As technology advances at breakneck speed, access control systems keep pace by incorporating innovative tech and AI. Here are the 8 trends to watch in 2024. Here are the 8 trends to watch in 2024.
1. Cyber and physical security convergence
While the convergence of cyber and physical security is not new, the massive influx of IoT devices to the market is allowing companies to approach their security more holistically. By merging their IT and physical security infrastructure, organizations can drive more efficient operations.
And bringing together cyber and physical security teams and processes helps eliminate redundancies, improve response times, and increase collaboration. This makes room for greater automation across platforms and helps strengthen the security posture across the entire organization.
2. Touchless entry and access technology
The pandemic has changed our relationship with touch: touchless access is increasingly popular in spaces with high traffic, both for safety and for convenience. Many of the latest access control solutions include:
- Improved physical signal configuration and motion sensing technology. By requiring users to complete a specific action at a certain distance, such as waving a hand in front of a reader, access control is less prone to accidental unlocks.
- Enhanced mobile experiences. Instead of passing out key cards and fobs to every user, companies are increasingly turning to solutions that offer mobile credentials. These leverage smartphone apps and proximity technology to allow users to unlock nearby doors with their phones.
- Biometric technology for access control. Biometric access is defining the future of access control. Biometric technology relies on an individual’s unique identity including their facial features, fingerprint, or other physical identification factors to confirm their identity. Mobile systems can also leverage the morphological biometrics we use to unlock our smartphones (FaceID, fingerprints, etc.) as an additional layer of security.
3. Remote management and security
Remote security and remote access management have transformed our security capabilities. This access control trend first gained traction in helping building owners and managers keep their buildings secure even while unoccupied, setting the foundations for so many businesses to keep their commercial buildings open while supporting a hybrid working environment.
The primary benefit of remote security in the future of access control is that it allows organizations to remain flexible in their approach, regardless of where their teams are located. With anywhere access, teams no longer worry about time wasted during critical security events and can make necessary adjustments to user permissions and door schedules at any time, with those changes reflecting instantly.
Remote door access control is especially useful for allowing vendors and employees access into the building without the need to be physically present at the site. The only challenge here is ensuring remote unlocks are only performed for verified individuals — unifying video and access (another access control industry trend) can help mitigate this vulnerability.
4. Security system unification
Access control systems have traditionally worked in isolation, but recent trends make it clear that the future of physical security lies in systems that can work together seamlessly. Choosing systems with open, interoperable platforms is the standard for access control and video security, and is beginning to expand to include visitor management, building management, and analytics tools.
By merging the systems’ capabilities, technology from both can be optimized to enhance the overall user experience, while simultaneously helping building managers and owners improve efficiency, productivity, and the sustainability of a building.
Unifying video and access control technology increases visibility and situational awareness. However, successful adoption of this access control trend involves working with systems integrators (like CM3) who can recommend open-platform products, that also provide intuitive software that seamlessly blends both functions.
5. Building automation through AI
As physical security and access control technology gets smarter, there’s a growing opportunity for companies to streamline their operations through automation and artificial intelligence (AI). Instead of having individuals monitoring every video feed and access attempt 24/7, the future of the access control industry is more reliant on AI. While AI cannot replace human verification, these tools are invaluable when it comes to helping security teams know where to focus their efforts and when. Analytical data ingested from unified systems provides key insights into operations, helping teams more quickly identify anomalies, and can also assist in triggering specific workflows or processes to strengthen security.
One example of this access control technology trend is using rules to trigger lockdowns, alarms, or alerts following a specified access control event. This type of automation can be crucial in minimizing damages in the event of an emergency, but it is also just as effective in helping teams more effectively triage daily incidents, such as lockouts or doors left ajar.
6. Multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication, or MFA, is growing in popularity due to the increased security and reliability it offers. As cybercrime and hacking become more advanced, traditional methods of protecting data and physical assets are no longer sufficient. MFA requires multiple levels of authentication prior to allowing access, making it more difficult for unauthorized users to gain entry, either to buildings or networks.
As an access control technology trend, MFA takes the form of requiring users to present multiple credentials at an entry. In mobile applications, users may need to use FaceID or their passcode to unlock their phone, as well as use an app to request an unlock.
Many companies also choose to add PIN codes or key cards to mobile authentication in a multi-layered approach to securing high-risk areas.
7. Cloud-Based and Hybrid-Cloud Solutions
While on-premise systems are a large part of the access control marketplace, cloud-based security affords organizations the opportunity to control multiple sites from a central location, enabling them to respond faster and more accurately to any breaches. Cloud applications also empower security teams to be able to monitor and process data from all their sites and locations in one place, making multi-site access management more efficient.
And, when implementing cloud-native solutions isn’t the right fit, hybrid-cloud systems connect existing devices to cloud-connected software, so businesses can take advantage of cloud data storage, real-time activity alerts, and remote monitoring
8. All-in-one access control devices
With the explosion of video doorbell devices for residential markets, it was only a matter of time before commercial properties wanted in on the trend. That’s why all-in-one devices are also on this list of access control trends. Instead of having to install four different devices just to keep entries secure, property owners can leverage the latest entry solutions which now include readers with built-in HD cameras, two-way audio, video intercom technology, and doorbell functionality, instantly reducing the number of devices installed at the door. Space-saving, cost-effective, and future-proof, many of these devices also have powerful AI capabilities that add to their sophistication and ease of use.
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Content for this blog was provided by Avigilon. CM3 proudly deploys the Avigilon suite of security products.