Unauthorized access is one of the most common and overlooked threats to physical security. When a person who lacks proper clearance slips into a secured space, it can create a wide range of risks, from theft and vandalism to safety violations and liability issues. Two terms often used to describe this type of breach are tailgating and piggybacking. They are sometimes used interchangeably, but the details behind them matter. Understanding how they work, how they differ, and how they can be prevented helps property owners manage access control more effectively.
What Is Tailgating in Physical Security
Tailgating occurs when an unauthorized individual closely follows someone with access through a secured entry point. The authorized person opens a gate, door, or entry system, and someone slips in directly behind them before the entryway closes. In many cases, the person being followed has no idea anyone else came in with them.
This type of breach is often seen in locations with high foot traffic. People rushing to get inside may not notice someone behind them. In other cases, they might feel pressure to avoid confrontation or simply assume the person behind them has access. The simplicity of tailgating is part of what makes it effective. A secure building with locked doors and a card reader can still be compromised if users are not paying attention.
Tailgating is common in office buildings, residential garages, corporate campuses, and warehouses. The key characteristic is that the unauthorized person enters without consent or acknowledgment from the individual they follow. Because the breach happens quickly and silently, detection often relies on camera footage or alert systems that monitor the number of entries vs. access scans.
What Is Piggybacking and How It Differs from Tailgating
Definition of Piggybacking
Piggybacking happens when an unauthorized person is knowingly allowed through a secured entrance by someone with valid access. Unlike tailgating, the person holding the door open is aware that someone is following them in. They may not understand the security policy, or they may assume the person is allowed to enter.
Piggybacking often occurs in situations where visitors, delivery personnel, or colleagues are granted entry without being properly checked in. This is common in office environments or residential buildings where tenants or staff might feel uncomfortable denying someone access. It can also happen when someone simply wants to be polite and holds the door for the next person.
Key Differences from Tailgating
While both piggybacking and tailgating lead to the same outcome, unauthorized access, the behavior surrounding each is different. Tailgating is covert. The person entering does not want to be seen or acknowledged. Piggybacking is more passive. The unauthorized person may be invited in, or at least openly walk in with the knowledge of the access holder. This distinction matters when reviewing footage or implementing policy. Enforcement tools for tailgating may rely more on detection, while piggybacking can be addressed through training and policy reminders.
Why Tailgating Piggybacking Are a Serious Threat
- Unauthorized entry creates a security breach that can affect the entire building. A person who enters without clearance may steal property, tamper with equipment, or gain access to restricted data. Even if nothing is taken, their presence creates uncertainty and exposes weaknesses in your security framework.
- Liability is a significant concern for property owners and managers. If an unauthorized person causes damage or injury, the failure to control access could result in lawsuits, increased insurance claims, or reputational harm. In some cases, the insurance carrier may reduce or deny coverage if security controls were clearly lacking.
- Tenant and employee safety is affected when people who shouldn’t be on-site are allowed in. In residential buildings, this increases the risk of harassment, break-ins, or confrontations in common areas. In commercial spaces, it can lead to workplace violence, asset loss, or unwanted surveillance.
- Compliance failures occur in regulated industries like healthcare, finance, or government. These sectors often require strict access control documentation and enforcement. Tailgating or piggybacking events may result in audit findings, fines, or even the loss of operating licenses.
- Operational disruptions can follow unauthorized access. Lockdowns, emergency response protocols, or internal investigations consume time and resources. Even false alarms triggered by suspicious activity from unknown entrants can interrupt business and create long-term problems.
Real-World Scenarios Where These Breaches Occur
Apartment Complexes and Gated Communities
A common tailgating event happens when a resident uses a fob or remote to open a vehicle gate, and another car follows closely behind. The resident may not see the second vehicle or assume it belongs to another tenant. Meanwhile, that second vehicle could belong to a stranger with no access rights.
Piggybacking also occurs in residential buildings when someone buzzes in a visitor or delivery person and allows them into a locked area without checking ID or logging their visit. This can happen during move-ins, food deliveries, or service appointments.
Commercial Office Buildings
Employees in shared office buildings often badge into elevators or secure wings. If someone follows them onto the elevator or into a restricted area without badging in, that’s tailgating. If the employee holds the door for someone they assume works in the same space, that’s piggybacking. Either scenario allows access without verification.
Warehouses and Distribution Centers
Facilities with high contractor or third-party traffic experience these breaches often. A delivery driver may follow a forklift operator through a service entrance without badging in. Or a vendor may be waved through a back entrance by a staff member who doesn’t want to walk them through a formal check-in.
How to Prevent Tailgating Piggybacking Incidents
The most effective way to stop unauthorized access is by reducing opportunities and reinforcing boundaries. Properties should start by evaluating the physical layout of their entrances. Entry points should include features that slow or separate individuals, such as turnstiles or vestibules. These designs create physical breaks that discourage following behavior.
Surveillance systems should be used to track entries and match access credentials to headcount. Cameras can be tied to access control logs to alert security teams when someone enters without scanning in. Systems with motion detection, AI analytics, or real-time alerts allow monitoring teams to intervene quickly.
Signage also plays a role. Entrances should display clear rules about access control, stating that all individuals must badge in and unauthorized entry is prohibited. These reminders set expectations for tenants, visitors, and vendors. Pairing this with training ensures people understand why the rule matters.
Staff and residents should be regularly reminded about access policies. Awareness campaigns can be part of onboarding, safety meetings, or community updates. In high-risk locations, this may include drills or reporting procedures for spotting unauthorized individuals.
Visitor management tools can help document entry and discourage improper escorting. A digital sign-in system that records time, purpose of visit, and identity adds a layer of accountability that reduces casual piggybacking. It also gives security teams a paper trail to reference during investigations.
Choosing the Right Strategy for Your Property
Tailgating and piggybacking are two of the most overlooked risks in property security. They are simple actions, often based on social habits, but they can have serious consequences. Whether you’re managing a residential complex, a commercial building, or a high-traffic warehouse, controlling who gets in is one of the most important steps you can take to protect people, assets, and operations.
EyeQ Monitoring helps property owners and operators design physical security strategies that stop unauthorized access before it happens. From camera placement to real-time verification and visitor controls, our solutions help reduce liability and support safer buildings.
To find out how to secure your access points and prevent tailgating piggybacking threats, talk to an EyeQ expert today.
