February 24, 2025
Piggybacking and tailgating are serious security risks where unauthorized individuals gain access to restricted areas by exploiting human behavior. Tailgating occurs when an unauthorized person follows an authorized individual through a secure entrance without proper credentials, often unnoticed. On the other hand, piggybacking happens when an unauthorized individual is knowingly allowed access, typically as an act of courtesy. These breaches can lead to theft, data breaches, physical harm, or other security threats. Preventing tailgating requires a combination of physical security measures, employee training, and stringent access control policies.
What is Tailgating?
Tailgating is a physical security breach where an unauthorized individual enters a secure area by closely following an authorized person. This type of intrusion often occurs at office buildings, data centers, warehouses, and other locations where access should be restricted to authorized personnel only.
How Tailgating Happens
Tailgating typically occurs in the following ways:
Closely Following an Employee: An unauthorized individual waits near an entrance and slips in right after an employee enters using their access card or key.
Holding the Door Open: Employees may hold the door for a stranger out of politeness, inadvertently allowing unauthorized access.
Crowded Entry Points: During busy times, such as shift changes, unauthorized individuals can blend into a crowd and gain entry unnoticed.
Why Tailgating is Dangerous
The risks associated with tailgating include:
Data Breaches: Unauthorized individuals may access confidential documents, computers, or sensitive information.
Theft: Intruders can steal equipment, inventory, or intellectual property.
Physical Threats: In extreme cases, tailgating can lead to workplace violence or sabotage.
Regulatory Compliance Violations: Many industries have strict access control regulations, and failing to prevent tailgating can result in legal and financial consequences.
What is Piggybacking?
Piggybacking is similar to tailgating but involves the unauthorized individual gaining access with the knowledge or assistance of an authorized person. The authorized person, often unaware of security policies, allows entry due to courtesy or deception.
Examples of Piggybacking
Helping a Stranger: An employee may hold the door open for someone who claims they forgot their access card.
Social Engineering: An intruder poses as a delivery worker, maintenance staff, or another seemingly legitimate visitor and persuades someone to grant them access.
Multiple People Entering on One Credential: Employees may share credentials or allow colleagues to enter without properly verifying their access rights.
Why Piggybacking is a Security Threat
Insider Threats: The intruder may be someone with malicious intent, such as a former employee or competitor seeking confidential information.
Legal Liability: If a security incident occurs due to piggybacking, the organization may be held responsible for negligence.
Safety Risks: Unauthorized individuals can threaten employees, equipment, and critical operations.
How to Prevent Tailgating and Piggybacking
Preventing security tailgating and piggybacking requires a layered approach involving technology, policies, and employee awareness.
1. Implement Physical Security Measures
Turnstiles and Security Gates
Installing turnstiles, revolving doors, or security gates that allow only one person to enter at a time helps prevent unauthorized entry.
Mantraps
A mantrap is a two-door security system where the first door must close before the second one opens, ensuring only one person enters at a time.
Locked Access Points
Doors should remain locked at all times, requiring authorized credentials for entry. Employees should never prop open doors or allow unauthorized individuals to enter.
2. Use Advanced Authentication Systems
Biometric Scanners
Fingerprint, retina, or facial recognition scanners ensure that only authorized personnel can gain entry.
Access Control Badges
Requiring employees to scan RFID or NFC-enabled badges ensures that only those with proper credentials can enter restricted areas.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Combining badge access with PIN codes or biometric verification adds an extra layer of security.
3. Train Employees on Security Policies
Security Awareness Programs
Regularly educating employees on the risks of tailgating and piggybacking can reduce incidents. Training should include:
Recognizing suspicious behavior
Understanding the consequences of unauthorized access
Properly verifying visitors before granting entry
Clear Door Policies
Establishing strict policies that prohibit holding doors open for others, regardless of the situation, reinforces security.
Employee Accountability
Encouraging employees to report security breaches or suspicious activity ensures better compliance with access control protocols.
4. Implement a Visitor Management System
Visitor Badges and Escort Policies
Requiring visitors to wear clearly marked badges and be escorted at all times prevents unauthorized access.
Visitor Logs
Keeping records of all visitors, including their purpose, entry time, and exit time, ensures accountability.
5. Monitor and Audit Access Control Systems
Surveillance Cameras
Installing security cameras at all entry and exit points allows security teams to monitor for tailgating incidents in real-time.
Access Logs and Audits
Regularly reviewing access logs helps identify any anomalies, such as unauthorized access attempts or multiple individuals entering on a single credential.
6. Enforce Strict Security Policies
Zero-Tolerance Policies
Organizations should adopt a zero-tolerance policy for unauthorized access, making it clear that tailgating or piggybacking violations can lead to disciplinary action.
Reporting Mechanisms
Employees should have an anonymous way to report security violations, ensuring that incidents are addressed promptly without fear of retaliation.
Real-World Examples of Tailgating and Piggybacking Incidents
Corporate Espionage
A competitor gained entry into a tech company's office by tailgating an employee and stole proprietary research data, causing millions in losses.
Data Center Security Breach
An unauthorized individual gained access to a data center by posing as a technician, resulting in a major security incident involving stolen client data.
Workplace Safety Violation
An ex-employee entered a manufacturing plant through an unattended door and caused equipment damage, disrupting operations for several days.
The Importance of a Security-First Culture
Preventing tailgating and piggybacking is not just about technology—it requires a security-conscious workplace culture. Employees must understand that security is a shared responsibility and that small lapses in protocol can lead to major consequences.
Encouraging a Security-First Mindset
Reinforce the importance of following security procedures in meetings and company communications.
Reward employees who proactively follow and enforce access control measures.
Conduct regular security drills to test response protocols.
Conclusion
Tailgating and piggybacking are preventable security risks that organizations must address proactively. By implementing strict access control measures, leveraging advanced authentication systems, training employees, and fostering a security-first culture, businesses can significantly reduce unauthorized access and improve overall security. Vigilance, education, and technology work together to ensure that only authorized individuals gain access to restricted areas, protecting both people and assets from potential threats.