Insecurity in Plain Sight: Tailscale Report Reveals Widespread Security Control Bypasses and Lingering Access
A new report released by Tailscale, a leader in secure networking solutions, has shed light on a concerning trend within the engineering community: a significant majority of engineers bypass established security controls, and a substantial number retain access to company systems even after their departure. The findings, published by PR Newswire Telecommunications on July 22, 2025, paint a stark picture of the challenges organizations face in maintaining robust cybersecurity in today’s dynamic tech landscape.
The report, titled “New Tailscale Report Finds 83% of Engineers Bypass Security Controls, 68% Retain Access After Leaving,” indicates that a striking 83% of engineers surveyed have, at some point, bypassed their organization’s security controls. This behavior, while often driven by a desire for efficiency or to overcome perceived roadblocks to productivity, can create significant vulnerabilities. These bypasses could range from using unauthorized personal devices to connect to company networks, to circumventing multi-factor authentication protocols for quicker access, or even sharing credentials.
Perhaps even more alarming is the statistic revealing that 68% of engineers retain access to company systems after leaving their organization. This points to a critical gap in offboarding processes and access management. When former employees retain access, it opens the door to potential data breaches, intellectual property theft, or unauthorized system modifications. The report suggests that current methods for revoking access are either inefficient, incomplete, or not consistently applied, leaving a residual risk profile for businesses.
These findings are particularly relevant in the context of the modern, often distributed, workforce. As engineers frequently work remotely or in hybrid environments, reliance on secure and well-managed access becomes paramount. The report implies that traditional perimeter-based security models may no longer be sufficient to address the realities of contemporary engineering workflows.
The implications of these statistics are far-reaching. For organizations, it highlights the urgent need to re-evaluate their current security postures and access management strategies. This includes not only implementing strong technical controls but also fostering a culture of security awareness and ensuring that policies are understood and adhered to. Furthermore, a robust and streamlined offboarding process is essential to mitigate the risks associated with former employees retaining access.
While the report may seem daunting, it serves as a valuable call to action. By understanding these prevalent issues, organizations can proactively address them, implement more effective security solutions, and ultimately build a more resilient and secure digital infrastructure. The insights provided by Tailscale’s report underscore the ongoing evolution of cybersecurity needs and the importance of adaptive, modern approaches to protecting sensitive data and systems.
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PR Newswire Telecommunications published ‘New Tailscale Report Finds 83% of Engineers Bypass Security Controls, 68% Retain Access After Leaving’ at 2025-07-22 13:00. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.