What is Tailgating in Cyber Security? Definition, Examples & Prevention

Tailgating in cybersecurity is a physical security attack where an unauthorized person gains access to a restricted area by following an authorized individual through a controlled entry point without proper verification. 

Tailgating can be physical, but the motive may be digital. Once in, the intruder will access an unattended computer, document photographs of classified files, attach an unauthorized machine, steal equipment, or collect details about a future attack. In a federal, defense or regulated agency, any one unprotected door can open up your systems, data, and employees to high risks. 

The good news is that your organization can mitigate such threats through proper entry methods, training of employees, visitor control, and proper access review processes. It doesn’t mean you should always be suspicious of visitors to your organization. It means that convenience should never trump verification. 

What Is a Tailgating Attack in Cybersecurity? 

Tailgating is a physical access attack where a person who does not have legitimate credentials follows someone who has legitimate credentials into a secure area. This can happen when the authorized employee fails to notice that another person entered the area following them.  

For instance, an authorized employee uses a card to get into a secure office area. Someone carrying boxes gets close and asks, “Can you keep the door open for me?” The employee agrees and lets the person pass through without having their badge swiped or going through the security check. That’s tailgating. 

Tailgating is sometimes called piggybacking, still these terms can mean a slightly different thing in some contexts. When tailgating happens, the unauthorized entry occurs without any cooperation from the authorized person, or at least that’s how it is usually described. 

But when it comes to piggybacking, an authorized person lets another one enter. However, the consequence of both attacks will be the same – the system did not verify the presence of each person in the area. 

The National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST, points out that tailgating is basically a kind of social engineering. Their guidance also asks that organizations verify physical access permissions, then control the entry and exit points, keep and maintain access logs, escort visitors, and review the access authorization lists, from time to time. 

How Does a Tailgating Attack Work? 

Tailgating depends on a simple weakness: an employee allows someone to pass through a controlled entry without checking that person’s authorization. 

Attackers may use several methods: 

• Following closely behind an employee before the door closes. 

• Carrying boxes or equipment to appear busy or legitimate. 

• Pretending to be a delivery driver, contractor, maintenance worker, or new employee. 

• Claiming that a badge is not working. 

• Waiting near an entrance and asking employees to hold the door. 

• Entering behind a group of employees during a busy arrival period. 

• Using a door that someone has left kind of propped open a bit, like “it’ll be fine”.  

• Wearing clothes that seem to match what the organization’s staff or vendors wear. Not exactly the same, but close enough. 

A successful tailgating attempt does not always look that suspicious. The person might seem confident, use familiar wording, or push a bit of urgency. That is why physical security depends just as much on how employees behave, as it does on badge readers and cameras.    

Tailgating Attack Examples in Cybersecurity 

Following an Employee Through a Secure Access Door 

An unauthorized visitor waits outside a secure entrance. When an employee badges in, the visitor follows before the door closes. The visitor may walk toward a common area, look for an unattended workstation, or wait for an opportunity to enter a more restricted room. 

Pretending to Be a Contractor or Service Worker 

An attacker wears like a contractor badge, or they show up carrying a tool bag. They say to the employee that they’re responding to a facilities issue, while appearing to respond to a legitimate workplace need. If that employee lets them through without checking with reception or security first, the attacker can potentially slip into the offices, equipment rooms, or even the network closets. 

Using Delivery Personnel as a Tailgating Pretext 

A person arrives with packages and asks an employee to hold the door. The employee may assume the delivery belongs inside the building. Once inside, the person may leave the packages in a public area and move toward a restricted workspace. 

Entering During Busy Access Periods 

During shift changes, conferences, or those busy morning periods, a few people can come in at the same time, like all at once . An unauthorized person may just waltz in with the crowd and sorta slip past the individual checks without much fuss. This approach is especially risky when employees assume someone else checked the visitor. 

Exploiting Propped-Open Secure Doors 

An employee leaves a secure door open while moving equipment or taking a short break. Another person uses the open doorway to enter. The person may never need to defeat a badge reader because the physical control has already been bypassed. 

Accessing Unlocked Workstations After Entry 

After entering the building, an intruder finds an unlocked computer. They may view files, photograph screens, insert removable media, or place malware on the device. CrowdStrike lists unattended and unlocked devices, stolen credentials, session hijacking, phishing, and cross-site scripting among related digital access methods used to bypass security controls. 

This shows why physical and digital security cannot operate as separate concerns. Physical access can give an attacker a starting point for a technology-focused attack. 

Read more-Self-Paced Cyber Security Degree: What You Need to Know Before Enrolling 

The Psychology Behind Tailgating Attack 

Understanding the psychology behind why we let our guard down can help us be more vigilant in the future. It’s a complex interplay of social norms, emotional rewards, and cognitive biases. But being aware of these factors is the first step in guarding against them. 

Tailgating vs Piggybacking: Key Differences 

The two terms often appear together, but the difference is useful when you write policies and training materials. 

Both situations create risk. Your policy should require every person to use the approved entry process, even when the employee recognizes the visitor or wants to be helpful. 

Note: In many cybersecurity resources, tailgating and piggybacking are used interchangeably. The distinction above is mainly useful when creating physical security policies and employee training. 

Why Is Tailgating a Cybersecurity Risk? 

Tailgating gives attackers physical proximity to people, systems, and information. Once inside, an intruder may: 

• Access an unlocked workstation. 

• View printed documents or whiteboards. 

• Photograph screens, badges, or restricted areas. 

• Connect an unauthorized device to a network port. 

• Remove laptops, storage devices, or other equipment. 

• Locate server rooms, network closets, or security controls. 

• Gather information about names, roles, projects, and internal procedures. 

• Plant a device or return later with a more targeted plan. 

For organizations that handle controlled unclassified information, classified work, personal data, financial records, or proprietary systems, physical access controls are part of the security program. NIST SP 800-171 Revision 3 specifically calls for physical access authorization, entry controls, visitor escort procedures, access logs, and removal of access when it is no longer required. 

A badge reader only confirms that one credential was used. It does not automatically confirm that one authorized person entered. Your facility needs procedures that address the second person in the doorway. 

How to Prevent Tailgating Attacks in Cybersecurity? 

Enforce Individual Badge Access 

Do not allow employees to share badges or let another person enter under their authorization. Every employee, contractor, and approved visitor should use the credential assigned to them. 

If a badge fails, direct the person to reception or security. Do not bypass the process because the person appears familiar. 

Train Employees to Prevent Door Tailgating 

Your training should give employees a clear response: 

“I cannot let you enter through this door. Please check in at reception.” 

That sentence is simple and kind professional. Employees shouldn’t feel rushed or pushed to make exceptions for folks carrying boxes, wearing uniforms or saying they have an appointment. It’s better if it stays consistent, not improvising, every now and then. 

Use Visitor Management and Escort Procedures 

Visitors should sign in, present identification when required, receive a visible visitor badge, and remain with an authorized escort in restricted areas. Security or reception staff should know who is expected, who approved the visit, and where the visitor is allowed to go. 

NIST requires organizations to escort visitors and control visitor activity under defined conditions. Write those conditions into your policy instead of leaving them to individual judgment. 

Implement Physical Access Controls to Prevent Tailgating 

Depending on the facility, useful controls may include: 

• Badge readers. 

• Turnstiles. 

• Mantraps or security vestibules. 

• Video surveillance. 

• Security guards. 

• Door alarms. 

• Anti-passback settings. 

• Biometric authentication for high-risk areas. 

• Visitor management systems. 

• Motion or video analytics. 

CISA guidance recommends monitoring credential systems and using badge access checkpoints to reduce tailgating risk. Your security team should review whether the controls match the sensitivity of the space. 

Protect Restricted Areas With Additional Access Controls 

Do not rely on the main building entrance alone. Server rooms, security operations centers, records rooms, laboratories, and areas containing sensitive systems should have separate access controls. Limit access to people who need it for their assigned work. 

Review these permissions regularly. Remove access when a person changes roles, leaves the organization, or no longer needs entry. NIST requires organizations to maintain authorized access lists and remove individuals when access is no longer required. 

Secure Doors and Prevent Unauthorized Entry 

A secure door should close and lock after each person enters. Do not prop open doors unless there is a documented operational need and a compensating control in place. Report doors that fail to close, latch, or lock properly. 

Conduct Tailgating Awareness Training With Realistic Scenarios 

Annual security awareness training is still useful, but honestly short scenario based exercises can be a lot more effective. It’s like you can help employees see what tailgating really looks like, in their own workplace environment, not just in theory. 

So, show them what that kind of casual entry can mean when someone follows right behind, even if the person at the door doesn’t notice. 

• A person carrying a delivery box. 

• A contractor who says their badge is still being processed. 

• A former employee who asks to enter “for one minute.” 

• A visitor who says the receptionist already approved access. 

• Someone who waits for the busiest entry period. 

So, tell the employees exactly what to do, Training should cover how to refuse entry or decline politely, how to contact security right away, and how to report the incident in a calm way without sparking a confrontation. 

What to Do After a Suspected Tailgating Incident 

If an unknown person enters a restricted area, do not ignore it. Follow your incident procedure. 

1. Notify security or the designated facility contact. 

2. Record the time, location, and people involved. 

3. Preserve camera footage and access logs. 

4. Identify which rooms, workstations, devices, or documents the person could have accessed. 

5. Check whether any equipment, badges, or papers are missing. 

6. Notify the cybersecurity team if the person reached a computer, network port, or sensitive system. 

7. Review whether access permissions or visitor procedures failed. 

8. Update training or controls based on what happened. 

Don’t tell employees to look into a person, like themselves or anything. The security team should handle the whole response and figure out if law enforcement is required, or if the facility security officer should step in, or maybe the incident response team needs to get involved, depending on what’s happening. 

Tailgating Prevention Checklist for Organizations 

Use this checklist during a facility security review: 

• Can every employee explain the no-tailgating rule? 

• Do employees know how to challenge an unknown person respectfully? 

• Do visitors receive badges and escorts? 

• Are access lists reviewed on a defined schedule? 

• Are former employee and contractor credentials removed quickly? 

• Do restricted rooms have separate access controls? 

• Do doors close and lock without manual assistance? 

• Does security review entry logs and camera footage? 

• Are employees trained on delivery and contractor pretexts? 

• Is there a clear reporting process for suspected tailgating? 

• Are physical access incidents connected to cyber incident response? 

• Do updated facility images have accurate alt text if used in training materials? 

Your checklist should reflect the actual facility. A small office may need badge readers, visitor controls, and training. A high-security facility may need layered authentication, mantraps, guards, and continuous monitoring. 

Read more- What is Reconnaissance in Cyber Security? Definition, Types & Examples 

Conclusion: How Organizations Can Reduce Tailgating Risks 

Tailgating kind of works when employees treat secure entry like a courtesy instead of a real control, not everybody notices it at first. Your organization can reduce the risk by requiring individual badges, controlling the visitors, securing restricted spaces, reviewing access rosters, and teaching employees a clear “no” response when someone tries to slip in behind them.  

Physical security training should connect straight into your cybersecurity program. Employees should understand how an uninvited person inside the building can create trouble for devices, information, credentials, and mission operations, even if it seems small in the moment.  

If you want to build stronger cybersecurity awareness across your workforce, take a look at CCS Learning Academy’s cybersecurity training programs. CCSLA can help you pick training that matches your people, facilities, compliance requirements, and security objectives. So, ready to get the right learning plan for your organization. 

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