Many employees moving in and out of company buildings put them at risk for tailgating attacks. This finding comes from a recent study.¹ Tailgating involves someone getting into a secure area by following an authorized person. It’s a major risk. We all want to stay safe from cybercriminals who try to steal our personal info, whether at the office or home.

This kind of attack is part of social engineering. It lets someone who shouldn’t be there get into restricted places. They might do things like steal secrets, harm property, get important account details, or put bad software on devices.¹ Tailgating is like piggybacking, but piggybacking means the tricked employee lets the other person follow them in. Places open to many entrances, get lots of deliveries or have many outsider workers are more at risk. This is especially true if their employees and contractors are not well-trained in how to stay safe.

Understanding Tailgating in Cybersecurity

What is Tailgating?

Tailgating is a sneaky way someone can get into a restricted area without permission. They might try to steal important data, break things, or harm your computers. This usually happens in places that are supposed to be secure, like ones with passwords or other protections.²

Tailgating vs. Piggybacking Attacks

Tailgating and piggybacking are kind of similar. But in a piggybacking attack, the person tricks an employee into helping them. For example, they might pretend to be a delivery person. The employee doesn’t know they’re being used to get into a secure area.³

Common Tailgating Methods

Walking into a secure area behind someone else is a common tailgating trick. It relies on the person in front leaving the door open for you. Sometimes, a fake delivery or courier person will try to get in. They use things like having their hands full or saying they lost their ID to fool you into letting them through.³

You can fight tailgating with systems that need things like fingerprints or cards to get in. Also, training your staff to be watchful and aware can help prevent these attacks. Holding security drills and spreading awareness through campaigns can make your team respond faster and better during real events.²

Putting up physical barriers like gates and using security cameras can also stop tailgaters. These efforts have shown to significantly reduce the chances of unauthorized access. Plus, new technologies can spot tailgaters early on, keeping your security tight.²

Keeping your security measures up to date and reacting with policy changes helps against evolving threats like tailgating. Also, teaming up top-level management with a strong security message decreases the risk of tailgating. It makes employees more likely to follow security rules closely.²

There’s a growing need for systems that can detect tailgating. This market is expected to expand from $63.5 million in 2021 to $99.5 million by 2028. Companies with weak security face the biggest risk.³

Organizations at risk often lack the latest in cybersecurity. They may be easy targets for attackers. Keeping up with training and using tools like access control can help prevent tailgating. This includes checking who enters your premises with smart technologies.³

By using the right tech, such as sensors and video readers, you can better secure your areas. These tools help make sure only the right people get in. This way, you can guard against unauthorized entries effectively.³

what is tailgating in cyber security

Factors That Make an Enterprise Susceptible

Organizations are at risk of cyberattacks without proper security. These attacks can steal private information.³ If a company doesn’t update its threat protection, it can face breaches from tailgating attacks too.³ Training employees well and maintaining strong cybersecurity steps can lower these risks.³

Who is Most Vulnerable to Tailgating Attacks?

Companies are more at risk if they don’t check IDs, don’t train their staff well, allow unknown people or packages inside, or work with many contractors.¹ Employees who aren’t trained properly in security are also easy targets.¹ But, using biometrics or ID badges can stop tailgating.¹

Conclusion

Tailgating is a big security risk. It lets unauthorized people into secure places. This can lead to severe damage.⁴ Cybercrooks might take away important devices. They can sneak in and plant harmful software to enter later.⁴ Tailgating uses tricks to get through friendly ways. It can happen in real life or online, causing information leaks.⁴

Organizations should use tools like electronic locks and security cameras to stop tailgating. They help spot and block these risks.⁴ Teaching staff about these dangers is key. It helps them know what to watch out for, preventing attacks.⁴

In tech, tailgating at data centers is a big threat. Even one case can bring harm. It might lead to stolen data or tampering.⁵ The main issue in tech is trust. Someone friendly can open the door for a stranger. This lets out important information.⁵ Offices, data centers, and labs are all at risk. Bad actors can get in pretending to be someone they’re not. This might lead to big data leaks or theft.⁵

Source Links

1. https://www.mcafee.com/blogs/internet-security/what-are-tailgating-attacks/
2. https://www.proofpoint.com/us/threat-reference/tailgating-attacks-cybersecurity
3. https://emeritus.org/blog/cybersecurity-what-is-tailgating-in-cybersecurity/
4. https://www.mimecast.com/content/what-is-a-tailgating-attack/
5. https://www.institutedata.com/us/blog/what-is-tailgating-in-cybersecurity/