{"id":14590,"date":"2023-11-14T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-14T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businessyield.com\/tech\/?p=14590"},"modified":"2023-11-13T19:08:43","modified_gmt":"2023-11-13T19:08:43","slug":"what-is-tailgating-in-cybersecurity-how-to-prevent-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businessyield.com\/tech\/technology\/what-is-tailgating-in-cybersecurity-how-to-prevent-it\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Tailgating in Cybersecurity & How to Prevent It","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

Despite the preventive measures we take when we work online to safeguard ourselves from phishing and cyberattacks, it\u2019s equally important to ensure we don\u2019t overlook the physical aspects of security breaches. One such that has become rather common in cybersecurity is tailgating. <\/p>

A common type of security threat to organizations, tailgating offers ways for hackers, thieves, and unsavory characters to physically access restricted areas, by targeting unsuspecting employees. <\/p>

However, companies are already taking steps to protect themselves against this. According to a report generated by Globe NewsWire, the tailgating detection system market is expected to skyrocket from $63.5 million in 2021 to $99.5 million by 2028.<\/p>

What is tailgating in cybersecurity?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>

Tailgating is a form of a social engineering attack where an unauthorized individual breaches a company\u2019s security system to physically access, steal, or compromise its data. An unauthorized person gains physical access to an off-limits location \u2014 perhaps a password-protected area \u2014 where they might steal sensitive information, damage property, compromise user credentials or even install malware on computers.<\/p>

\u201cPiggybacking\u201d is closely related to tailgating, but it involves consent from the duped employee. These individuals usually convince an authorized person to allow them entry into a password-protected area and gain access to sensitive information.\u00a0<\/p>

So, while a worker might be unaware that someone has tailgated them into a restricted area with piggybacking, the hacker might convince a worker to provide access because they are posing as, say, a delivery driver.<\/p>

Tailgating attacks vs. piggybacking attacks<\/strong><\/h3>

While the objective of tailgating and piggybacking is essentially the same, there is a key difference between them. <\/p>

Tailgating in cybersecurity refers to social engineering attacks where an unauthorized person looks to gain access from an unaware individual. Piggybacking attacks are coordinated in nature, where an authorized entity provides access to an unauthorized individual in a secure environment. Tailgating requires no consent while piggybacking requires the consent of an authorized person.<\/p>

How tailgating works<\/strong><\/h2>

Tailgating can occur in nuanced ways that do not arouse suspicion; in the most banal way. <\/p>

For example, it could be in the form of someone in disguise, either pretending to be a delivery person or a repairman. They could then ask an employee to give them access to a restricted, authorized-personnel-only area. Their excuse for \u2018help\u2019 could be that their hands are full (and hence are unable to adhere to any biometric protocol in place at the point of entry). The unsuspecting party complies and the unauthorized person has found a way in. <\/p>

Alternatively, it could even be something as simple as the unauthorized person following closely behind an employee without their knowledge\u2014essentially tailgating them.\u00a0<\/p>

Some of the most common ways of a tailgating attack include:<\/p>