What is Tailgating in Cyber Security?

Tailgating is a sneaky trick where an unauthorized person sneaks into a secure area by following someone with a valid access card or code. They’re basically piggybacking on the legitimate person’s entry. This can be a big security risk, especially for companies that handle sensitive information.

Let’s get into the details of this topic further.

What is Tailgating in Cyber Security?

Tailgating in cyber security is when someone sneaks into a secure place by following closely behind someone who has the right access. Imagine you’re going into your office, and a stranger walks right behind you. They slip in before the door shuts. That’s tailgating. They don’t have the right badge or code but sneak in using someone else’s access.

In cyber security, tailgating is a kind of trick called social engineering. It tricks people into breaking security rules without realizing it.
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How to Spot a Tailgater

Tailgaters can be anyone! They might look completely innocent, but here are some red flags:

• Overly Eager Company: If someone seems too eager to go with you into a secure place.

• Door Holder Without Reason: If someone holds the door open for you, especially if they seem unfamiliar and don’t need to.

• Distraction Tactics: If someone tries to distract you while you’re using your keycard to enter.

• No Badge Use: If someone gets into a secure area without using a badge or key card, they might be tailgating.

• Close Following: If someone walks very closely behind you, they might be trying to tailgate.

Who is Most at Risk for Tailgating Attacks?

Employees who trust others easily or aren’t careful about security can be targets. New staff who don’t know everyone well might not follow security rules.

Jobs with lots of turnover make it easier for attackers to blend in. Senior executives are also targets due to their high access.

Organizations with sensitive info, like financial or healthcare firms, are prime targets. Government offices are also at risk from tailgating, which can bypass digital security measures.

How to Avoid Tailgating

Here’s how you can be a good security teammate and prevent tailgating:

• Always Use Your Badge: Use your badge or key card every time you enter a secure area.

• Don’t Hold Doors for Strangers: Even if it seems impolite, don’t hold the door open for people you don’t know, especially in secure places.

• Report Anything Suspicious: If you see someone who looks like they shouldn’t be there or is trying to follow you, tell security right away.

• Don’t share access codes. Everyone should have their own.

How to Prevent Tailgating

Here are some things organizations can do to make tailgating harder:

Use Security Cameras

Cameras watch entry points to catch anyone trying to tailgate.

Use Turnstiles or Mantraps

These turnstiles or mantraps doors only let one person through at a time, stopping tailgaters.

Teach Everyone

You can conduct regular security awareness training to teach employees about tailgating.

Piggybacking vs. Tailgating

In cyber security, “piggybacking” is like tailgating but a bit different. With piggybacking, the person being followed knows the follower and lets them in, maybe thinking they’re being nice.

Both are risky because they let unauthorized people into secure places. It’s important to avoid both to keep places safe.

Examples and Non-Examples

To make it clearer, let’s look at some examples and non-examples of tailgating:

• Example of Tailgating: A stranger slips in behind an employee who used their badge to enter.

• Non-Example of Tailgating: An employee holding the door open for a known colleague with the proper credentials.

• Example of Piggybacking: An employee letting in someone who asks for help getting inside, thinking they’re doing a good deed.

• Non-Example of Piggybacking: A security guard checking IDs before letting anyone through a secure door.

How Bantech Cyber Can Help

Bantech Cyber helps your business stay safe from cyber attacks. We act like your own cybersecurity team, using advanced tools to protect your data around the clock.

We watch for threats using artificial intelligence and machine learning, making sure your defenses are strong and up-to-date. We also train your staff to spot phishing and other tricks used by hackers.

With Bantech Cyber, you can focus on running your business without worrying about technology threats.

Contact us now for our Managed Cyber Security service!

Wrapping Up

So, that’s all about — “What is Tailgating in Cyber Security?” Tailgating is a tricky and risky trick in cyber security. To stop it and keep your workplace safe, watch out for signs, like strangers in secure areas. Don’t do risky things, and use strong security. Everyone needs to care about security. Stay watchful and tell if something seems wrong.

Understanding and using these tips helps keep your company safe from tailgating and other sneaky tricks. Stay safe and secure!