Access Control Tailgate Detection

Learn how to enable and configure access control tailgate detection

Tailgating refers to the act of waiting for an authorized user to open a door and slipping in behind them to gain unauthorized access to a building. For most organizations, this poses a major security risk.

Through Verkada’s tailgate detection feature, your organization can easily identify this behavior. Native camera integration allows for automated security monitoring with AI and ML applications to detect tailgating, crowds, and more.

With integrated video security and access control, Verkada leverages data from door events and edge-based video analytics to produce an accurate people count. If multiple people enter a doorway through one access grant, the system raises an event and flags it as tailgating.

How it works

Tailgating events populate in Verkada Command, along with all other door events, enabling more proactive protection of people and assets.

Verkada’s tailgating implementation does not require any new hardware. As long as you have a Verkada camera paired with an access controlled door, you can enable this software feature through Command.

Tailgate detection is not currently supported on the D80 camera model.

Requirements for camera mounting

• Inside camera—Mount the camera on the inside of the door (opposite of the reader) such that people will walk towards the camera after badging in.

• Camera height—Place the camera higher than the top of the door frame.

• Camera field of view (FOV)—Leave a gap between the bottom of the door frame and the edge of the camera’s FOV.

• Camera angle—Position the camera angle between 10° and 55° relative to the perpendicular axis (measured when looking directly at the door). ​

  

• Max Distance from Door—For optimal results, refer to this table for the maximum distance to place the cameras from the door.

Camera Model	Max Distance from Door
CD42 | CD42-E	42 ft (12.8m)
CD52 | CD52-E	39 ft (11.8m)
CD62 | CD62-E	50 ft (15.2m)
CB52-E	43 ft (13.1m)
CB62-E	62 ft (18.8m)
CB52-TE	105 ft (32m)
CB62-TE	140 ft (42.6m)
CM41 | CM41-E	42 ft (12.8m)

Configure tailgate detection

A DPI must be installed on the door and enabled in the settings in order to configure tailgating detection.

1

In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Access.

2

At the top left, select a site from the dropdown.

3

Select the door you want to enable tailgating.

4

Click Settings .

5

Under General > Pairing Cameras:

a. Next to Interior click Add Camera. b. Select the camera that will be used to detect tailgating. c. Click Done to continue.

6

Above the Interior camera toggle on Track Tailgating.

a. Verify the camera is mounted according to the recommended settings and click Next. b. Highlight the door in the grid, ensuring that the door takes up at least 80% of the frame and click Done.

7

If tailgating is detected, the event will populate in Command within 3 minutes.

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Prefer to see it in action? Check out the video tutorial.

Need more help? Contact Verkada Support.