Tailgating

Tailgating is a social engineering attack enabling an unauthorized individual to gain access to a password-protected or secured premise by following an authorized individual.

This threat occurs when a malicious actor or intruder uses the legitimate entry of a trusted person to bypass security protocols, such as locked doors, access-controlled areas, or secure buildings. Tailgating is a social engineering tactic that exploits human behavior, taking advantage of people’s willingness to be polite or not challenge others in their work environment.

Unlike traditional cyberattacks that focus on exploiting technical vulnerabilities in systems, tailgating is a physical, interpersonal attack that targets an organization’s security infrastructure. The goal of a tailgating attack is usually to gain access to sensitive data, systems, or networks within a physical facility.

How Tailgating Works

Tailgating is a straightforward but effective method of gaining unauthorized access. The process typically involves the following steps:

1. Observation: The attacker observes a target location with access control mechanisms like locked doors, swipe cards, or security gates. The attacker will look for an opportunity when an authorized person is approaching the entry point.
2. Social Interaction: The attacker may either directly follow the authorized person or use social tactics to convince the authorized person to allow them entry. This can involve:
   • Impersonation: The attacker might pretend to be an employee or contractor who has forgotten their access card.
   • Request for Assistance: The attacker may ask the authorized person to hold the door for them, citing reasons such as carrying heavy equipment or being late for an important meeting.
   • No Questions Asked: In some cases, people may simply allow others in out of politeness or not wanting to create a confrontation, especially if they are in a rush or distracted.
3. Breach: Once inside the facility, the attacker can roam the area, sometimes unchallenged, and may attempt to steal sensitive information, install malware, or further compromise security.

Because tailgating relies on human factors rather than technical weaknesses in a system, it often goes unnoticed until a significant security incident occurs. The attacker may even appear harmless, making it difficult for security personnel to detect the breach.

Common Targets for Tailgating

Tailgating can happen in any physical space that requires authorized access to restricted areas, but it is most common in environments where valuable data or sensitive equipment is stored. These can include:

• Datacenters: Locations that store critical information and high-value assets, including server farms and storage facilities.
• Corporate Offices: Offices with access to intellectual property, confidential documents, or employee data.
• Research Facilities: Laboratories or secure facilities with proprietary information or classified materials.
• Financial Institutions: Locations with access to sensitive financial data or secure transaction networks.
• Government Buildings: Public sector organizations, which may have valuable or classified information at risk.

Risks of Tailgating in Cybersecurity

1. Data Theft: Once inside a secured area, the attacker could steal confidential or sensitive data, including intellectual property, customer information, or financial records. This can lead to financial losses or damage to the organization’s reputation.
2. Malware Installation: The attacker may use their unauthorized access to install malware on computers or network devices, which could later be used to steal data, cause system downtime, or facilitate other cyberattacks, such as ransomware.
3. Compromised Security Protocols: Allowing unauthorized individuals into secure areas can set a precedent that weakens overall security practices. Other employees may see this behavior as acceptable and might be less vigilant in ensuring physical security.
4. Regulatory and Legal Consequences: A successful tailgating attack that leads to data breaches or intellectual property theft can expose an organization to regulatory fines, lawsuits, or compliance violations, especially if it involves personal data under laws like GDPR or HIPAA.

Prevention of Tailgating

Preventing tailgating requires a combination of technical security measures, awareness training, and strong organizational policies. Here are several effective methods to mitigate the risks of tailgating:

1. Access Control Systems: Use advanced physical access control mechanisms, such as biometric scanning, smart cards, PIN codes, or two-factor authentication (2FA). These systems make it more difficult for unauthorized individuals to gain entry without proper credentials.
2. Employee Training: Train staff to be vigilant and aware of the dangers of tailgating. Employees should be educated on the importance of challenging unfamiliar individuals attempting to gain entry to restricted areas. They should also be instructed on how to handle requests from people who may be attempting to tailgate.
3. Security Monitoring: Use security personnel, video surveillance, or monitoring systems to detect and respond to tailgating attempts. Surveillance cameras can help identify suspicious activities and track the movements of unauthorized individuals.
4. Security Audits and Enforcement: Regularly audit physical security practices to ensure that employees are adhering to proper protocols. Implement strict consequences for failing to adhere to security policies, reinforcing the importance of keeping the premises secure.
5. Visitor Management: For visitors, implement a sign-in system, issue temporary access credentials, and assign escorts to ensure they are always supervised while on the premises.

About BlackFog

BlackFog is the leader in on-device data privacy, data security and ransomware prevention. Our behavioral analysis and anti data exfiltration (ADX) technology stops hackers before they even get started. Our cyberthreat prevention software prevents ransomware, spyware, malware, phishing, unauthorized data collection and profiling and mitigates the risks associated with data breaches and insider threats. BlackFog blocks threats across mobile and desktop endpoints, protecting organizations data and privacy, and strengthening regulatory compliance.