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Encyclopedia entry

Tailgating (Piggybacking)

Entering a secured area by following an authorized person through a controlled door before it closes or locks.

Tailgating (sometimes called piggybacking) describes an unauthorized person following closely behind someone with legitimate access through a gate or door, defeating an access-control system without needing their own credential.

It is one of the most common practical failure points in otherwise well-designed access-control systems, because employees and residents often hold doors open as a courtesy without verifying the other person's authorization.

Countermeasures include staff and resident training, physical designs that only allow one person through per credential (mantraps, turnstiles), and patrol officers positioned to observe and challenge unfamiliar entrants at high-traffic access points.

Related entries

Access ControlSystems and procedures — gates, key fobs, sign-in logs — that limit entry to authorized people.Target HardeningPhysical measures — locks, barriers, lighting, cameras — that make a specific target harder to access or attack.

Official sources

  1. [1]Physical Security GuidanceCISA

Links point to the publishing agency or the California Legislative Information text. Government pages are reorganized periodically — if a link moves, search the code section or agency name at the official site.

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General industry and regulatory usage — not legal advice, and not an endorsement by BSIS, the Department of Consumer Affairs, or any law-enforcement agency. Statutes, regulations, and local ordinances change; verify current text at the official government source or with your attorney.

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