Tailgating, also known as piggybacking, is when someone who isn’t authorized sneaks into a secure area by following someone who is allowed to enter. It’s a straightforward yet effective way for unauthorized individuals to bypass security measures, often relying on a blend of human error and clever tactics.
Think about it: you might have a retinal scanner in place to prevent unauthorized access. Everything seems secure until an employee opens the door for someone behind them, not realizing they’re allowing an intruder in out of mere politeness. This kind of kindness can backfire, leading to serious risks like data breaches, financial loss, or damage to property.
Now, how does tailgating happen? Most often, an unauthorized person trails an employee through a door because the employee held it open. Some more cunning individuals may impersonate authorized personnel, using a disguise or false pretexts to gain access. There are other scenarios where doors are left ajar, such as when maintenance is being done, or when someone pretends to be a delivery person asking an employee to hold the door.
The tendency of people to be courteous plays into this. Many of us trust others and assume that if someone’s behind us, they belong there. It’s common in busy buildings where tracking who’s coming and going becomes difficult. When employees don’t follow best security practices—either from carelessness or lack of training—tailgating risks multiply.
The fallout from tailgating can be severe. Malicious individuals may aim to steal, vandalize, or even install spyware. A determined intruder might gain access to sensitive areas and compromise entire networks, targeting valuable equipment or information.
So, what can organizations do to prevent tailgating? First, ensure doors close quickly and securely. Installing access control systems that require individual authentication can help. Biometric scanners and turnstiles allow one person to enter at a time, thwarting tailgating attempts.
Requiring employees and visitors to wear clearly visible photo IDs makes it easier to spot anyone who shouldn’t be there. Pair this with video surveillance; visible cameras can deter potential tailgaters.
Adding multifactor authentication for secure areas enhances security. Implementing a combination of access cards, fingerprints, or retina scans ensures that only authorized individuals can enter.
Security guards also play a critical role, trained to question anyone who seems out of place or isn’t wearing proper identification. Enhanced measures, like laser sensors and mantraps, restrict entry to just one person at a time and stop unauthorized access.
Education is essential too. Employees need training to recognize and combat tailgating. They should understand security best practices, such as never holding doors for others, reporting suspicious behavior, and always ensuring that doors to sensitive areas are closed.
Creating a culture of cybersecurity awareness reinforces these habits and empowers employees to take active steps in protecting their workplace.