What is tailgating?
Tailgating is one of the most common ways unauthorised people slip into a building, often without anyone noticing. It happens when an authorised person — intentionally or not — lets someone in behind them, which can leave a business exposed to security threats and throw off fire roll calls. In this guide we explain what tailgating is, why it matters, and five practical anti-tailgating solutions to help keep your premises secure.
The first thing to establish is what is tailgating, put simply it is when an authorised employee, intentionally or unintentionally allows an unauthorised person entry. A way in which this can happen is if an authorised person were to enter their PIN credentials into a keypad and then holding the door open so someone else can enter behind.
Why is tailgating a problem?
Tailgating is a problem as it is allowing an unknown person into the business who may pose a threat to those inside. It can also become an issue when fire roll calls are run from access control software and this person is not logged as being present in the building.
1. ID Cards
One of the most simple and secure ways of implementing anti-tailgating systems is with the use of identification cards. These can come in either a physical swipe to the reader or by proximity when the fob is close-by. By creating a system where everyone has their own card, you are only allowing one person to enter each time. Of course, cards do have their own downsides as they can be shared or lost. However, they do provide a solid solution by feeding information into a central system.
2. Turnstiles
Tripod Turnstiles are an excellent anti-tailgating solution, an example of this could be with the UKT-10 tripod. Due to the unit’s precise design they only one entry at a time. Attempting to tailgate alongside an authorized person would be extremely difficult due to the tight space, which would likely attract the attention of staff nearby.
At the point the Tripod Turnstile has completed one full transit it will return to its locked position. Therefore meaning access can only be granted again once a valid credential is supplied.
Speed-gate turnstiles will only allow one approved individual person at a time, infrared beams that run right through a persons travel journey detect when a single person passes from entry to exit of the lanes. If a second person were to attempt to tailgate, they would be met by the wings attempting to close, when the wings recognise, they’ve fallen short of their close position an alarm will sound.
Full height turnstiles are the ultimate security product, the unit is manufactured in a way whereby only one person can transit. At the point one transit is completed the unit will then lock, therefore only allowing access again to an authorised user.
3. CCTV
If you have CCTV within your business that you could expand your system to add cameras to help with tailgating. These could be positioned on your entry doors to act both as a security measure and as a deterrent. This can be linked to the access control system so the ID photo against the person on the system can be matched to the person on the CCTV.
We can even watermark the CCTV picture with the users ID name on the screen, this can be verified straight away. For example, Mr Smith using Mrs Smith’s card or PIN. It’s particularly useful in the 24-hour gym industry, where pin misuse is an issue.
4. Biometric Technology
We offer a range of different biometric security options to help protect your business. Requiring employees to enter by using their fingerprint, you can confirm exactly who is entering. Additionally, this removes the worry about lost or even stolen cards and fobs.
Frequently Asked Questions
A few common questions about tailgating and how to prevent it:
What is tailgating in access control?
Tailgating is when an authorised person, intentionally or unintentionally, allows an unauthorised person to enter behind them — for example by entering a PIN and then holding the door open for someone else. It lets an unknown person into the business who may pose a threat, and it can also cause problems with fire roll calls when that person isn’t logged as being in the building.
How do turnstiles help prevent tailgating?
Turnstiles are designed to allow only one person through at a time. A tripod turnstile such as the UKT-10 makes it extremely difficult to follow someone through due to the tight space, and it returns to a locked position after each transit. Speed-gate turnstiles use infrared beams along the lane to detect a second person, while full height turnstiles physically allow only one person to transit before locking again.
Can CCTV and biometrics help stop tailgating?
Yes. CCTV positioned on entry doors acts as both a security measure and a deterrent, and it can be linked to your access control system to match the ID photo against the person entering — we can even watermark the footage with the user’s name, which is particularly useful in the 24-hour gym industry where PIN misuse is an issue. Biometric technology, such as fingerprint entry, confirms exactly who is entering and removes the worry of lost or stolen cards and fobs.