Tailgating and Piggybacking in Cyber Security

Employee awareness is key to preventing unauthorized access through tailgating and piggybacking. These social engineering threats allow criminals to infiltrate secure areas by following authorized staff. Though often overlooked, proper training and protocols can effectively stop these intrusions.

What’s the Difference?

Tailgating is when someone trails an unwitting employee through a secured entrance without proper credentials. Piggybacking involves a malicious insider coordinating access for the outsider. Both exploit courtesy and a lack of vigilance.

Common Techniques to Watch For

1. Attackers use various tricks to slip inside unnoticed:
2. Walking closely behind employees to sneak through doors opened for them
3. Impersonating a courier with a fake delivery
4. Pretending their hands are full so you’ll assist with doors
5. Claiming they forgot their access badge
6. Asserting an employee invited them

With some prior research, criminals can sound quite credible. But awareness of these techniques allows staff to spot red flags.

Consequences of Physical Intrusion

Once inside restricted areas, bad actors can steal equipment, install malware, encrypt data, and exfiltrate sensitive information. So while cyber threats grab headlines, physical access can cause equal damage. One survey revealed 3/4 of security leaders don’t monitor tailgating thoroughly enough, leaving organizations dangerously exposed.

Who’s Most at Risk?

Companies with the following qualities are prime targets:

1. Multiple entry points
2. High turnover opening insider knowledge holes
3. Numerous meeting rooms and scattered IT resources
4. More doors and rooms make oversight difficult. Ex-staff have intimate access details.

Effective Prevention Strategies

1. Require biometrics, passcodes, keys to control access
2. Educate staff on recognizing and stopping tailgating
3. Run awareness campaigns against holding doors open
4. Staff receptions to screen unusual visitors

Employees should also:

1. Watch for followers near secured areas
2. Refuse entry to anyone lacking credentials
3. Report shady activity immediately
4. Escort questionable people to reception
5. Notify security about malfunctioning doors

Stopping Threats at the Entrance

Staying alert is crucial against sly physical attacks. Criminals don’t need cyber tricks when you allow them inside. Proper access controls, training, and vigilant staff form the best defense by keeping threats literally locked out. Tailgating and piggybacking demand awareness and readiness to harden your organization.