Tailgating remains a critical building security threat, say security professionals

A majority of security professionals surveyed by Boon Edam Inc., a global security entrances and architectural revolving doors vendor, say tailgating remains a critical threat and doesn’t seem to be abating.

Tailgating can result from an employee opening a door and holding it open for visitors without badges, or the passive acceptance of a uniformed worker. This can lead to unauthorized intruders breaching through otherwise secure checkpoints.

Some 69% of respondents believe that security breaches resulting from tailgating either are holding at the same levels or are increasing. Guards and barriers, and unmanned barriers that prevent tailgating are effective methods to curtail tailgating, according to 77% of respondents.

But, only 18% of end-users indicated they were using either option. The majority of respondents (74%) fail to track tailgating, yet 71% believe they are vulnerable to a physical breach from tailgating.