What is a Tailgating Attack

Tailgating attack is an in-person social engineering attack where an unauthorized person gains access to a restricted area by quietly following an authorized person. This type of security breach occurs without the necessary security checks, often without the knowledge of the person being followed. As a critical concern in cybersecurity, it targets physical weaknesses rather than cyber ones, presenting a unique challenge within the cybersecurity world. As a consequence, the global annual cost of cybercrime is projected to escalate to US$9.5 trillion in 2024.

Despite companies investing in advanced security measures to protect their sensitive data, the main reason for 82% of cyber attacks is still the human element, according to Cyber Magazine. This is evident in tailgating attacks, where unauthorized individuals exploit human trust and lack of vigilance to access secure areas.

This blog post explores the mechanics of tailgating attacks, their risks, and strategies to protect against them.

How Does Tailgating Work?

A tailgating attack happens when an unauthorized person sneaks into a restricted area by following someone with legitimate access. It’s a form of social engineering that relies on human error and bypasses security measures like keycards or biometric scans. Here’s how it typically works:

1. Exploiting Politeness: Attackers often take advantage of people’s natural tendency to be polite. For example, an employee may hold the door open for someone behind them, not realizing they don’t have proper clearance. The attacker gets in without needing to show credentials.
2. Blending into Groups: Attackers wait for busy times, like lunch breaks or shift changes, when many employees enter or exit the building. They blend into the group and walk in with them, making it harder for security personnel or others to notice they don’t belong.
3. Impersonation: Sometimes, attackers pretend to be delivery drivers, contractors, or maintenance workers to look like they have a legitimate reason to be there. By acting confidently and carrying something like a package, they can often get past security without being questioned.

In cybersecurity, tailgating might seem like a simple attack, but it can lead to serious breaches. Once inside, attackers can access sensitive areas like server rooms, steal data, or install malicious software that can disrupt operations. You can learn more about securing physical spaces and reducing human error in our article on cyber safety rules.

Tailgating Social Engineering

Tailgating is a prime example of social engineering, where attackers manipulate human behavior to bypass security systems. Rather than hacking into a digital system, a tailgating attack targets physical entry points, exploiting a person’s trust or politeness to gain unauthorized access. The attacker relies on individuals being less suspicious in social settings, making it easier for them to follow authorized personnel into restricted areas.

This form of social engineering highlights how attackers can bypass high-tech security systems using low-tech tactics like trust and human interaction. Employees often don’t realize they are being manipulated, making it a highly effective method for attackers to gain entry without triggering alarms or detection systems.

What’s the Difference Between Tailgating and Piggybacking?

The difference between tailgating and piggybacking is important to know, as they are often confused but refer to different situations:

• Tailgating happens when someone secretly follows another person into a restricted area without the first person knowing. It usually occurs at secure entry points where the follower takes advantage of the situation to sneak in right behind someone with legitimate access.
• Piggybacking, however, involves some degree of permission from the person with access. It can occur if the person holding the door assumes the follower should also be allowed in, often by mistake or out of politeness. In this situation, the person with access knows about the follower but mistakenly thinks it's okay to let them in.

What Are The Most Common Tailgating Methods?

To spot tailgating attacks, it’s important to understand the most common methods unauthorized individuals use to sneak into secure areas. Knowing these tactics can help prevent unauthorized access and protect sensitive environments from cybersecurity tailgating.

In the next sections, we will delve into the most common tailgating methods that unauthorized individuals often use.

Physical Tailgating

Physical tailgating involves an attacker closely following an authorized person into a restricted area. This often happens during high-traffic times when multiple people are entering or leaving a building, making it easier for the attacker to blend in and avoid detection.

Piggybacking

In piggybacking, the attacker is allowed entry by an authorized individual, who may assume the person behind them has valid access. This happens often in friendly office environments where employees might hold doors open for colleagues or visitors without verifying credentials.

Digital Tailgating

Digital tailgating involves gaining unauthorized access to digital systems, often by taking advantage of someone’s credentials. For example, an attacker may use a logged-in workstation left unattended by an employee to access restricted systems or data.

Impersonation

Attackers often pretend to be delivery personnel, maintenance workers, or other figures that are likely to be trusted by employees. By appearing legitimate, they can exploit human behavior and gain access to restricted areas without raising suspicion.

How To Detect Tailgating Attacks?

Detecting tailgating attacks needs both technology and alert employees. Attackers often try to sneak in without being noticed, so having several layers of security is important. Using smart surveillance tools along with employees who are trained to stay aware can greatly reduce the chance of unauthorized access.

Here are some strategies:

• Surveillance Systems: Install AI-powered cameras with facial recognition and real-time monitoring at entry points to catch unauthorized individuals trying to enter alongside authorized employees.
• Access Control Logs: Regularly review entry and exit logs to spot suspicious activity, such as unauthorized access attempts.
• Employee Awareness: Train employees to stay alert at entry points and to question unfamiliar faces. You can learn more about how to improve employee vigilance through security awareness training in our post on phishing awareness training.

What Are The Dangers of a Tailgating Attack?

The dangers of a tailgating attack can be substantial. Some of the risks include:

• Data Breaches: Once inside, attackers can steal sensitive information or plant malware on critical systems.
• Operational Disruption: Physical access can lead to equipment tampering, causing system shutdowns or service outages.
• Reputation Damage: A successful tailgating attack can damage an organization’s reputation and result in legal and financial repercussions, as well as lost trust from clients and partners.

For more on safeguarding your business, check out our article on the Uber social engineering attack.

How To Protect Your Organization From Tailgating Attacks?

To protect against tailgating attacks, organizations should focus on both physical security measures and employee training. Here are some effective strategies:

• Advanced Access Control: Use biometric or multi-factor authentication (MFA) at all entry points to ensure only authorized personnel can enter.
• Physical Barriers: Install turnstiles or security gates that prevent multiple people from entering at once.
• Employee Training: Regularly train employees on the risks of tailgating and piggybacking, and encourage them to politely challenge individuals attempting to follow them into secure areas. Regularly updating security awareness programs can significantly reduce human error.

Keepnet’s Security Awareness Training Against Tailgating Attacks

Keepnet Security Awareness Training offers a comprehensive solution for reducing the risks associated with tailgating attacks and other forms of social engineering. By focusing on real-world scenarios, Keepnet helps employees recognize and respond to cyber threats before they lead to breaches.

Key features of Keepnet Security Awareness Training include:

• Real-Time, Behavior-Focused Simulations: Training scenarios, such as vishing, smishing, and QR phishing, allow employees to learn from their mistakes in real time, helping to stop breaches, including those from AI-powered attacks, before they happen.
• Comprehensive Security Training Library: With access to a constantly updated selection of over 2000 modules from 12 top providers, employees receive the latest information and skills to combat both traditional and AI-related threats.
• Tailored, Adaptive Training Programs: Keepnet customizes training based on each user’s behavior, offering a proactive, personalized approach to reduce vulnerabilities and address specific risks, including those posed by AI-driven threats.

By investing in Keepnet Security Awareness Training, organizations can significantly reduce human error, the leading cause of security breaches. This not only enhances physical and digital security but also protects sensitive data, reduces financial loss, and strengthens organizational trust.

To gain deeper insight into how Keepnet Security Awareness Training can help your organization defend against emerging threats, watch the video below, which provides a detailed overview of the platform’s key features and benefits.

Editor’s Note: This blog post was updated in October 2024.