Physical Security – Tailgating

 

Tailgating (also referred to as piggybacking)is a social engineering technique meant to give an individual physical access to an area without proper authorization.

At its most basic, the attacker will wait for an authorized person to use their access card or a biometric credential to open an electronic access control door. They’ll then walk in behind them before the door shuts.

More sophisticated tailgating may see the attacker stand near the security door with their arms full of files or other office stationery. When an authorized person approaches the door, the attacker will claim they cannot get their authorization card because their hands are full.They, therefore, guilt-trip the person to open the door for them