How to Stop Tailgating in Your Dubai Office: Access Control Solutions That Actually Work

What Is Tailgating and Why Is It Dangerous?

Tailgating is when an unauthorised person follows an authorised employee through a secured door without presenting their own credential. It is the most common way intruders gain access to Dubai offices, server rooms, and restricted areas.

A single tailgating incident can result in data theft, equipment theft, or physical harm — all bypassing your expensive digital security.

Method 1: Anti-Passback Rules

What it does: The access control system tracks each card/biometric entry and exit. If your card was used to enter but not exit, it cannot be used to enter again — meaning the physical person cannot just hold the door for someone.

Best for: Main building entries, server rooms, any area where card-only access is used.

Cost: Software-only feature on most modern access control systems. No additional hardware required if your system supports it. Zero extra cost.

Setup: Enable anti-passback in your access control software (ZKTeco, Hikvision, Suprema, etc.). Define in-out readers at each secured door.

Method 2: Video Analytics with Tailgating Detection

What it does: AI-powered camera analytics detect when two people pass through a door opening on a single credential swipe. Triggers an alert to security management.

Best for: High-security entries, financial areas, data centres.

How it works: A camera above the door analyses the door-opening event. If the frame count detects more than one person per credential event, an alert fires.

Cost: AED 1,500 to 3,500 per camera point with analytics-capable camera. Requires an analytics-capable NVR or VMS platform.

Method 3: Security Mantrap / Airlock

What it does: A small enclosed vestibule with two doors. The first door must close and lock before the second door can open. One person in, one person out — no tailgating possible.

Best for: Server rooms, bank vaults, high-security data centres.

Cost: AED 25,000 to 80,000 for a proper mantrap installation depending on size and materials.

Method 4: Turnstile (Waist or Full Height)

What it does: Mechanical barrier that allows exactly one person per credential swipe. Physically impossible to tailgate a turnstile without triggering an alarm.

Best for: Building lobbies, warehouse personnel gates, visitor management areas.

Cost: Waist-height flap turnstile: AED 8,000 to 20,000. Full-height cage turnstile: AED 15,000 to 35,000.

Recommended Solution by Risk Level

Stop Tailgating: Frequently Asked Questions

What is tailgating and why does it matter for office security? Tailgating is when an unauthorized person follows an authorized employee through a secured door without presenting their own credential — it's the most common way intruders bypass otherwise strong digital security in Dubai offices.

What's the cheapest way to reduce tailgating risk? Anti-passback rules — a software-only feature on most access control systems that prevents a card from being used to enter again if it wasn't used to exit, at zero extra hardware cost.

When does a business need a turnstile instead of just anti-passback? For building lobbies or warehouse personnel gates where physically preventing tailgating matters more than just detecting it — a turnstile makes it mechanically impossible to pass on one credential swipe.

What's the highest level of anti-tailgating protection available? A security mantrap/airlock — a two-door vestibule where the first door must close before the second opens, used for server rooms, bank vaults, and high-security data centres.

SAS IT designs and installs anti-tailgating solutions across Dubai. Book a site survey | +971-526716178

Related: Access Control System Dubai | Commercial CCTV Installation Dubai