Why Most Americans Remain Unaware of the Security Risk Called Tailgating

The disconnect between public awareness and reality is fueling a rise in high-profile security failures. This summer, intruders exploited basic badge-reader systems to gain entry into Harvard University, UCLA dormitories, and the NBC News offices at 30 Rockefeller Center. In each instance, the electronic access control functioned exactly as intended by unlocking for an authorized cardholder, remaining oblivious to the secondary person slipping through the gap behind them.

Tina D'Agostin, CEO of Alcatraz AI, describes this vulnerability as the "crime before the crime," noting that standard badge readers are effectively 30-year-old technology incapable of distinguishing between authorized personnel and intruders. While 88% of people recognize tailgating as a serious risk once the concept is explained, social pressure often overrides caution. Surveys indicate that 25% of individuals would still hold a door for a stranger, and many admit they would likely fail to even recognize the act of unauthorized entry as it unfolded. Experts argue that relying on human intervention to secure doorways is a failed strategy, suggesting that only AI-driven, intelligent access systems can provide the necessary oversight to prevent these breaches before they escalate into violence.