Data Centers have the important responsibility to secure vast amounts of sensitive data. With the increasing sophistication of security threats, ensuring the integrity of these facilities is crucial. Effective safeguards can’t end at cyber protection alone; a comprehensive approach employs layered defenses to address all potential vulnerabilities from every angle. Physical security for data centers is necessary to secure what is considered the “gold” of our generation: digital assets. With insider threats, bad actors, social engineering, and unknowing employees, human error can be the downfall of your security system and bring irreparable damage. Anti-tailgating keeps the right people in and the wrong people out. As we take action today in bringing awareness to essential anti-tailgating protection, we are able to create safer security environments for tomorrow.
1. Anti-Tailgating Helps Prevent Data Breaches — and Physical Breaches Rank Among the Top Causes
Physical Security Compromise ranks as the 5th most common avenue of data breach — a higher percentage than business email compromise, malicious insider, social engineering, system error, and accidental data loss combined. In fact, a whopping 10% of malicious data breaches involve a physical security breach (IBM 2023). Unauthorized access to data centers can lead to devastation, resulting in significant financial losses, reputational damage, and legal liabilities.
2. How Does Anti-Tailgating Protect Sensitive Data in a Data Center?
36% of CSOs report the leaking of sensitive information as the biggest internal threat in 2024. Data centers store vast amounts of valuable and sensitive information, including financial records, personal data, and proprietary business information. Preventing unauthorized access through anti-tailgating solutions helps safeguard this data from theft or tampering. Often, attackers find the access they need within physical facilities rather than solely relying on digital means for their assault.
3. Why Data Centers Need Anti-Tailgating to Protect Intellectual Property
Intellectual property is a prime target for attackers of every type, costing the U.S. economy $225B–$600B annually. With the world turning to digital and AI means for production, data is the new gold. As organizations increasingly rely on data-driven insights to inform decision-making and drive innovation, the value of that data has skyrocketed — making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to exploit vulnerabilities for personal gain or competitive advantage. Protection has become a fundamental necessity for ensuring the resilience and longevity of businesses and society at large.
4. Anti-Tailgating Supports Regulatory Compliance — Non-Compliance Costs Average $14.8M Globally (Ponemon)
Data centers are subject to various regulations and compliance standards, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS, which mandate strict controls over access to sensitive information. Implementing anti-tailgating solutions helps meet these requirements by ensuring only authorized personnel can access restricted areas.
5. How Anti-Tailgating Strengthens Physical Security in Data Centers
29% of information security practitioners experienced a physical breach in the past year (PWS Global Stat Survey). Data centers house critical IT infrastructure and equipment, making them attractive targets for physical attacks and theft. Tailgating and piggybacking is the leading cause of access control system failure — 61% of security practitioners have experienced this exact outcome, followed by 50% from door propping and 32% from deliberate staff attempts to circumvent procedures. Anti-tailgating solutions bolster physical security by preventing unauthorized individuals from gaining entry, reducing the risk of theft, vandalism, or sabotage.
6. Can Anti-Tailgating Solutions Reduce Insider Threats? (Verizon 2021)
Insider threats, whether malicious or unintentional, pose a significant risk to data security. 22% of insider attacks involved the theft of intellectual property (Cybersecurity Insiders 2021). Anti-tailgating solutions help mitigate insider threats by preventing unauthorized employees or contractors from accessing restricted areas where they could potentially cause harm. With the average cost of an insider-related incident involving intellectual property theft soaring to $11.45 million in North America, organizations are confronted with the urgent necessity of strengthening their defenses against insider threats. Addressing this challenge demands a comprehensive approach that combines digital and physical security protocols, robust monitoring, and ongoing employee education to mitigate the risk of intellectual property theft and its accompanying financial repercussions.
7. Protecting Business Continuity: Unauthorized Data Center Access Can Cost $300,000+ Per Hour in Downtime
Another consequence of a breach that is often unrealized is the amount of downtime and disruption a business faces in the aftermath. In order to maintain efficiency in operations, organizations must prevent disruptions to their staff and resources. Aside from the initial shock and stolen information, the clean up to re-secure the business is a costly headache of its own. Unauthorized access to data center facilities can disrupt operations and compromise service availability, leading to downtime and financial losses. By implementing anti-tailgating solutions, data centers can minimize the risk of unauthorized entry and maintain uninterrupted service delivery.
8. Anti-Tailgating Improves Operational Efficiency by Addressing Human Error (Uptime)
According to Uptime’s estimate based on 25 years of data, human error continues to rank among the leading causes of downtime and system failures despite advancements in technology. Unauthorized individuals gaining access to data center facilities can disrupt operations, create bottlenecks, and hinder productivity. Anti-tailgating solutions ensure entry points are secured despite human flaws with a system in place to identify and mitigate violations.
9. How Anti-Tailgating Enhances Audit Trails and Accountability (ASIS)
Anti-tailgating solutions provide accurate and reliable access logs, enabling data centers to track and monitor entry and exit activities in real-time. Not only does this encourage accountability among company culture, but also streamlines investigation in the event that a security incident must be reviewed. Investing in robust security solutions leads to the betterment of the entire organization. Businesses can take a proactive approach that not only safeguards, but also shows the organizations dedication to prioritizing the safety of stakeholders.
10. Anti-Tailgating Demonstrates a Commitment to Security — and Protects Corporate Value
Organizations that experience a security incident face an average 25% drop in corporate value. In an era where trust and credibility are pillars of business, the reputation of a company and the safety of its customers, staff, and clients must be protected. Maintaining a sterling reputation isn’t just a goal — it’s a necessity for survival. Learn how Smarter Security’s data center solutions can help your organization take a proactive approach to physical security, safeguarding stakeholders and demonstrating a genuine commitment to protecting what matters most.
This article was reviewed for accuracy by Executive VP of Smarter Security, Clayton Brown
Clayton Brown serves as Executive Vice President at Smarter Security, the leading provider of hand-crafted optical turnstiles, and is a co-founder of ReconaSense, the only FICAM-certified risk-adaptive physical access control solution (RAdPACS) using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components. As a member of SIA’s Government Relations Committee and Data Privacy Board, Clayton proudly represents a next-generation of practitioners dedicated to bringing data-driven ideas to existing physical security challenges.
