What is a Tailgating Attack?
A tailgating attack is a security breach where an unauthorized person gains entry to a restricted area. The unauthorized person achieves it by closely following someone with legitimate access. Such attacks may be carried out to steal sensitive information, damage important property, or even install malware.
Consider the following example of a tailgating attack. Someone is following you close behind as you swipe your badge to enter a building. That individual would not require their own badge as they entered discreetly immediately after you. A tailgating attack is a type of social engineering attack because it tricks people, specifically ones with access badges. Sometimes, attackers may combine the attack with other social engineering techniques. These include a phishing email or vishing attacks.
Which Entities are Susceptible to Tailgating Attacks?
Individuals and organizations, alike are at the risk of tailgating attacks. The following are the cases where the risk of tailgating attacks is most viable.
Individual Level:
- New Employees who are unfamiliar with security protocols and coworkers.
- Individuals who are overly trusting or unaware of social engineering tactics.
- Someone rushing into a building might be less likely to question someone following them closely behind.
Organizational Level:
- Organizations with many entry points or a lot of foot traffic.
- Organizations with high turnover confuse who has legitimate access.
- Places with weak access control systems or poorly trained security staff.
- Organizations that handle sensitive data or have restricted areas are prime targets for tailgating attacks.
Tailgating Methods and Examples
- Direct Follow: In this tailgating cyber attack method, the attacker directly follows an authorized person through a secure entry point. The attacker does it without presenting any credentials or access badge. This includes walking closely behind an employee entering a secure building, and exploiting the employee's access privileges.
- Social Engineering: Tailgating attacks can also involve social engineering techniques where the attacker manipulates or deceives individuals to gain access. For instance, the attacker may pretend to be a delivery driver, maintenance worker, or someone who belongs to the facility, gaining the trust of employees and tailgating them into secure areas.
- Impersonation: Tailgating attacks can easily deceive security personnel by using the impersonation trick. This method involves the attacker disguising himself as an authorized individual, such as wearing a uniform or badge that resembles those worn by employees with access.
- Tailgating with Equipment: In some cases, tailgating attackers may use equipment or props to appear legitimate while tailgating. For instance, carrying boxes or equipment that make it seem like they are there for a specific purpose, such as a delivery person or a maintenance worker, can help them blend in and avoid suspicion.
- Exploiting Busy Entry Points: Attackers might focus on busy entry points or when security is distracted, making it easier to sneak in unnoticed. For instance, during busy times or when many people enter a building together, a tailgating attacker can blend in easily.
- Tailgating During Events: Tailgating attacks can happen at events or gatherings when security is less strict or when people aren't paying close attention. Attackers use crowded settings to easily gain unauthorized access unnoticed.
- Tailgating with Insider Assistance: Tailgating attack examples include attackers collaborating with insiders who have legitimate access to facilitate the attack. This insider assistance can make it easier for the attacker to bypass security measures undetected and carry out their malicious intentions.
Process of a Tailgating Attack
Step 1: The Opportunity
The attacker identifies an authorized person entering a restricted area. This could be at a building entrance, security checkpoint, or any access point requiring identification.
Step 2: Positioning
In the direct fellow method, the attacker positions themselves strategically, close behind the authorized person as they approach the access point. The goal is to follow them through the opening before it closes.
Step 3: Gaining Access
When the authorized person uses their badge, the tailgater slips in right behind them. In some cases, the attacker might even try to casually chat with the authorized person to appear familiar and encourage them to hold the door open.
Step 4: Inside the Secure Area
Once inside, the attacker has breached the physical security barrier of an organization. They can carry out their motives ranging from stealing sensitive data to launching other cyberattacks from within the secure network.
Difference Between Tailgating and Piggybacking
Tailgating and piggybacking, although treated as synonyms, have some key differences as follows:
| Aspect | Tailgating | Piggybacking |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Tailgating attack meaning an attacker sneaking in without the knowledge of the person providing access. | Piggybacking occurs when an authorized user knowingly grants access to an unauthorized individual. |
| Awareness | The authorized person is typically unaware that someone is following them. | The authorized person is usually aware that they are letting someone in. |
| Intent | The tailgater's goal is to sneak into restricted areas. | The goal is to gain unauthorized access. |
| Risk level | Hard to detect and prevent as most tactics rely on stealth and deception. | Easier to detect with strict vigilance and monitoring. |
Preventing Tailgating Attacks
Organizations aiming to prevent tailgating attacks should take a unique approach combining various security measures and practices.
Access Control Systems
- Access cards: Enterprises should require employees to use their access cards or key fobs to enter restricted areas. Cards should not be shared, and lost cards should be reported immediately.
- Biometric authentication: Biometric identifiers such as fingerprints, iris scans, or facial recognition should be in place to verify the identity of individuals. Biometrics are difficult to replicate, thereby enhancing the security of organizations.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA): In addition to access cards or biometrics, organizations can combine them with another form of authentication, such as a PIN or password, for added security. Such kind of 2FA two-factor authentication adds an additional security layer for organizations.
- Zero trust security model: With the principle of ‘never trust, always verify,’ the Zero Trust Security Model prevents tailgating attacks by requiring continuous authentication and authorization for every access attempt, even within trusted networks.
Physical Security Measures
Mantraps and Mantles: These physical security features create a two-door entry system. They have an intermediate space that requires separate authorization for each door. This allows only one person to pass through at a time.
Turnstiles: Turnstiles are mechanical or electronic gates that allow the passage of one person at a time, preventing any chance of tailgating.
Security Doors with Delay: By introducing a time delay between the entry of authorized individuals and the subsequent opening of the door for the next person, enterprises can reduce the chances of tailgating.
Employee Awareness and Training
- Security Culture: Organizations should foster a culture of security awareness where employees strictly understand the importance of physical security measures.
- Tailgating Recognition: Training should include employees to identify suspicious behavior, like someone lingering near access points or following closely behind them.
- Social Engineering Techniques: Companies should educate and create awareness of social engineering tactics that tailgating attackers may use to trick them into granting access.
What is Zero Trust Network Access?
The term zero trust, coined by Forrester’s Kindervag in 2010, is an approach to the strategy, design, and implementation of IT systems. Based on the concept of zero trust, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), or perimeter-less security, are security products or solutions that follow the idea of 'Never trust, always verify'.
This means that every entity—user, device, application, or system—on the network must be verified before being granted access, as nothing is trusted by default. This applies to everything, even if the entity was previously connected and verified to the network.
What are ZTNA Solutions and How They Help Prevent a Tailgating Attack?
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solutions encompass various technologies and approaches aimed at implementing the principles of Zero Trust in network security. Some common ZTNA solutions include Identity and Access Management (IAM), Secure Web Gateways (SWG), Network Access Control (NAC) and so on.
These solutions protect your organization by using the principles of zero trust. This will help organizations prevent any unauthorized or malicious entry into their networks or systems. ZTNA solutions prevent tailgating attacks by the following:
- Identity Verification: ZTNA solutions emphasize the continuous need for verification and authorization of any user identity and device before granting them access. This includes strong authentication methods such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), biometric verification, and device health checks. This disrupts the tailgating attack’s assumption that an authorized user's access is automatically valid for others nearby.
- Microsegmentation: Based on the principle of least privilege, ZTNA solutions break down the network into smaller, isolated segments with each segment having its own access controls. This limits the scope of access even if the tailgating attacker managed to gain access to one segment. They will be restricted from moving laterally to other segments without proper authorization.
- Continuous Monitoring: ZTNA solutions rely on continuous monitoring of user and device behavior using tools like User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA). Unusual activity or access attempts from unauthorized locations could trigger alerts and investigations, potentially revealing tailgating attempts.
Prevent Tailgating Attacks with Sangfor
Sangfor Access Secure: Sangfor Access Secure platform can audit all traffic - external and internal – and protect the enterprise from any tailgating attempts. It verifies user identity through authentication - granting only authorized business applications access governed by predefined policies and user profiles. This will help organizations weed out any possibility of tailgating attacks.
Deploying SASE solution Sangfor Access Secure gives organizations consistent network security from malware, viruses, and ransomware. Especially, if there is a ransomware attack, possibly after a tailgating attack, deploying Sangfor Endpoint Secure will detect and kill it within 3 seconds. Watch the video below for details.
Sangfor Internet Access Gateway (IAG): Sangfor IAG enables organizations to identify, analyze and take immediate action upon user internet access behavior. It offers full visibility to find if there is any bad behavior in the encrypted traffic, possibly from tailgating attacks. It reduces sneak attempts through user identity analytics - who is using what applications and when it is used on your network.
Final Thoughts on Tailgating Attack
A tailgating attack is a physical security breach where unauthorized individuals gain entry to restricted areas by closely following authorized personnel. Preventing tailgating attacks requires a combination of access control systems, physical security measures, employee awareness, and training.
Sangfor's Access Secure platform, for example, provides robust authentication and access control measures, ensuring that only authorized users gain access to business applications. Combining these security measures can significantly mitigate the risks posed by tailgating attacks and enhance overall network security. To know more about these solutions, visit our website www.sangfor.com, or contact us.
Tailgating Attack Frequently Asked Questions
Tailgating is a physical security breach that refers to unauthorized access to a secured area or system by following closely behind an authorized person. The malicious person exploits the trust established with an authorized person to carry out the tailgating attack.
An example of a tailgating attack is when an attacker follows closely behind an authorized person to enter a restricted area without proper authentication. They take advantage of the people’s natural tendency to hold doors open or move through access points quickly.
Tailgating attacks pose risks such as unauthorized access to sensitive information and potential theft of physical assets. It also included the introduction of malware or malicious devices into secure areas, and the compromise of overall security protocols.
By implementing access control systems, such as biometric authentication, access cards, and two-factor authentication (2FA), organizations can prevent tailgating attacks. Physical security measures like mantraps, turnstiles, and employee training on recognizing suspicious behavior also help.
Tailgating can lead to data breaches, cyberattacks, and financial losses. Once inside, the perpetrator may steal confidential data, and access the company’s network. They could even infect an unlocked computer with malware.
Tailgating is a serious security threat because it bypasses other security measures. Even a single successful attempt can have significant consequences. It could lead to more elaborate assaults on the organizations including malware attacks.
