What is Tailgating in Cyber Security?

Tailgating is a social engineering attack that hackers use to gain access to password-protected or other off-limits, software-protected physical locations. An unauthorized person follows an authorized person into a restricted access area. Vulnerable businesses can include:

• Organizations with multiple entrance points
• Organizations with large numbers of employees
• Office spaces where employees move from meeting to meeting across buildings and corridors

Tailgating social engineers may try to gain access to these businesses by following closely behind a regular employee so that, when they open a heavy door, they grab it before it closes. It may also be possible for one of the hackers to start talking to employees and leverage familiarity to get into secured areas. They will attempt to pressure or psychologically manipulate employees into unwittingly helping them. Their entry can negatively impact the organization by causing a data breach, stealing money, or destroying or damaging property.

Tailgating vs Piggybacking

Tailgating can also include another type of social engineering called piggybacking. These types of attacks also gain entry into restricted areas, but people with access permissions are aware of providing unauthorized access entry to an intruder.

What is Social Engineering in Cyber Security?

Social engineering exploits human error to gain private information, access, or valuables. In cybercrime, scams tend to lure unsuspecting employees or users into exposing data, spreading malware infections, or giving access to restricted systems. Attacks can happen online, in person, and via other interactions. They are trying to:

• Disrupt or corrupt data to cause harm or inconvenience
• Obtain valuables like information, access, or money

How to Prevent a Tailgating Attack

To stop tailgating attacks, it requires proper preparation and employee education. If there is a reception area, it should be properly staffed to help distribute visitor badges or help monitor video surveillance. Identification systems are also important to help prevent tailgating.

Employees should also adhere to security best practices. They should receive regular training pertaining to the latest social engineering tactics. Employee education not only helps prevent tailgating threats, but also other attack types from phishing to ransomware to email scams.

Protect Your Business from Cyber Criminals

Cybercrime is one of the biggest threats to businesses across multiple industries, especially those that have privacy laws to abide by. They circumvent security measures and exploit vulnerabilities in infrastructure and software to steal content and data, methods like tailgating and phishing included.

Cybersecurity software helps:

• Minimize the risk of products and services being stolen
• Monitor application and infrastructure vulnerability with scanning, security testing, reviews, and remote access testing
• Identify, analyze, verify, and remove illegitimate advertisements and websites
• Take appropriate legal action against cyber criminals

Partner with PacGenesis for Cyber Security Solutions

Protect your business by implementing cyber security measures. PacGenesis partners with the best providers of cybersecurity to help your business prevent attacks like tailgating with software and education. We are always staying up-to-date on the latest cutting-edge security solutions that help protect your business and employees. Contact us to find out what solutions best suit your company and its needs.
To learn more about PacGenesis, follow @PacGenesis on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or visit us at pacgenesis.com.

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