An act of gaining access to restricted areas and systems by following an authorized user is called what?

An act of gaining access to restricted areas and systems by following an authorized user is called what?

• A. Tailgating
• B. Phishing
• C. Trespass
• D. Break-in

Answer: (A)

Tailgating is the act of gaining access to restricted areas by following an authorized person through a door or gate. It hinges on exploiting the trust and routine behavior of someone who has already authenticated, slipping in behind them before the door closes. This makes it a physical security breach that defeats access controls by leveraging human action rather than breaking in or guessing a credential. Phishing, by contrast, targets people to obtain credentials or sensitive information through deceptive electronic communications, not by physically following someone through a secured entry. Trespass means entering property without permission, but it doesn’t describe the specific method of piggybacking on an authorized user. Break-in refers to unlawful entry, often involving force or stealth, and does not capture the social tactic of tailgating. To reduce tailgating risk, organizations implement measures like anti-tailgating doors or turnstiles, stricter badge access with alerts, visitor management, and security awareness training that reminds people not to let others piggyback through doors.

Tailgating is the act of gaining access to restricted areas by following an authorized person through a door or gate. It hinges on exploiting the trust and routine behavior of someone who has already authenticated, slipping in behind them before the door closes. This makes it a physical security breach that defeats access controls by leveraging human action rather than breaking in or guessing a credential.

Phishing, by contrast, targets people to obtain credentials or sensitive information through deceptive electronic communications, not by physically following someone through a secured entry. Trespass means entering property without permission, but it doesn’t describe the specific method of piggybacking on an authorized user. Break-in refers to unlawful entry, often involving force or stealth, and does not capture the social tactic of tailgating.

To reduce tailgating risk, organizations implement measures like anti-tailgating doors or turnstiles, stricter badge access with alerts, visitor management, and security awareness training that reminds people not to let others piggyback through doors.