Understanding Tailgating Risks
Tailgating poses a serious security threat in various environments. This tactic occurs when an unauthorized individual discreetly follows someone with legitimate access, entering a restricted area without proper clearance. The incident can unfold easily: as a badge holder gains entry, the intruder slips in just behind them, evading detection.
Consider the case of Bob, a new night custodian at a large company. After a restless night, Bob unwittingly allows an intruder to enter the premises while he is preoccupied. The unauthorized person has malicious intentions, seeking sensitive information or valuable assets within the office.
While this scenario illustrates a common risk, it reflects a broader issue. Many businesses allocate significant resources to cybersecurity, yet they often overlook the vulnerabilities at their physical entry points. Tailgating is a prime example of a threat that can undermine even the most robust digital defenses.
Defining Tailgating
Tailgating involves an unauthorized individual following an authorized person through a secure entrance. This can happen frequently in both commercial and residential settings. The effectiveness of access control measures diminishes if an unauthorized person can simply walk in behind someone else. Whether it’s a delayed door closure or someone inadvertently holding a door open, the risk remains.
It’s important to differentiate between tailgating and piggybacking. Piggybacking occurs when an authorized person intentionally allows someone without credentials to enter—like an employee holding the door for a visitor carrying a package. While both situations compromise security, piggybacking often relies on exploiting the trust between individuals, whereas tailgating may happen without anyone realizing.
Tailgating can also result from negligence, such as when contractors prop open doors to transport equipment. A recent survey revealed that nearly half of individuals entering controlled access areas encountered tailgaters. Alarmingly, 69% of security professionals report a rise in tailgating incidents, highlighting a critical gap in security strategies focused predominantly on cybersecurity.
Implications for Businesses
Tailgating can jeopardize multiple aspects of a business, including:
- Employee safety
- Data integrity
- Physical assets
Consider the risks involved if an intruder gains access to sensitive areas, such as hospitals or laboratories, where confidential information is stored. The consequences can extend beyond immediate theft to long-term reputational damage to the brand.
The fundamental goal of a tailgating attack is unauthorized access. Once inside, the threat escalates, with studies indicating that 71% of security personnel believe tailgating could lead to a data breach.
Traditional Approaches to Prevent Tailgating
Historically, security teams have relied on two main strategies to combat tailgating:
- Stationing Security Personnel: Employing guards at every entrance during operational hours can be impractical, especially in residential settings that require constant access. Additionally, human guards may falter, whether due to distraction or simply needing a break.
- Manual Video Surveillance: Security teams often monitor video feeds, but this becomes challenging in buildings with numerous entry points. Balancing this task with intercom duties, alarm responses, and other responsibilities can lead to oversight.
Certain factors can increase susceptibility to tailgating:
- High traffic in facilities
- Frequent use of subcontractors unfamiliar with security protocols
- Regular deliveries, such as packages or food
Surprisingly, 74% of security teams do not actively monitor for tailgating incidents. Many only respond after a breach has occurred, relying on barriers and access controls to mitigate risks.
Leveraging Technology to Combat Tailgating
While artificial intelligence (AI) is commonly employed in cybersecurity, it is equally beneficial in physical security solutions. Modern smart security cameras equipped with AI algorithms can effectively analyze real-time video footage. These cameras can connect to Wi-Fi or cellular networks, providing instant insights into ongoing activities within the premises.
The power of AI cannot be overstated. These systems can identify individuals entering a facility and cross-reference their movements with access control data, alerting security teams if multiple individuals enter following a single badge swipe. During the COVID-19 pandemic, similar technology was used to monitor social distancing; this capability can now be utilized to flag potential tailgating incidents.
Advanced security cameras can even lock turnstiles to prevent unauthorized entry when multiple individuals attempt to use a single access point. Alerts can be sent directly to security personnel via text or notifications.
In addition to detecting tailgating, smart security cameras offer valuable data on facility usage, including:
- Frequency of tailgating incidents over specific periods
- Verification of whether unauthorized entries are genuine tailgating events or instances of residents inviting others in
- Identification of high-risk entry points
- Tracking of individuals responsible for facilitating breaches
These cameras can integrate seamlessly with other security systems, enhancing overall protection. For example, a camera might capture footage of a resident unknowingly allowing an unauthorized person to enter, triggering an automated email alert with a video snippet to inform them of the lapse.