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tailgating
Tailgating
Tailgating (also called piggybacking) is a physical social engineering attack where an unauthorized person follows an authorized individual into a restricted area. The attacker exploits social norms and politeness to gain physical access to buildings, server rooms, or other secured spaces.
How to identify
- Someone asks you to hold the door to a secure area
- A person without visible credentials follows you through security
- Unknown individuals in restricted areas without escort
- People claiming to have forgotten their access badge
- Delivery personnel requesting access without prior notification
- Someone rushing to catch the door as it closes behind you
- Unfamiliar faces in badge-required zones
How to prevent
- Never hold doors for unknown individuals in secure areas
- Always verify the identity and credentials of visitors
- Report tailgating attempts to security personnel
- Use turnstiles or mantraps in high-security areas
- Implement visitor management and escort policies
- Train employees on physical security awareness
- Install security cameras at all access points
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