What Is Tailgating in Cyber Security?

Tailgating is a significant concern in the field of cyber security. It refers to an unauthorised individual gaining access to secured premises or systems by following someone with legitimate access.

We explore tailgating in cyber security, its forms, potential consequences, preventive measures, and future trends.

Understanding the concept of tailgating in cyber security

When it comes to cyber security, tailgating refers to the act of physically or digitally following someone with authorised access into a restricted area or system.

The goal is to bypass security measures and gain entry without detection. This severely threatens the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and systems.

The basic definition of tailgating in cyber security

At its core, tailgating in cyber security involves an unauthorised person accompanying an authorised individual through secure checkpoints or entrances.

This can occur in various environments, such as office buildings, data centres, or server rooms. The unauthorised person takes advantage of the legitimate individual’s access rights, exploiting their trust and willingness to grant them entry.

In office buildings, tailgating can be a common occurrence. Employees often open the door for colleagues or visitors without verifying their identity or authorisation.

This act of kindness can inadvertently compromise the security of the entire organisation. It only takes one moment of trust to allow a potential threat to enter and wreak havoc on the network.

Tailgating in cyber security can have severe consequences in data centres where sensitive information is stored.

These facilities are designed to have strict access controls to ensure that only authorised personnel can enter.

However, a single instance of tailgating can expose the entire infrastructure to unauthorised individuals. The potential for data breaches, theft, or sabotage becomes a significant concern.

Why tailgating in cyber security is a significant issue

The trust-based nature of tailgating makes it a concerning issue in cyber security. While organisations invest in robust security measures, an individual can compromise them simply by holding the door open for someone they do not recognise.

This breach can lead to data breaches, theft, or unauthorised access to sensitive information.

Imagine a scenario where an employee, rushing to get to a meeting, holds the door open for a stranger who claims to have forgotten their access card.

Unbeknownst to the employee, this stranger is a malicious actor who intends to gain unauthorised access to the company’s network.

With just a few seconds of tailgating, the attacker can infiltrate the system, potentially compromising critical data and causing significant damage.

To mitigate the risk of tailgating in cyber security, organisations must implement a multi-layered approach to security.

This includes technological solutions such as access control systems, surveillance cameras, biometric authentication and comprehensive employee training and awareness programs.

Organisations can significantly reduce the likelihood of successful unauthorised entry by educating employees about the dangers of tailgating and emphasising the importance of verifying identities.

In conclusion, tailgating in cyber security is a significant issue due to its ability to exploit trust and bypass security measures.

Organisations must prioritise tailgating prevention by implementing robust security measures and educating employees about the risks involved. By doing so, they can better protect their data, systems, and overall cyber infrastructure from potential threats.

The different forms of tailgating in cyber security

Tailgating can manifest in various forms, depending on the context and medium the unauthorised person utilises.

These forms can be broadly classified as physical tailgating and digital tailgating.

Physical tailgating in cyber security

In a physical tailgating scenario, an unauthorised person physically follows an authorised individual into a secured area or facility.

They exploit the genuine person’s access rights and navigate through checkpoints or swipe-card systems without proper authorisation.

Imagine a bustling office building with multiple floors and restricted access areas. Employees diligently swipe their access cards to enter these secure zones, confident that only authorised personnel can gain entry.

However, physical tailgating poses a significant threat to this security measure. An unauthorised person, dressed inconspicuously and blending in with the crowd, spots an employee with legitimate access and tailgates them.

As the employee swipes their card, the tailgater swiftly follows, slipping through the door before it closes.

This way, the tailgater gains unauthorised access to confidential areas, potentially compromising sensitive information or physical assets.

Physical tailgating is wider than in office buildings.

It can also occur in other environments, such as data centres or research facilities, where access control is crucial.

The consequences of physical tailgating can be severe, ranging from data breaches to intellectual property theft.

Digital tailgating and its implications

Digital tailgating occurs when an unauthorised individual gains access to digital systems or accounts by following someone with legitimate access.

This form of tailgating often takes place through phishing or social engineering techniques. The unauthorised person tricks or manipulates the legitimate person into revealing sensitive information or granting access.

Imagine a scenario where an employee receives an email that appears to be from their company’s IT department.

The email states that there has been a security breach and urges the employee to click on a link to change their password immediately.

Unbeknownst to the employee, this email is a phishing attempt carefully crafted by a cybercriminal. The employee, concerned about the security of their account, clicks on the link and is redirected to a fake login page.

Believing it to be genuine, they enter their username and password, unknowingly granting the cybercriminal access to their account.

Once the cybercriminal gains access, they can navigate through the digital systems, potentially compromising sensitive data, installing malware, or launching attacks within the network.

Digital tailgating can have far-reaching implications for the individual whose account is compromised and the entire organisation’s cyber security posture.

Individuals and organisations must remain vigilant against digital tailgating attempts.

Education and awareness about phishing techniques, strong password practices, and multi-factor authentication are essential in mitigating the risks associated with this form of tailgating.

The potential consequences of tailgating in cyber security

The consequences of tailgating extend beyond the immediate breach of security measures. They can impact personal data, privacy, corporate security, and integrity.

Risks to personal data and privacy

Tailgating puts personal data at risk as unauthorised individuals gain access to systems where sensitive information is stored.

This can result in identity theft, financial loss, or exposure to personal details.

Additionally, tailgating compromises privacy, as unauthorised individuals can monitor or misuse personal information.

Threats to corporate security and integrity

For organisations, tailgating poses a severe threat to security and integrity.

Unauthorised individuals can gain access to critical systems, compromising sensitive data and exposing proprietary information.

This impacts the organisation’s reputation and can result in financial losses or legal consequences.

Preventive measures against tailgating in cyber security

Organisations should implement preventive measures that combine robust security protocols and employee education and awareness to mitigate the risk of tailgating.

Implementing robust security protocols

Organisations should invest in access control systems, such as key cards, biometric scanners, or security personnel, to prevent physical tailgating.

These measures ensure that only authorised individuals can enter restricted areas. Organisations should regularly review and update security protocols to address emerging threats and vulnerabilities.

The role of employee education and awareness

Employee education and awareness are crucial in preventing both physical and digital tailgating.

Employees should be trained to recognise and report suspicious individuals or activities.

They should also be educated about the risks associated with tailgating and how to protect sensitive information. Regular security awareness programs can reinforce best practices and increase employee vigilance.

Future trends in tailgating and cyber security

As technology advances, new tailgating in cyber security techniques emerge, necessitating innovative prevention and detection methods.

Emerging techniques of tailgating in cyber security

Criminals continue to devise new ways to bypass security measures and gain unauthorised access.

One example is wearable devices, such as smartwatches or augmented reality glasses, to deceive security systems.

Organisations must stay informed about these emerging techniques and adapt their security measures accordingly.

Innovations in tailgating prevention and detection

Cyber security constantly evolves, and researchers and industry experts continually develop innovative methods to combat tailgating.

This includes advancements in biometric authentication, artificial intelligence, and real-time monitoring systems.

These innovations enhance security measures and enable prompt detection and response to tailgating attempts.

Conclusion

Tailgating in cyber security poses a severe threat to the industry.

It can result in unauthorised access, data breaches, and compromise of personal or corporate information.

Organisations must invest in robust security protocols, educate employees, and stay vigilant regarding emerging techniques to mitigate this risk.

The field of cyber security must continually evolve to address the growing challenges posed by tailgating.

If you have an interest in the field of cyber security, you may want to check out the Cyber Security program offered by the Institute of Data.

Alternatively, feel free to contact our local team for a complimentary consultation on our programs.