Tailgating attacks are a serious security threat that put confidential data, company assets and employee safety at risk. Tailgating exploits human psychology to bypass security measures without needing software vulnerabilities or technical expertise from attackers.
Criminals commonly pose as delivery workers, maintenance staff members or new staff members to gain entry to secure areas and gain entry. By becoming part of the crowd they are then able to eavesdrop on sensitive conversations.
Security awareness training
Tailgating is a form of social engineering in which an unauthorized individual follows an employee into a secure area and then attempts to steal physical assets or install malware on an organization’s systems. While seemingly low-tech, tailgating attacks can have devastating repercussions for an organization’s reputation and finances; companies can protect themselves by implementing physical and technical controls as part of a comprehensive defensive plan against attackers.
Security awareness training can assist employees in recognizing a tailgating attack and mitigating its effects. Training not only educates employees on the signs of such attacks, but can also teach them security protocols such as closing security doors after each use. Tailgating attacks are typically carried out by people pretending to be delivery drivers or repairmen; such incidents tend to happen more often in large organizations with high-value property as such individuals may gain entry to restricted areas.
As part of this attack, an unauthorised individual might ask an employee to hold open the door on some pretext, taking advantage of our human tendency to be polite and trust strangers. Since most employees consider this basic act of courtesy, most will agree. This allows the fraudster to enter and move laterally to reach sensitive areas more quickly.
No matter how well a company may implement physical and cybersecurity protocols to defend itself against tailgating attacks, this type of threat remains prevalent within many organizations. As attackers continue to devise innovative methods of circumventing security and gain unauthorised entry, companies should remain on guard at all times.
Organizations need to regularly test their security measures in order to identify any weaknesses. Furthermore, organizations should invest in technology that prevents tailgating attacks such as electronic access control systems with smart cards or biometric scanners, while additionally investing in surveillance systems capable of documenting any suspicious activity.
Invest in a video surveillance system
Tailgating attacks take place when an unauthorized individual follows behind an employee granted access to a building or restricted area, which could compromise sensitive data, destroy machines, disrupt business operations and lead to legal or financial repercussions. The best response to a tailgating attack should include additional security measures and training employees how to recognize suspicious activity quickly and report it immediately.
Physical security protocols must be in place in order to prevent unauthorised entry and protect employees and company property from attack. One method for providing this level of defense is investing in video surveillance system; such systems can monitor entrances and exits to make sure only authorized personnel enter and leave, alert security guards if someone breaks protocol, and serve as a comprehensive solution when combined with turnstiles or alarms.
Employees can reduce the risk of tailgating attacks by never holding a line for anyone, whether friends or coworkers, even friends and colleagues. Doing so is a common misstep that can result in security breaches. Employees should always confirm identity when admitting visitors into secure areas or use badges to bypass security controls.
Cybersecurity has become an increasing priority for businesses, yet too often organizations place too much focus on cyberattacks than physical security threats. Unfortunately, this preoccupation allows attackers to exploit gaps in physical security measures for tailgating attacks that aim at theft or disrupting businesses. Attackers might include disgruntled former employees, thieves, vandals or anyone looking for ways to take over or disrupt operations.
Even with technology and stringent security protocols in place, companies still face risk from physical tailgating attacks that compromise equipment, people and information – with lasting negative implications on reputation and bottom line.
Tailgating can have serious repercussions in data centers. Recently, an unauthorized individual gained entry to an enterprise’s secure research facility via tailgating an employee; this breach could have devastating repercussions for patients’ health and could include identity theft or medical fraud.
Implement a lockdown policy
Physical security should not be overlooked when discussing cybersecurity; physical threats must also be protected against. A tailgating attack, in which an attacker follows someone authorized into restricted areas to steal sensitive data or install malware, can have dire repercussions.
Tailgating attacks are an innovative form of social engineering that exploit human kindness and deception to bypass physical security measures. An attacker simply slips behind someone entering a secure area, then asks them to open or hold open the door for them or poses as an employee to increase his chances of success. Once inside they can steal confidential data or server-side access without detection. Once they gain entry they could steal confidential files or cause significant property damage.
Tailgating attackers use both social engineering tactics and knowledge of your organization’s security policies and procedures when attacking. For example, they might observe staff routines to determine which doors are regularly propped open; sometimes even copying ID cards used by legitimate users to gain entry can provide access.
Companies with high-value property and lots of foot traffic may be vulnerable to tailgating attacks. This is especially true for large organizations such as universities or malls with many employees.
Implementing a lockdown policy as an antidote for tailgating attacks is one effective way of counteracting this form of cybercrime. Should an unauthorised person enter any secure area, designated staff should immediately make an announcement that all facilities are now under lockdown until further notice.
Employees should be made aware of this protocol and be educated in how to spot signs of an attempted tailgating attack. Good cybersecurity practices such as logging off devices when leaving workstations or locking doors when exiting buildings should also be encouraged, and any stranger appearing too eager to help out such as maintenance workers must not be trusted with tasks that they appear too eagerly willing to assist with. In order to safeguard both physical and digital property of your company effectively, an integrated strategy including strict protocols, training for certain departments or job functions and ongoing awareness campaigns should be put in place.
Train employees
Many organizations educate employees on how to prevent phishing attacks and ransomware threats; these cyber vulnerabilities are easily addressed. But tailgating is a physical security breach which must be mitigated using various tactics involving technology, policies and employee training. Luckily, physical tailgating can also be prevented with effective practices in place across an organization.
To reduce tailgating risks, companies should require their employees to check-in when entering restricted areas and report suspicious activity immediately to their security team or supervisor. They should also be instructed on how to recognize signs of an attacker such as someone peeking over their shoulder or following them through doorways.
Contrary to traditional hacking methods that exploit software vulnerabilities, tailgating attacks rely on human psychology and trust in order to exploit. Not only can such attacks expose sensitive information or assets but can also disrupt operations or cause irreparable reputational harm; as a result, training employees on potential risks is key in protecting against this type of assault.
At an average attack, perpetrators typically wait outside a secured entrance before following an authorized employee into the building. Once inside, they scout for opportunities to steal unattended devices or gain entry to secured rooms before using these stolen devices to compromise equipment or steal sensitive data resulting in costly cyberattacks.
Employing this strategy, attackers may pose as employees to gain entry. This tactic can be especially effective in companies with high employee turnover or where newcomers are joining regularly; here, the attacker can more easily blend in amongst existing staff without raising alarm at security checkpoints.
Although tailgating attacks are real, their risk can be reduced through technology and employee education. Physical barriers like turnstiles can help deter tailgating attacks by only allowing one person through at once and being designed to recognize individuals by their physical features. Video surveillance systems with access control capabilities that recognize multiple individuals entering secured spaces also offer effective prevention mechanisms against these breaches.
