Glossary
Tailgating
Tailgating is when someone sneaks into a secure building by following closely behind an employee who opens the door. They might pretend to be a delivery person, act like they forgot their badge, or just catch the door before it closes. Once inside, they can access computers, plant bugs, or steal equipment.
What is Tailgating?
A physical security breach where an unauthorized person follows an authorized person into a restricted area, bypassing security controls through social manipulation.
Why Should You Care?
Tailgating eliminates the security boundary that badge readers and access controls are designed to enforce, allowing attackers to bypass layers of defensive infrastructure without technical skill. A successful tailgate grants an attacker proximity to physical assets—servers, workstations, network switches—where they can deploy malware via USB, exfiltrate data, or sabotage infrastructure in minutes. Organizations with poor escort policies and security awareness face breaches that begin not with a password crack, but an unlocked door.
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Real-World Example
An attacker posing as a delivery driver or facilities contractor waits near a secured entrance and slips through behind an employee who holds the door open out of courtesy. Once inside, the intruder can reach an unattended workstation, connect a USB device to install credential-harvesting malware, or photograph sensitive documents—all without ever presenting valid credentials. A similar approach has an attacker claiming to be a new hire who "forgot their badge," relying on social pressure so no one challenges them.
How to Protect Against Tailgating
- 1.
Never hold doors for unknown individuals
- 2.
Install turnstiles or mantraps in sensitive areas
- 3.
Train all employees on tailgating awareness
Related Terms
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