Defence methods against tailgating

This is not a problem that has a social solution. No amount of corporate policy will save you. Humans are social animals. In the end, if people can let other people in, they will. Even if you may be very security aware and not let anyone in, 95% of your collegues will act differently.

You have to work with human nature, not against it.

So if you want to stop tailgating, you'll need one of these, perferably placed in a reception with human supervision:

You protect yourself by politely challenging people who are trying to get in without using the controls. You simply ask to see their pass or offer to escort them to reception/security. I use the simple phrase, "I'm sorry, I do not know who you are so I cannot just let you in. May I escort you to reception?" If they resist, I monitor them and quietly inform security. For me, it doesn't matter if they are the CEO or a delivery person.

The company protects itself by

• installing physical gates that only allow one person in at a time
• controls that prevent the same passcard being used on the same side of the gate
• human monitors to detect tailgating
• training people to politely challenge those trying to get in without using the proper methods

The cheap solution is to put up scary “no tailgating - everyone must badge in at this door - no exceptions - don’t risk your job - report all tailgate requests to Joe at 123-456-7890” signs at each unattended controlled portal. Make sure there are obvious cameras in the vicinity.

If you want people to challenge someone, it’s much easier for them to do so when they have something to back up their assertions. That way they can point to the sign and blame it, instead of coming up with their own reason.