by Rabhya Sharma
As Indian workplaces accelerate their shift toward digitized, high-security environments, one silent but dangerous loophole continues to threaten organizational safety: tailgating.
Despite advanced access control systems, tailgating remains one of the most common and underestimated security breaches in offices, corporate parks, data centres, IT campuses, BFSI institutions, and government facilities across India.
This article breaks down what tailgating really is, why it happens, the types of tailgating, the risks involved, and how modern entrance control solutions – especially Gunnebo’s – completely eliminate these threats.
What Is Tailgating?
Tailgating occurs when an unauthorized person enters a secured area by closely following an authorized user – without proper authentication.
Even with access cards or biometric systems, a physical barrier must ensure one-person-one-entry.
This is where tailgating breaches typically occur.
Types of Tailgating in Indian Workplaces
Tailgating does not happen in just one way. Modern corporate environments face multiple variations, including:
1. Piggybacking (Intentional Tailgating)
An authorised employee knowingly allows someone else in—often out of courtesy.
2. Close-Follow Tailgating
The intruder walks immediately behind the authorised person, slipping in within milliseconds.
3. Side-by-Side Entry
Two people attempt to pass through the gate from the sides and squeeze through together.
4. Over-the-Top Entry
An intruder jumps over the barrier when the panels open for an authorised user.
5. Under-the-Arm / Under-Barrier Entry
Someone ducks or slides beneath gates with insufficient panel height.
6. Marcus / Shoulder-Surfing Entry
The intruder pretends to be with the authorised user and walks closely behind them.
7. Back-to-Back Entry
Two people align themselves as one body profile to get through as a single passage.
Each of these methods exposes organisations in India to serious security risks – often without immediate detection.
Why Tailgating Happens: Key Causes in India
1. Cultural Courtesy
Indians often hold doors open as a sign of respect, unintentionally enabling tailgating.
- High Footfall in Corporate & IT Parks
Peak-hour crowds make it easy for intruders to slip in unnoticed.
- Weak or Outdated Gate Systems
Basic flap barriers or turnstiles lack advanced detection capabilities.
- Lack of Security Awareness
Employees rarely realise that “helping someone in” is a major security violation.
- Bypassing Protocols
Visitors or contractors may tailgate due to delays or improper access assignment.
The Real Risks of Tailgating
Tailgating is not “just an entry mistake.”
It leads to:
✔ Data theft or corporate espionage
✔ Theft of assets
✔ Physical safety risks for staff
✔ Risk to confidential environments (IT floors, NOC, SOC, data halls)
✔ Potential for sabotage or malicious intrusions
✔ Audit failures and compliance issues (ISO, SOC2, PCI-DSS, etc.)
In sectors like data centres, BFSI, IT/ITeS, pharma, defence, and government, tailgating incidents can escalate into operational and reputational disasters.
Tailgating Prevention in India: The Modern Approach
Traditional gates fail because they rely purely on mechanical movement and basic sensors.
Modern entrance control must detect:
- Multiple people entering at once
- Jump-over attempts
- Crawl-under attempts
- Shoulder-surfing
- Side-by-side entries
- Abnormal movement patterns
And this is where Gunnebo Entrance Control India stands out.
How Gunnebo Entrance Control India Prevents ALL Types of Tailgating
Gunnebo’s SpeedStile portfolio, Full Panel Gates, and High-Security Sensor Gates are engineered to eliminate tailgating through multi-layered detection technology.
– Advanced IR Sensor Beams
Our gates use strategically placed through-beam infrared sensors that:
- Detect and count every passage
- Identify unauthorised second-person movement
- Monitor bottom and upper corridor levels
- Prevent jump-in / jump-out attempts
- Trigger immediate alerts
These sensors outperform traditional systems that rely on single-plane detection.
– Overhead 3D Detection with AI (Optional)
For environments requiring ultra-high security, Gunnebo adds:
- 3D overhead cameras
- AI-based image processing
- Distinguishing between persons vs luggage or objects
This enables the highest accuracy in unicity detection—ensuring ONLY one authorised person passes per validated credential.
– Precision Motor & Panel Control
Gunnebo gates respond in milliseconds to tailgating attempts by:
- Locking panels instantly
- Triggering alarms
- Sending alerts to control rooms or ACS systems
- Recording events for audits
- Compliance-Driven Design
Gunnebo’s gates support:
✓ Strict access protocols
✓ Unique-user validation
✓ Integration with all major access control brands
✓ Configurable anti-tailgating logic
- Industry-Leading Reliability
Gunnebo’s solutions are engineered for India’s high-density workplaces with:
- Up to 10 million+ MCBF
- 24/7 uptime
- High-speed throughput
- Rugged components to handle heavy footfall
You get high-performance gates that don’t fail during peak hours, where tailgating risk is highest.
Gunnebo Products That Prevent Tailgating 100%
🔹 SpeedStile FLs Series
Premium anti-tailgating speed gates for corporate offices, IT parks, and BFSI institutions.
🔹 SpeedStile FP/Full Panel Gates
Jump-proof, high-security panels ideal for sensitive zones and high-risk areas.
🔹 HiSec Sensor Gates
Intelligent mantrap-style corridors with highly advanced detection layers.
These systems are engineered specifically for Indian workplaces with high footfall, strict security needs, and zero-tolerance access control policies.
Conclusion
Tailgating is one of the most widespread and dangerous security gaps in Indian workplaces—yet also the most preventable.
By adopting modern, AI-driven, sensor-enhanced entrance control solutions like those from Gunnebo Entrance Control India, organisations can ensure:
✔ Zero tailgating
✔ Zero unauthorised entry
✔ 24/7 secure access
✔ Seamless throughput
✔ Compliance with global security standards
Gunnebo’s entrance control technology is trusted by India’s largest IT companies, data centres, BFSI leaders, Fortune 500 offices, and government agencies for one reason:
It works flawlessly – every single day.