation safe lies with the people who walk through the doors every day – your workforce.
What is Tailgating?
Tailgating is a significant security threat that targets an organisation’s physical access points. Unlike piggybacking, where an attacker convinces someone to give them access to a secure location (by pretending to be an employee, for example), tailgating is a more subtle approach.
It involves an unauthorised person following closely behind an authorised individual to enter a restricted area. The authorised person is usually completely unaware that someone has slipped through behind them. This can happen if a door is left open for a moment too long or if it closes slowly, allowing the tailgater to enter unnoticed.
Once inside, the intruder can move freely throughout the building and potentially access sensitive information or critical equipment which can then be stolen, damaged or exploited for malicious purposes. Tailgating doesn’t require advanced technical skills – just an awareness of human error and the opportunity to take advantage of it.
Which Organisations Are Most at Risk of Tailgating Attacks?
Tailgating can happen to any organisation, but certain environments and individuals are particularly vulnerable. High-traffic areas, such as main entrances or shared spaces, are prime targets where employees might be busy, distracted or in a hurry, making it easy for an unauthorised person to slip in unnoticed. Companies with multiple entry points face even greater challenges, as monitoring several access points can strain security efforts, providing more opportunities for tailgating incidents.
Individuals who are overly trusting or not security-conscious can inadvertently become targets, especially new staff members who are’t yet familiar with their coworkers or existing security protocols. These employees may be more likely to allow a tailgater inside, not realising the potential risks.
Additionally, businesses that handle sensitive data, such as financial institutions, healthcare providers and tech companies, are particularly appealing targets for tailgaters. The potential to access valuable information makes these organisations a prime focus for attackers. Recognising these vulnerabilities is the first step in strengthening your defences against this common but often overlooked security threat.
How to Prevent Tailgating Attacks
Tailgaters often use a range of clever and creative methods that make it difficult to catch them in the act. This is why prevention is key – by taking proactive steps, you can protect your organisation more effectively than by trying to identify these intruders in real-time.
Implement Strong Access Control Systems
Strong access control systems are your organisation’s first line of defence against tailgating attacks. These systems ensure that only authorised personnel can access secure areas, effectively preventing tailgating and reinforcing the importance of security throughout your organisation.
- Turnstiles and Mantraps – These physical barriers allow only one person through at a time, requiring proper credentials for entry. Installing them at entry points stops unauthorised individuals from simply following someone in.
- Smart Access Cards – Issuing smart access cards to employees ensures that only those with the right credentials can enter secure areas. If someone tries to tailgate, they’ll quickly be caught when they can’t access the next secure door.
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – Adding an extra step of verification, like a fingerprint scan or a PIN, ensures that even if someone gains physical access, they still need to prove their identity to get further. Two-factor authentication makes it nearly impossible for intruders to move freely within your organisation.
Increase Employee Awareness
Raising employee awareness is crucial in preventing tailgating. Regular training sessions are essential to help staff recognise and report suspicious behaviour, especially around high-risk areas. When employees are educated about the potential dangers, they’re far less likely to inadvertently allow someone unauthorised to enter.
Creating a culture of vigilance, where everyone feels responsible for security, is also vital. Encourage your staff to politely challenge anyone they don’t recognise or who isn’t following proper access procedures. This makes it much harder for tailgaters to get by unnoticed.
Leverage Monitoring Systems
Positioning video surveillance cameras at key entry points and throughout your facility is a smart way to deter and detect tailgaters. These cameras allow security personnel to monitor activity in real time, quickly spotting any suspicious behaviour, such as someone trying to follow an employee into a restricted area without proper authorisation.
In addition to video surveillance, having on-site security guards adds an extra layer of protection. Guards can be stationed at entrances or patrol high-risk areas, ready to step in if they spot a tailgating attempt. They can also conduct random checks of employee credentials to ensure that everyone in restricted areas is authorised to be there.
Building Cybersecurity Awareness with Acronyms
Tailgating is a direct threat to your organisation’s security, but its dangers don’t stop at physical entry. Once an intruder gains access, the risks can multiply. For example, a tailgater could easily exploit their presence to send phishing emails or access sensitive data from within your network. This internal access makes it easier for them to launch further attacks that can bypass many external security measures.
This is why it’s crucial to not only focus on physical security but also on educating your employees to recognise potential threats from within. Acronyms, as your trusted IT support partner, offers comprehensive cybersecurity awareness training that helps employees recognise and prevent both digital and physical threats.
By understanding the full spectrum of security risks, from an unauthorised person entering your building to the digital exploits they might attempt, your organisation can be better prepared to defend against them.
If you would like more information about our cybersecurity services, please book a no-obligation consultation with the team today.