Physical security

Technology enabled care is gaining popularity among most local authorities across the country. However, a few years ago, Westminster City Council showed that it is ahead of the innovation curve by digitalising Carer access to clients’ homes for both security and transparency purposes. In fact, Westminster was the first local authority to use this technology, and it pioneered the approaches and methods required for running such a system smoothly at all stages of the process. This simple modification in care provision, trialled for over two years at hundreds of client homes across Westminster, made a significant difference and resulted in a three-year partnership extension between Westminster City Council and Keynetics, a supplier of digital key safe solutions. Mechanical key safes One may wonder why access, a seemingly minor element in the grand scheme of care provision, is so important. The answer involves multiple variables concerning service delivery and clients’ safety. First of all, an appointment cannot take place unless a carer has access to the client’s house, which is often accomplished by using a key safe at the point of entry. However, both access method and physical security of a key safe must provide protection against unauthorized entry into vulnerable individual’s home, which is impossible to achieve with mechanical key safes. Remote access management The use of mechanical key safe codes, which are often written on a piece of paper next to client’s address, can lead to a compromising situation. Codes can be lost, illegally shared or misplaced, and changing mechanical key safe codes requires a visit to the premises. Meanwhile, there is no way of knowing who and when a code was used to enter a client’s home. The lack of physical security of over-the-counter key safes that lack security certification and can be easily compromised is also a major concern when considering the duty of care the vulnerable in our society need. This is when SentriKey Care, a digital key safe solution by Keynetics, proved its value. SentriKey Care consists of three components: a certified (LPS 1175 and Police Approved Specification) Bluetooth key safe; a platform for remote access management, as well as client and user administration; and an app that grants assigned users access to allocated clients’ keys. It eliminates the risk of unauthorized access since every visit, its date, duration and visitor’s name are logged and available for auditing on the system. Preventing security breaches All access is granted and withdrawn remotely in a matter of a few clicks. Furthermore, care agencies are registered on the SentriKey Care platform and manage their staff access. The digital approach eliminates the need for codes, offers complete access transparency and even serves as a proof of visits. When one-time access is required, for example by a Hospital Transport Team or emergency services, a one-day code can be issued. For security reasons, the code is still named and reasoned on the platform and expires at midnight to prevent security breaches. Key management solutions In addition, a visit confirmation feature, which sends an automated free text or email notification to select individuals every time a visit takes place, is particularly welcomed by clients’ families, who are now informed that care is provided. However, there are other, not so obvious advantages of deploying a digital system like SentriKey Care. Stuart Wheeler, Managing Director at Keynetics, confirms, “In addition to the well-known features of our key management solutions, sustainability is one of the most appealing benefits for organizations in both private and public sectors.” Significant new technology “In Westminster’s case, we remove our key safes on request and redeploy them at new locations, which is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. It improves the visual appeal of the neighborhood by reducing key safe clutter, which is common at multiple occupancy sites with a large number of mechanical key safes that are no longer in use, abandoned as codes are no longer known to enable removal.” Jonathan Wills, Senior Delivery Manager at Westminster City Council, comments, “Our collaboration with Keynetics has enabled us to introduce a significant new technology to the Borough – the first of its kind to be used in a UK local authority – and to offer a cutting edge and best in class product and service to our residents. A successful pilot proved the efficacy and benefits of the products and cemented a very positive relationship with Keynetics – one which we are happy to see continue with a longer-term contract now in place.”

Observation Without Limits (O.W.L.), a U.S.-based manufacturer of 2D and 3D radars for ground and low-altitude airspace surveillance applications, is proud to announce its upgraded GroundAware® GA1360LH 2D 360-degree digital multi-beamforming radar system. Now available, the customisable GA1360LH target classification distinguishes among humans, animals, and ground and water vehicles for alarming on targets of concern within and around critical sites. “Our original GA1360 radar was designed to function as the wide-area perimeter intrusion detection sensor that helped meet NERC CIP-014 requirements for transmission substations,” said Adam Robinett, O.W.L. CEO. “The GA1360 quickly became our workhorse ground surveillance radar that serves as the foundation for event-based layered security at all kinds of critical infrastructure sites. Now, our GA1360LH provides longer detection ranges and improved target tracking for automated detection, tracking, deterrence, and response to intrusions within a 1 km radius of critical sites.” Physical security requirements Added Robinett, “That’s coverage for up to 750 acres or 300 hectares by a single radar, meaning more coverage with fewer sensors and less costly infrastructure than required by other sensors. This means attractive total cost of ownership at a time when constrained budgets are dealing with ever-growing physical security requirements.” Designed for ground and water surface applications, the GA1360LH is a powerful solution for protecting a range of critical sites, including electrical transmission substations, power plants, natural gas compression stations, dams, water reservoirs, water treatment facilities, midstream oil and gas facilities, airports, seaports, rail facilities, mines, large-scale manufacturing plants, data centres, storage facilities (such as large automobile distribution centers), and campuses of other critical sites with open perimeters and areas of concern.  Automatic response triggers Additional GA1360LH features and specifications include: Digital beamforming radar technology for highly reliable all-weather detection and tracking of all target types 1 km+ detection ranges on ground and water vehicles, 600 m range on humans Seamless integration with ONVIF cameras, video management systems (Genetec, Milestone, Avigilon, and many others), access control systems, physical security information management systems, audible alarms, security lights, drones, and more Customisable alarm zones with automatic response triggers Solid state system with no moving parts Full hardware warranty and software maintenance/support coverage Processing Type: Pulsed Doppler Frequency Band: S (3.0 GHz – 3.3 GHz) Azimuth FOV: 360 degree Elevation FOV: 40 degree Operating Temperature: –20 degree C to +60 degree C (–4 degree F to +140 degree F)

Prometheus Security Group Global (PSG), the FED-GOV Nuclear Security Platform and a pioneer in Zero Trust physical security and operational technology (OT) solutions, announces a technology partnership with Mercury Security, a pioneer in open-architecture access control hardware, to extend Zero Trust principles deeper into physical security environments — all the way to the far edge. The partnership combines Mercury’s industry-pioneer access control platform with PSG’s patented technology for embedding Zero Trust directly at the far-edge device — including sensors, door hardware, readers, cameras, and other field devices. By establishing trusted device identity and cryptographically authenticating and verifying field signals, PSG enables physical security systems to move beyond assumed inputs to authenticated, verified data at its source — before that data ever enters the network. Verifying field signals Through its partnership organizations work to reduce cyber risk across operational and physical security environments, confidence in the integrity of field-device data is increasingly critical. Most physical security systems inherently trust their field inputs and continue to rely on decades-old end-of-line resistor (EOL) technology, which was designed to detect circuit faults but provides no device identity, authentication, or signal verification. “Zero Trust begins with knowing that the data entering a system is both authenticated and verified. Mercury’s leadership in access control, combined with PSG’s embedded identity and signal verification at Layers 0 and 1, gives customers a powerful way to strengthen security at the far edge — across both analog and digital environments — without requiring wholesale replacement of existing infrastructure,” said Rick Gross, CEO, Prometheus Security Group Global. Physical security decisions “Mercury has built its reputation on delivering open, flexible, and highly reliable access control solutions. By collaborating with PSG, we are strengthening the integrity of physical security data and supporting the evolving cybersecurity requirements of our customers,” said Damon Dageenakis, Senior Director of Product Management, Mercury Security. Under the partnership, PSG and Mercury will collaborate on technology initiatives, market education, and customer engagement designed to help security leaders apply Zero Trust principles throughout physical security systems — strengthening security at the far edge while preserving investments in existing physical security infrastructure. For PSG, the partnership represents an important step in advancing a broader Zero Trust architecture for physical security: establishing trust not only in users and networks, but also in the devices, communications, events, and data that drive physical security decisions. As AI and advanced analytics increasingly influence those decisions, the ability to authenticate and verify data at its source becomes even more critical — AI can only be as trusted as the data it receives.

Genetec Inc., the pioneer in enterprise physical security software, announces that independent analyst reports from Omdia and Novaira Insights have once again ranked the company as the global market pioneer in video management software. Both reports show that Genetec increased its market share in 2025, reinforcing its leadership position in this multi-billion-dollar market as organizations worldwide modernise their physical security operations. Genetec grew 20% against the 13.3% growth in the video software and VSaaS market, according to the latest Omdia research. The second and third-place vendors did not keep pace, ending the year flat or down. Video management software “Growth in this market is not evenly distributed,” said Paul Bremner, Practice Leader for Physical Security at Omdia. “Buyers are consolidating around vendors that can deliver cloud, on-premises, and hybrid from a single open platform, and those vendors are taking share from ones that cannot.”      Independently conducted research by Novaira Insights also ranked Genetec number one worldwide in total video surveillance software and service agreements. The research also showed continued market share gains across regions, including the #1 spot in the Americas for the 15th consecutive year; the largest market share growth among the top 10 vendors in EMEA; and a strong top three showing in Asia Pacific. “The world's most demanding organizations are choosing Genetec as they modernise their security,” said Christian Morin, Vice President of Product Engineering at Genetec Inc. “They need a system of record built to IT standards, one that runs at enterprise scale and does not lock them in. They are choosing a platform they can build their future on, and our continued share gains show it.”

Ambient.ai, the pioneer in Agentic Physical Security, announces new capabilities across the Ambient Platform, adding agentic intelligence to how security teams monitor, investigate, and operate. The new capabilities include an AI agent that continuously monitors every camera and surfaces what matters most, a new case management workflow that turns scattered clips into a single connected incident story in minutes, and infrastructure upgrades that double camera density on existing hardware. Fully connected investigation “Recording video was never the hard part,” said Vikesh Khanna, CTO & Co-founder, Ambient.ai. “The hard part is understanding what's happening on a site when it actually matters. Among the set of new capabilities, Agentic Video Walls  give operators an agent that monitors every camera on their behalf, and Case Management, an automated workflow that, paired with Semantic Search, turns hours of manual scrubbing into a fully connected investigation in minutes. That's the difference between a simple system of record and a platform that reasons alongside your team.” Plain-language description The Ambient Platform introduces enhancements across three core areas, situational awareness, investigations, and operational scale: Agentic Video Walls - Brings an AI agent to every connected camera on site, acting like a relentless, hyper-focused editor: scanning every stream, deciding what belongs on the front page, and surfacing it in real time. The agent monitors around the clock and surfaces the single most relevant event once every 60 seconds, paired with an AI-generated, plain-language description of what's happening. Case Management - Turns scattered manual work into one continuous flow. After tracking a person across cameras using natural language through Semantic Search, operators record clips directly into a case as they're found, then generate a fully editable, AI-written narrative with one click, complete with auto-sorted clips and metadata. From there, cases can be downloaded as a compressed, sequenced folder or shared through expiring, revocable links with a full audit trail. Semantic Search Streamlining - Semantic Search is the platform’s engine that lets operators describe who or what they're looking for in plain language, feeding straight into a case instead of hours of manual scrubbing. This release sharpens results across the board: matching frames of the same person or vehicle across a five-minute span now group into a single result, and results filter down to a specific camera or group. Double Stream Density - Ambient Foundation now supports up to 2x the camera streams on a single Ambient Edge Appliance, made possible by a smaller, more focused application that frees up compute and memory per stream. Existing customers get double the streams on current appliances, and new sites need half as many appliances to cover the same camera count. These new capabilities, along with other recent platform updates, will be demonstrated live at the Ambient.ai booth (#3923) at GSX 2026.

Antare, a new agentic security platform for body-worn and fixed cameras, has launched. UK-based Antare uses artificial intelligence to automatically review security footage, detect incidents, alert teams, and document every event, transforming everyday operations into actionable insight that helps improve performance and reduce operational risk. The platform is compatible with both Antare’s intelligent body-worn cameras and customers’ own existing fixed camera infrastructure. Antare's body-worn cameras capture the moments before, during, and after every incident, preserving the context that helps organizations understand what really happened, protect their employees, and manage their liabilities. This matters because abuse and violence towards frontline staff is rising and incidents often do not have a defined beginning. Employees no longer have to remember to start a recording in the middle of a confrontation. Separate AI agents The Antare Console reviews all video and audio as it is recorded, and transcribes, indexes and scores each event automatically. Separate AI agents watch for specific signals, including physical and verbal assaults, suspicious behavior, safety risks, medical events or weapons, and send in-the-moment alerts and live video to colleagues via the Antare App. Antare also surfaces patterns that manual review is prone to miss, like repeat offenders, theft hotspots and recurring problems across sites. Free text search allows users to investigate further, while daily email summaries ensure key events are never missed. Body-worn cameras Antare offers two models of body-worn cameras that work out of the box for US, UK, and EU customers. The Antare Body-worn Camera Pro is designed for frontline staff in demanding environments where extended battery life, GPS capabilities and rugged durability are important. The Antare Body-worn Camera Compact is a lightweight alternative, intended for customer-facing teams who need discreet protection during their shifts. The Antare Dock charges four cameras at once between shifts. Both models, including cellular connectivity and unlimited users for the Antare Console, are available through a simple, all-inclusive monthly subscription, with no minimum order quantity and no fixed term. Pre-configured alarms The Antare Cloud Gateway, coming soon, integrates the full range of Antare’s cloud capabilities with customers’ existing fixed cameras, so body-worn and fixed cameras live in a single console, with no separate systems to manage. Customers can also choose from a range of pre-configured alarms, as well as configure their own alarms via free text description. Antare’s own fixed camera range is set to follow in early 2027, supplied and installed by accredited partners. Partners can register interest now at www.antare.ai/partners. Footage is encrypted on Antare devices and in transit, then erased from the device once it reaches the secure cloud, where access is role-based. Data is stored in your local region - UK, EU or US - and deleted automatically after 30 days unless an authorized user marks it for retention. Antare is SOC 2 Type I certified and GDPR compliant, with SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 certifications in progress. Physical security platforms Mark Michaelides, CEO of Antare: “Antare was founded on the belief that today’s physical security platforms are failing to deal effectively with emerging safety and operational risks, leaving businesses with expensive legacy investments that do not fulfill their evolving needs. Traditional security solutions have focused on after-the-fact review, while more modern systems have enabled live alerts. Antare has built a different type of intelligence platform to deliver both, while shortening time from alert to triage and enabling quicker post-incident investigation.” “Following strong results in trials across private security, hospitality and retail customers, Antare is available on subscription for body-worn cameras from today, with the Antare Cloud Gateway coming soon. One console that turns disparate data into action, intelligence, and insights.”

The eagerness to adopt AI in physical security is increasing as teams want to implement technology solutions for faster, smarter operations. At the same time, the conversations surrounding AI have changed. The focus now includes not only efficiency gains but also concerns about accountability and trust. According to the Genetec 2026 State of Physical Security report, AI ranked alongside access control and video surveillance as a key priority. However, approximately 40% of the over 7,000 physical security leaders surveyed expressed concern about how AI systems use their data. The potential for malicious purposes followed close behind at 36%. You may recognize this tension in your own organization. There is an expectation that AI can help operations and an understanding that AI entails risks. Balancing the two includes careful deployment and policies. Higher stakes demand a higher standard AI can quickly spot the difference and elevate the event to the security team Most AI applications in physical security revolve around automation. Basic examples include triggering events, filtering and classifying alarms, and enabling faster searches across video and event data. These applications tackle the persistent security challenges of too much noise and too little context. AI takes on some of the lifting, cutting the false positives that overwhelm operators and adding context to the events that remain. For example, someone loitering near an entrance may not be a notable event. While someone loitering and trying door handles is a priority. AI can quickly spot the difference and elevate the event to the security team. From there, the human operator can confirm the issue and next steps. AI narrows the operator's focus rather than replacing their judgment. Higher standard of supervision While these uses improve operator efficiency, they need to be implemented responsibly. Irresponsible AI usage in physical security is more than a simple inconvenience. The outputs affect safety and security. AI applications within physical security demand a higher standard of supervision. This oversight is often referred to as “human in the loop,” but perhaps a better phrase is "expert in the loop." The person validating an output needs the knowledge to question it, contextualise it, and overrule it if needed. How to deploy responsible AI Deploying responsible AI starts by defining where AI can add value to your specific organization Deploying responsible AI starts by defining where AI can add value to your specific organization. AI works best as a tool with a defined job. What is the problem that needs to be solved? What challenges are holding back the team? Start by identifying the problems, then work backward to a solution. Otherwise, you may be implementing technology that doesn’t fully meet your needs. Next, define parameters around AI usage within your team. Document exactly what AI is permitted to do and not allowed to do within your operations. Information should include which use cases you've approved, what data the system can access, and how issues escalate. By defining these elements, your team has clear guidelines on when AI tools are part of your security procedures and for what purposes. Cross-functional monthly meetings Because AI can behave unpredictably, it’s good to prepare for when something does go wrong. Even a well-built model will eventually drift from its thresholds. This is where governance comes in. Governance is what keeps responsible AI holding up over time. It sets the review cycles that catch an issue before an incident does. Governance related to AI entails data privacy, liability, and regulation. Input from legal, compliance, cybersecurity, and IT teams is important. Getting these groups together starts with something as simple as cross-functional monthly meetings to review use cases and emerging challenges. Consider also working with other manufacturers, integrators, and end users across your ecosystem. In doing so, you create shared standards that make issues diagnosable. Responsible AI as a practice, not a project The goal is to protect individual rights and build trust without hampering technological advancement Responsible AI usage in security is not a box to check or a project to complete. It's an ongoing practice, especially as the compliance bar rises. As more AI security risks surface, governments are drafting legislation to regulate how organizations can develop and implement AI-enabled technology. The goal is to protect individual rights and build trust without hampering technological advancement. Identified risk category For example, the 2024 AI Act in the European Union (EU) sets obligations for various AI applications based on their identified risk category. These requirements include creating adequate risk assessments and mitigation practices, using high-quality training datasets to reduce bias, and sharing detailed documentation on models with governing authorities as needed. In the US, multiple states have implemented legislation on AI use, and national legislation has been discussed. Organizations can begin by implementing documented processes for guidelines and governance: Conduct risk assessments: Evaluate how automating a specific process may impact critical systems or safety protocols Identify non-critical applications: Start by implementing AI into processes that aren’t central to your most critical operations to curb major business disruptions Prioritise human-centred design: Ensure that AI applications always empower humans with the information they need to make the best decisions Design for explainability: Ensure AI decisions can be explained and traced, so the expert in the loop can question, verify, or overrule them when needed. Broaden data protection strategies: Apply cybersecurity measures and best practices to AI-enabled solutions, including regular audits and system updates Choose trusted vendors: Work with vendors who follow responsible AI principles, considering biases, data protection, and cybersecurity Core pillar of physical security The industry is slowly converging on shared standards for AI governance. This is good news for early adopters who wish to shape the industry rather than react to it. The potential applications of AI in security are exciting. But as this technology evolves, so do the risks. Strong governance builds trust, a core pillar of physical security. Responsible AI protects that trust and earns more of it. Start by defining your outcomes, building guardrails, and creating accountability structures to support your organization’s responsible use of AI technology.

In logistics hubs, production facilities and distribution centers, the access control system is invisible—until it isn't. For decades, the 125 kHz card has been the workhorse of industrial credentialing: inexpensive, reliable and universally understood. It does exactly what it has always done. That consistency has served many organizations well, even as security needs and credential From authentication to smart buildings, gain expert insights about unified access. The same card technology that opened the warehouse gate in 2005 is opening it today. And while operations teams have upgraded conveyors, ERP systems and warehouse management platforms, the front door has often remained on technology selected for an earlier era. Major operational event Why? It is rarely about a lack of awareness. More often, organizations are balancing cost, time and operational risk. In a facility that never stops, a full systemwide upgrade can feel less like a routine project and more like a major operational event. The path forward is continuous modernisation: deploying an agile access layer that adapts to new security requirements and credential technologies over time, rather than replacing everything at once. Universal reader technology makes that possible, without the “Big Bang” shutdown. Why legacy systems can benefit from modernisation The 125 kHz card (also named proximity, prox or low-frequency) helped set a practical standard for convenience and broad compatibility, but many organizations are now evaluating where its security model can be improved by newer options: Increased cryptographic protection. Traditional low-frequency credentials transmit a fixed identifier, which can make them harder to align with today’s expectations for encrypted and dynamic authentication. Increased credential validation. Traditional proximity systems do not provide the kind of mutual authentication or challenge‑response mechanisms that are increasingly common in newer credential platforms. Better protection from duplication/cloning. Because the credential model is comparatively simple, 125 kHz cards present fewer barriers to duplication or cloning than modern encrypted credentials which are inherently designed to better distinguish authorized users from copied identifies. An opportunity to secure the full path. Many legacy deployments also rely on Wiegand communication between reader and controller, creating a strong case for modernisation to encrypted, supervised protocols that help protect credential data in transit. Keeping the interoperability benefit of Prox. Newer open standard provides the same interoperability benefits while addressing improved security. The opportunity for the front door At the same time, security teams face an expanding threat landscape and compliance requirements A traditional access control upgrade is not just a technology swap. It means new readers at every door, new credentials issued to every employee and contractor, platform reconfiguration and installation labor across a facility that cannot afford to stop. Against that backdrop, the rational choice is often to do nothing. At the same time, security teams face an expanding threat landscape and compliance requirements that increasingly demand encrypted credentials. And with Apple Wallet corporate badges and BLE mobile credentials moving into the mainstream, employees and contractors will soon expect to use their phone as their badge, at least as an option if not the primary means of credential presentation. Four specific friction points keep organizations locked in place long after they know they should move. The logistical bottleneck - Replacing a proximity-based system has traditionally meant doing everything at once: new readers, new credentials, new platform configuration, every employee and contractor rebadged before the cutover date. For a site running 24/7 with extensive staff and rotating contractors, that isn’t just an upgrade. It’s a logistical nightmare requiring a hard shutdown. The rebadging event alone, coordinating hundreds or thousands of people through a credential transition on a fixed timeline, can consume weeks of HR and security operations bandwidth. The Credential Soup - Most logistics organizations are not running one clean credential population. They are running three or four: legacy prox for permanent staff, a different format inherited from an acquisition, a contractor badge system managed by a third party, a mobile pilot that never fully rolled out. None of them talk to each other, and no single reader handles all of them. Frozen Infrastructure - Static readers support only the credential formats they shipped with or have limited format support for updates. When a new vulnerability is disclosed or a new mobile standard is released, the hardware has no path to adapt. The only option is physical replacement, which means another capital project, more installation labor, and the same shutdown risk all over again. The Cyber-Physical Gap - IT departments run zero-trust architectures and encrypt everything on the network. Then the same organization unlocks its server room with a Wiegand-protocol reader transmitting credentials in plain text. The IT security perimeter ends at the network edge. The physical front door is a different conversation entirely, and often nobody's budget. The way forward: Continuous modernisation of access credentials A continuous modernisation plan is both easier and more cost-effective than a one-time “rip-and-replace” event The answer to the Big Bang problem is not a better-planned Big Bang. It is a fundamentally different approach to access infrastructure that treats modernisation as an ongoing capability rather than a one-time event. A continuous modernisation plan is both easier and more cost-effective than a one-time “rip-and-replace” event. It significantly lowers the labor and logistical costs of rebadging the entire organization at once and eliminates the need for forced downtime entirely. Instead, organizations upgrade incrementally (by site, by department, or as credentials expire), keeping operations running and spreading costs over time. And with future-proof universal reader technology, the reader stops being a fixed asset and becomes a platform that continues to evolve as needs change. Start with a universal infrastructure The foundation of continuous modernisation is a universal reader that can handle whatever credentials are already in the building (legacy proximity, modern smart cards, mobile credentials) while remaining ready for whatever comes next. As access technologies continue to evolve, support for additional credential formats and security approaches can be added through firmware updates rather than hardware replacement, ensuring a secure and future-proof access system. The burden can further be eased by the use of a universal credential that can support existing formats along with new formats, enabling the credentials to work on existing readers as well as new readers. Let old and new credentials coexist Legacy 125 kHz cards continue to function in parallel until the organization is ready to retire them With a multi-technology reader in place, the rebadging process becomes a rolling transition rather than a synchronized event. New employees get modern credentials from day one. Existing staff transition as badges are renewed or departments are prioritised. Legacy 125 kHz cards continue to function in parallel until the organization is ready to retire them. Eventually, 125 kHz support or insecure credential support can be switched off, cleanly and deliberately, via a remote firmware update. That means no forced downtime, and no mass confusion at the turnstiles. This applies equally to secure migration to either modern symmetric credentials (such as HID Seos or LEAF) or emerging asymmetric credentials (such as PKOC, Aliro or LEAF Verified). Secure the whole chain, not just the card Upgrading credentials without addressing the communication layer is only half the job. Moving from Wiegand to OSDP Secure Channel (a bidirectional, AES-128 encrypted protocol) closes the replay attack vulnerability and adds tamper detection between reader and controller. Modern credentials and a secure communication layer together protect the entire authentication chain, from the card or smartphone all the way to the access control platform. This becomes critical when the reader is handling the decryption of a secure credential and then communicating to the panel in clear text. OSDP encrypts this last step of communication, while also offering industry best practices for managing reader devices. Choose infrastructure that doesn't choose for you Interoperability is not just a convenience feature. It is a strategic asset Interoperability is not just a convenience feature. It is a strategic asset. A facility running universal reader infrastructure compatible with most transponder technologies and credential formats (physical and mobile) is insulated from vendor lock-in and the next credential transition. Universal readers also act as merger-and-acquisition insurance: when a company acquires a facility running a different badge system or a contractor arrives with an unfamiliar card format, existing readers can be configured to accept the new credentials from day one. As access technologies and credential standards continue to evolve, organizations with adaptable reader infrastructure will absorb that shift as a firmware update. Those without it will face another capital project. A market in motion: beyond legacy credentials Emerging open standards (which reduce vendor dependency) and widely adopted proprietary platforms are both moving the market toward stronger cryptography. These credentials can be delivered on physical smart cards, mobile devices or both. Organizations selecting reader infrastructure today should ensure it is prepared to support this transition without requiring a hardware swap. Several initiatives are gaining significant traction: LEAF Identity: An interoperable credential framework built on strong symmetric encryption, already deployed across a meaningful number of installations and a proven replacement path for legacy proximity systems LEAF Verified: A next‑generation physical access credential platform built on NXP’s MIFARE DUOX that uses public‑key cryptography to eliminate traditional shared key management and enable interoperable, vendor‑neutral access control. PKOC (Public Key Open Credential): An open, vendor-agnostic credential specification from the Physical Security Interoperability Alliance using asymmetric public key cryptography, in which the private key never leaves the device and a derivative of the public key is the credential Aliro: An open mobile-first credential standard released in February 2026 by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), the organization behind the Matter smart home standard. Backed by Apple, Google, Samsung, and 220+ industry members providing native wallet, offline device support and mailbox features on top of asymmetric public key cryptography. HID Seos: A widely deployed proprietary credential platform that continues to drive responsible, large-scale secure symmetric-based encrypted deployments across small to enterprise environments for both card and mobile deployment, including wallet. Security that scales The same principles apply equally to a single site or a logistics operator running 5,000 employees The same principles apply equally to a single site or a logistics operator running 5,000 employees across a dozen sites. Because no single cutover date is required, a large organization can sequence the migration by site, by department or by credential expiry cycle. The operational risk that makes a traditional upgrade unthinkable at scale becomes manageable when the transition is invisible to the people walking through the doors. The pressure to act is reaching a tipping point. Apple Wallet corporate badges and BLE mobile credentials are arriving in earnest in 2026, as well as asymmetric smart card options. These technologies are rapidly moving from isolated pilots into mainstream enterprise deployment across logistics, manufacturing and production environments. Evolve security infrastructure Organizations that have already invested in universal reader and credential infrastructure that is firmware-updateable and mobile-ready will absorb that shift without a second thought. Those that haven't will face another rip-and-replace decision just as the mobile credential wave hits. Organizations that have already invested in universal reader and credential infrastructure Continuous modernisation is not a one-time project. It is a permanent capability: the ability to evolve security infrastructure at the organization's own pace, without forced downtime, without mass rebadging events, and without being held hostage to the next credential transition. Organizations that build that capability today are not just solving a security problem. They are future-proofing the way their facilities move. Universal access from ELATEC ELATEC's TWN4 universal readers are built on an agnostic design strategy: multi-technology, multi-frequency, and software-configurable, so organizations are not locked into a single credential technology or vendor. Key capabilities across the TWN4 family: Support for 100+ physical and mobile credentials and 60+ transponder technologies RFID, NFC, and BLE in a single reader platform Software-configurable via the ELATEC DevPack: credential formats, encryption settings, and security protocols can be updated remotely without hardware replacement Supports backward and forward compatibility as new standards emerge Available in a range of form factors for door access, desktop enrollment, OEM integration, and industrial applications

For years, physical security and cybersecurity evolved on parallel tracks. One team managed doors, badges and cameras, while the other handled network access, authentication and logical assets. The systems rarely shared information and, in many organizations, they still do not. That separation is becoming harder to defend now that employees move continuously between physical and logical environments throughout the workday. A single person may badge into a building, access cloud applications, reserve workspaces, connect to operational systems and authenticate into sensitive applications within minutes. Disconnected identity systems Yet many organizations still treat each interaction as a separate identity event managed by different systems with different policies and different visibility. Attackers, with the help of AI, are becoming increasingly adept at exploiting those gaps. According to HID’s 2026 State of Security and Identity Report, identity management is now the top strategic priority for security leaders, with 73% identifying it as a trend shaping their security planning. The report also found that managing multiple disconnected identity systems is now the primary operational challenge for more than half of respondents. This shows that identity is becoming the link between physical security, cybersecurity and operational resilience. Fragmented identity creates operational and security risk The growing convergence between physical and logical environments has raised the stakes considerably Many organizations accumulated identity systems over time rather than designing them as a unified architecture. Access control platforms, visitor management systems, HR provisioning tools, multifactor authentication systems and workplace applications were often deployed independently to solve specific operational needs. Individually, these systems may function well. Together, they often create administrative duplication, overhead and blind spots. A terminated contractor may lose network access immediately while retaining physical access to facilities for days. An employee may require multiple credentials to navigate a single workday. Security teams may need to reconcile disconnected logs across several systems during an investigation. These inefficiencies slow response times and increase operational risk. The growing convergence between physical and logical environments has raised the stakes considerably. Modern attacks increasingly target the connections between systems, particularly where identity validation is inconsistent. HID’s research highlights growing concern around AI-driven credential attacks, biometric spoofing and phishing campaigns designed to exploit fragmented identity environments. This is one reason organizations are reevaluating identity management from the ground up. Converged credentials reduce complexity One of the clearest developments in this evolution is the growing adoption of converged credentials One of the clearest developments in this evolution is the growing adoption of converged credentials, where a single trusted identity is used across both physical and logical environments. This allows one credential to securely support access to buildings, workstations, cloud applications and other enterprise systems. The operational advantages are substantial since security teams gain more consistent governance across environments and IT and facilities teams reduce administrative duplication. Organizations simplify onboarding and offboarding workflows while improving auditability and compliance visibility. Users benefit from a more seamless experience that supports how modern workplaces actually operate. Importantly, converged identity strategies also reduce the number of credentials employees must manage. They are no longer forced to manage separate badges, passwords, tokens and access workflows across disconnected systems. That simplification means employees are less likely to seek workarounds. HID’s 2026 State of Security and Identity Report found that 75% of organizations have either deployed or are actively evaluating physical-logical identity convergence solutions. Mobile credentials are changing expectations Mobile credentials are also reshaping how organizations think about identity management. What began primarily as a convenience initiative has matured into a broader security and operational strategy. HID’s research found that 74% of organizations have already deployed or are actively planning to deploy mobile credentials. Security improvement now ranks ahead of convenience as the primary driver for adoption. Mobile credentials support encrypted communication, biometric authentication and real-time credential lifecycle management. Administrators can issue, revoke or update credentials remotely without requiring physical card replacement. Organizations also gain stronger visibility into credential usage and access patterns. Credential lifecycle management Equally important, mobile identity aligns with broader expectations of the workforce Equally important, mobile identity aligns with broader expectations of the workforce. Employees increasingly expect workplace access experiences to mirror the simplicity of consumer technology, whether they are accessing offices, applications or services. The future is unlikely to be entirely mobile, however. Most organizations are expected to maintain hybrid credential environments for the foreseeable future, combining mobile credentials with physical cards and other identity technologies based on operational needs and user requirements. Biometrics expands beyond MFA Biometric technologies are becoming more central to identity strategies across industries. Historically, biometric technologies were primarily deployed for multifactor authentication and to protect highly secure environments. HID’s research shows that organizations are increasingly adopting biometrics as part of core access control and identity verification workflows. This trend is particularly visible in sectors where identity assurance and operational efficiency are both critical. Healthcare organizations are using biometrics to strengthen patient identification, secure sensitive areas and streamline staff authentication workflows. Higher education institutions are exploring biometric-enabled mobile experiences that support campus access, workspace login and digital services. Transportation operators are deploying facial recognition to accelerate passenger processing while improving identity verification. With broader adoption comes greater scrutiny around privacy, transparency and governance. Organizations are paying closer attention to how biometric data are collected, protected and managed. HID’s report found that privacy and ethical concerns surrounding biometrics rose sharply year over year, reinforcing the importance of encryption, secure architecture and privacy-first design approaches. Physical access is now part of cybersecurity As physical and logical systems converge, every access decision carries more weight As physical and logical systems converge, every access decision carries more weight. The credential used at the door may also support workstation login, cloud application access and other enterprise workflows. That makes the integrity of the entire identity chain more important, from the credential and reader to the systems that manage permissions, events and audits. This is where older access infrastructure becomes a real liability. Legacy cards, weak reader-to-controller communication and disconnected credential systems can undermine even a strong cybersecurity program. If an organization cannot prove who entered a facility, whether the credential was valid and how that event relates to logical access activity, it is working with partial visibility. Common governance model Converged identity helps close that gap by linking physical and logical access under a common governance model. Organizations can apply more consistent policies, reduce credential fragmentation and accelerate investigations. IT gains stronger assurance that the person accessing systems is tied to the same trusted identity used to enter the building. Security teams gain better context when reviewing access events, anomalies or incidents. This does not require an organization to replace everything at once. The practical path is phased modernisation: moving away from easily cloned cards, strengthening reader and credential security, improving integration with identity systems and choosing architectures that can evolve as requirements change. Identity is becoming core to enterprise infrastructure. It now supports access control, cybersecurity, compliance, workplace experience and operational continuity. Organizations that treat identity as an infrastructure will be better positioned to reduce risk without adding unnecessary friction for users.

Deploying artificial intelligence (AI) tools should be seen as a business initiative rather than a technology initiative, says Martin Soukup, CTO of Solink, a cloud-based video security and data intelligence platform. The approach makes a difference that plays out in practical terms. A technology initiative is tactical and solution-oriented, often solving an isolated problem within a single department's silo. In other words, it might solve just a security problem. In contrast, a business initiative is cross-disciplinary, driven by executive leadership to impact the entire organization in a measurable way. “Viewing AI tools as a business initiative ensures they adapt to multiple departmental needs and drive high-level strategic growth rather than just fixing a localised technical issue,” says Soukup. AI platform combines video and business systems Demonstrating the value of embracing AI as a business initiative is Solink’s new video intelligence platform Demonstrating the value of embracing AI as a business initiative is Solink’s new video intelligence platform that combines video with business systems to detect threats and send real-time alerts. The capabilities are designed to help security teams operate smarter and more efficiently, supporting the next generation of lean, intelligence-driven security operations centers (SOCs). And benefits of the platform extend beyond security to include other parts of the business. “At the end of the day, video cameras only tell part of the story, much like looking at a 2D shape,” says Soukup. “They capture dimensions and colors, but only from a single perspective, even with powerful AI analysis providing traffic metrics, wait times, product interaction, and compliance logs. The addition of operational data, such as inventory, shipping, labor, and sales data, fills out that shape into 3D, adding critical context.” For example, while a camera simply shows three people standing in a line, and AI data flags that those individuals have been waiting for over five minutes, operational data lets you know also that a cashier has not checked into their shift yet. Combining these data streams gives businesses full situational awareness, turning passive observation into immediate, contextual intervention. AI agents handle repetitive tasks The Solink platform uses AI Agents, which are software that operates autonomously to handle manual, repetitive, or high-volume tasks based on specific instructions and tools. For Solink users, AI Agents unify their existing camera and data source investments into a single automated workflow. “AI Agents transform Solink from a security tool into an operational investment that benefits all departments,” says Soukup. “Modern operational leaders are turning to AI to scale productivity without increasing overhead.” Integrating business intelligence Operations checks compliance, loss prevention investigates theft, and security assesses threats Customers already use Solink to centralize video, integrate business intelligence, and trigger real-world responses like real-world alerts, two-way communication, or smart locks. AI Agents tie these pieces together, analyze the data and identify what matters most, and then take action either without human intervention or with humans in the loop. Businesses currently watch video manually across separate workflows. Operations checks compliance, loss prevention investigates theft, and security assesses threats. However, a human must always watch the footage to get results. Solink AI Agents automate this entire workflow. If an operational event can be seen on camera and matters to the business, a Solink Agent can be integrated to automatically review, assess, and trigger the next step in the workflow across hundreds or thousands of locations simultaneously. Calling all stakeholders to the discussion When discussing applications, stakeholders should include revenue and marketing officers, compliance officers, and line-of-business executives. Agents leverage existing infrastructure by adding an intelligent automation layer that drives efficiency and grows revenue across the entire organization without large capital investment. Solink AI Agents will not replace employees; they empower lean teams to maximize their existing resources. Job descriptions will shift toward human-in-the-loop workflows where humans and machines collaborate. The AI Agent handles the high volume, filtering out noise and processing data at scale. Human employees set up and guide the Agents, give feedback to improve performance over time, and step in to make final decisions, managing the nuanced situations that require critical thinking, empathy, and deep context. Passive data visualization In contrast, a Solink AI Agent is deployed with a clear mandate for a specific task, deliverable, or outcome Given the convergence of physical and digital security, AI Agents, not dashboards, are the right unit of enterprise AI deployment. Dashboards typically aggregate data without evaluating the context or importance of the source. Data looks identical whether it comes from 10 sources or 100. In contrast, a Solink AI Agent is deployed with a clear mandate for a specific task, deliverable, or outcome. This approach shifts the focus from passive data visualization to active intent, creating a direct path of accountability and clear attribution for business results. With dashboards, everyone can see the problem, but nobody owns it. An agent with a mandate either did the job or it did not, and you can audit exactly what it saw and why it acted or did not. Overcoming obstacles to deploy AI agents The primary obstacles to integrating AI Agents into the physical security workflow are change management, building trust, and system interoperability. Physical security requires absolute reliability, which demands rigorous initial configuration to establish trust. Furthermore, Agents are only as effective as the data they can access. Overcoming these hurdles requires comprehensive team training, shifting organizational mindsets, and ensuring seamless integration with existing tools so the Agents have the full context needed to execute tasks accurately and integrate with human workflows seamlessly. Addressing common security challenges Several use cases are driving the deployment of AI Agents among Solink's customers Several use cases are driving the deployment of AI Agents among Solink's customers. Overnight guarding, loss prevention, and store readiness will be the first wave of use cases. These are proven, high-frequency scenarios in which Solink provides pre-built template Agents to address common security challenges out of the box. The second wave of use cases will include highly customisable occupancy tracking, health and safety, and food quality. Pre-built template Agents are coming for these next. In addition, custom, niche operational use cases can be tailored to a specific business environment. Just like hiring a specialized contractor, companies can deploy custom Agents to tackle unique operational challenges rapidly across all locations. Measuring the effectiveness of AI agents The effectiveness of AI Agents can be measured by multiple factors. Core Accuracy, and consistency and accuracy of detections and automated outputs. Business Outcomes delivered, such as reduced inventory loss, reduced fraud, and faster incident resolution. Financial Impact, measured through recovered budget, reduced operational overhead, and increased per-store conversion. There is a perception that AI Agents possess predictive or flawless capabilities, like stopping crime before it happens or operating perfectly in dark, chaotic environments. Not true, says Soukup. AI cannot understand ambiguous requests like "look for suspicious activity." Success requires explicit parameters, tools, and skills, defining what is acceptable, what is unauthorized, and how to handle the gray areas. Another misconception is that Agents need a fundamentally different security model than people. “I run security for this company as well as engineering, and I hold our own Agents to the same standard I would hold a third-party vendor,” says Soukup. “That means least privilege, full audit trails, anomaly detection, random audits, and no action they can't explain after the fact.”

Combining VIVOTEK’s branded video security business with March Networks paves the way for the combined brands to meet customers’ increasing appetite for integrated solutions rather than individual components. The merger brings VIVOTEK's branded video security business together under one operating structure with March Networks’ enterprise-grade video surveillance, AI analytics, and cloud-managed security solutions. Customers now have access to a broader, more integrated portfolio spanning enterprise video management, advanced cameras, edge artificial intelligence (AI), cloud services, recording platforms, and business intelligence, says Net Payne, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer at March Networks and VIVOTEK. Distinct product strategies Given the combined companies, product development, sales, marketing, and customer support can move in step rather than in parallel. March Networks and VIVOTEK were already both part of the Delta Electronics family, but they previously operated as separate businesses with distinct product strategies, teams, and routes to market. March Networks and VIVOTEK announced the merger of their branded video security businesses last spring following Delta Electronics' acquisition of remaining VIVOTEK shares. “Aligning our complementary capabilities lets us innovate faster, simplify engagement, and respond more quickly to a market moving toward AI, cloud and intelligent video,” says Payne. This merger reflects a broader shift across the physical security industry, adds Payne. “Customers no longer see video purely as a tool for reviewing incidents after the fact,” he says. “They expect it to help identify risks earlier, simplify investigations, improve operations, and support better decisions across the organization.” Cloud video management Meeting customer expectations requires more than bolting AI features onto existing systems Meeting customer expectations requires more than bolting AI features onto existing systems. Rather, it requires cameras, edge intelligence, recording, software, cloud services, and business data working together as one coordinated platform. “By bringing March Networks and VIVOTEK together, we combine deep expertise across the full video technology stack while preserving the relationships, sector knowledge and customer focus both companies have built over many years,” says Payne. “Our goal is to make intelligent video more integrated, scalable, and practical for customers and partners worldwide.” Both entities bring strengths to the combined companies. March Networks brings experience in enterprise software, cloud video management and large-scale deployments; while VIVOTEK brings strength in imaging, camera technology and edge intelligence. Together they seek to ensure more choice when designing systems, a clearer path for future expansion, and technologies that work together more effectively without compromising the reliability, cybersecurity, and support customers expect from both companies. Advantages for channel partners Channel partners gain a broader portfolio to address a wider range of customer requirements, combining components as each deployment demands. Channel partners also benefit from expanded geographic reach, deeper technical expertise, and greater investment in training and enablement. “Importantly, this is designed to be a seamless transition,” says Payne. “Partners keep working with the teams and relationships they already know, while gaining access to new capabilities and certification opportunities. Over time, that alignment should make it easier to design, deploy and support complete solutions.” Because they are established and respected brands, March Networks and VIVOTEK branding will continue to be used. Rebranding is not a goal, and neither identity is being replaced by the other. Coordinated decision-making “The immediate priority is organizational alignment by making it easier for customers and partners to benefit from the combined portfolio,” says Payne. Product branding will continue to reflect the relevant portfolio and market context. As product roadmaps become more closely coordinated, customers can expect greater interoperability and a more cohesive experience, says Payne. Any future branding changes will be managed carefully and communicated clearly. Combining the businesses reduces duplication and enables coordinated decision-making across product strategy, engineering, sales, marketing, operations, and customer support. “Instead of developing capabilities independently, teams can share their expertise, align roadmaps, and direct investment to where it has the greatest customer impact,” says Payne. Combining specialized knowledge globally The combined organization operates across six continents and more than 75 countries The combined organization includes more than 300 research and development (R&D) engineers across four Centres of Excellence in Canada, Taiwan, Italy and Poland, thus bringing together a substantial base of specialist knowledge. The unified network also sharpens the ability to prioritise global opportunities, respond to regional needs and bring innovations to market faster. The combined organization operates across six continents and more than 75 countries, supported by more than 1,100 certified channel partners. That footprint provides greater capacity to support multinational customers while staying responsive to local market needs. Looking ahead, future growth will increasingly come from helping customers turn video into useful, actionable intelligence. “The market is moving beyond conventional surveillance toward solutions combining AI, cloud services, edge processing, video management and operational data — and our new structure brings these together as one connected solution rather than several isolated technologies,” says Payne. Broader technical expertise There will also be closer collaboration among specialists in imaging, hardware, software, analytics, and cloud, which is important given how much customer infrastructure, regulatory, and deployment requirements vary. The companies can support cloud, hybrid, and on-premise environments, giving organizations a practical path toward more intelligent video. More choice comes from bringing together complementary technologies across product groups. Greater scale is achieved through a larger engineering organization, broader technical expertise and more capacity to invest in innovation. Challenges for the industry at large Looking to the future for the industry at large, the greatest challenge will be managing the rapid growth of AI Looking to the future for the industry at large, the greatest challenge will be managing the rapid growth of AI responsibly, securely and at scale, says Payne. Video systems will generate more data and automate more decisions, but organizations must be able to trust how that intelligence is created, protected, and applied, he adds. “Cybersecurity, privacy, data sovereignty, system interoperability and AI accuracy are more important than ever,” says Payne. Addressing these elements requires expertise across the entire technology stack: from camera and edge processing to recording, cloud infrastructure, video management and analytics. “Together, March Networks and VIVOTEK can coordinate development across all these layers, giving customers flexible architectures that balance innovation with security, transparency and operational control,” says Payne.

The security landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, as evidenced by the innovations showcased at the ISC West Expo 2026. From dismantling of silos between physical and digital security to the ongoing transition to cloud and hybrid platforms, much of the discussion on the show floor was familiar, if somehow more urgent than ever. Clearly the industry is moving toward unified, cloud-native, and highly automated ecosystems. In a series of deep-dive meetings and demonstrations at the recent show, I got a first-hand glimpse of the future of the physical security marketplace. Spoiler alert: The future is now! HID Global: Tearing down the silos HID Global is addressing the long-requested convergence of physical and digital security. Recognizing that the industry has historically operated in silos, HID is now leading with a combined implementation team to leverage the power of both sides. HID is supporting the transition by combining its logical and physical security teams to help end users design secure, end-to-end journeys for their employees. By leveraging its massive existing footprint in physical access, HID is uniquely positioned to help organizations upgrade their cybersecurity posture without a total "rip and replace" of their hardware. HID is seeing a surge in demand for converged credentials that unite building access with digital identity. On the digital front, HID has implemented FIDO (Fast Identity Online) and passkeys to replace traditional passwords with more secure, biometric-backed authentication methods. Acre Security: Bridging the gap to the cloud Acre Security previewed a cloud-native video solution, reinforcing its cloud-first security strategyAcre Security is currently consolidating brands, bringing established names like Feenics and AccessIt under a single corporate umbrella. A primary theme for the company at ISC West is the migration of legacy systems to modern infrastructure. To facilitate the transition, they are launching "The Bridge," a technology designed to help on-premise customers transition to the cloud at a pace that suits their operational needs. The company is also expanding its portfolio into video. Attendees at the show received a preview of a new cloud-native video solution slated for release later this year, signaling Acre’s commitment to a holistic, cloud-first security suite. Acoem: Real-time acoustic threat detection With a 35-year foundation in vibration and acoustics—including military sniper detection—Acoem is providing gunshot detection through edge processing. Unlike systems that rely on the cloud and may suffer from latency, Acoem’s technology processes data at the sensor level for instant alerts. Their sensors are engineered for massive outdoor spaces, covering a 500-foot radius (roughly 11 football fields) and can detect high-powered rifle shots from up to half a mile away. The system provides critical intelligence by distinguishing between muzzle blasts and "mach noise" from bullet travel, delivering an audio file to the end-user that maps the location and direction of the threat. They use AI to filter out environmental false positives, such as skateboards hitting metal rails. Alarm.com: The all-in-one dealer ecosystem Beyond hardware, Alarm.com is leveraging AI to streamline the sales process Alarm.com is doubling down on "giving tools to dealers to help them be successful," with a focus on unified commercial solutions. A highlight at ISC West is their new fire communicator, which integrates fire monitoring into their single app, completing what they call the "fourth leg of the stool." The product allows fire systems to benefit from the same real-time customer engagement and push notifications that have long been available for intrusion and video. The key products, such as commercial-grade hardware, are now available for immediate purchase. Beyond hardware, Alarm.com is leveraging AI to streamline the sales process. Their new AI Proposal Builder uses customer meeting notes to automatically generate customized, value-driven sales proposals for dealers. Allegion: A global shift in credentialing Following the acquisition of ELATEC, Allegion is adopting a more global market approach and expanding its OEM business. The company is involved in the development of Aliro, the newly unveiled mobile credentialing standard. Allegion’s strategy is built on versatility: While Aliro serves the burgeoning mobile market, they also offer PKOC for plastic cards, allowing them to provide solutions regardless of the user's preferred credential type. The ELATEC acquisition has effectively filled previous gaps in their use-case portfolio, positioning them as a comprehensive provider for both physical and digital access needs. AtlasIED: Engineering for life safety Transitioning from audio to a fully automated threat detection company, AtlasIED showcased its new IPX line at ISC West. This modular platform uses a single PoE++ port to power various "plug-and-play" modules, allowing for easy system upgrades. Their gun detection technology achieves a 99% confidence rating by "stacking" AI models; it cross-references audio data with infrared signatures to detect muzzle flashes and air quality sensors for particulates. With systems already running in 80% of U.S. international airports, the company maintains 24/7 domestic engineering support to manage these "life-safety adjacent" environments. Axis Communications: Unifying connectivity Axis Communications is advancing network video with 4G/5G surveillance, reducing cabling needs Axis Communications continues to lead in network video, with a new focus on offering surveillance through 4G and 5G networks to eliminate the need for extensive cabling in long-range applications. Axis also introduced several specialized hardware pieces, including the P1486-LE global shutter camera for high-speed traffic monitoring and the Q2802-TE, which integrates thermal and visual monitoring into a single unit.  To assist technicians, they launched a new installer app that uses Bluetooth for easier camera pairing and management directly from a mobile device. Axon: De-escalation through enterprise wearables Focusing on frontline safety, Axon is expanding from law enforcement into the enterprise sector with its retail and healthcare-focused body camera. Weighing only 0.25 lb, these cameras are designed to be less intimidating, using colorful designs and acting as a primary de-escalator for aggressive behavior. A clear front display signals when recording is active, striking a balance between safety and a non-intimidating appearance. These devices feature live-streaming and panic alarms that connect workers to a Global Security Operations Center (GSOC). To ensure the footage is legally viable, Axon maintains a rigorous audit trail that authenticates every action recorded. Genetec: The value of the unified platform Genetec is advocating for unified platforms that reduce the time between incident detection and resolution. They argue that AI is becoming a commodity and that the true value lies in unified platforms that reduce the time from incident to resolution. Their approach emphasises the "outcomes" customers need, such as allowing security teams to coalesce around an investigation quickly. Genetec remains a strong supporter of open systems for enterprise customers, ensuring they have the choice to integrate diverse technologies rather than being locked into a manufacturer’s “walled garden.” This flexibility is critical for high-end security environments that require tailored, responsive systems. Johnson Controls: Large-scale enterprise solutions Johnson Controls has made a significant push into the enterprise video market with C-Cure IQ, a standalone VMS designed for major hubs like airports and large campuses. Through a partnership with Scylla, they have integrated 11 advanced analytics—including facial recognition and weapons detection—directly into their cameras. They also showcased new multi-sensor panoramic cameras capable of "stitching" multiple images into a single 360-degree view. While innovating in video, Johnson Controls also confirmed modern upgrades to their intrusion line, including their legacy DSC Neo line. The new DSC PowerSeries Neo 5, a high-end residential and commercial platform, features an all-new user interface and built-in PowerG+. They have also begun shipping the IQ5 family lineup, which is powered by a Qualcomm DragonWing processor.  ONVIF: Standardising the future of AI and cloud ONVIF continues to lead the charge in establishing common languages for the security industry. A major focus is their new "Cloud Profile," which enables cameras to connect directly to the cloud through a standardized protocol. They are also expanding into audio standards to ensure IP-based speakers can seamlessly connect to Video Management Systems (VMS). To combat the rise of sophisticated digital manipulation, ONVIF is developing "video signing" standards. ONVIF is actively seeking more diverse enterprise participation to help shape these emerging AI standardsThis feature protects the integrity of video for evidentiary purposes by embedding a digital signature and timestamp directly into the footage at the camera level. Additionally, the organization has formed an AI Working Group to develop common communication methods for "AI agents" within physical security systems. ONVIF is actively seeking more diverse enterprise participation to help shape these emerging AI standards. Roberto Licari is the new ONVIF Ambassador, seeking to attract new companies (even outside the security sector) to ONVIF as they look to expand their offerings. SwiftConnect: Bridging digital and physical identity SwiftConnect is redefining access control by shifting the focus from physical cards to digital identity. As a cloud-based "connected access network," the platform bridges the gap between IT identity providers (like Okta or Azure AD) and legacy physical access control systems. At the show's Security Experience Center demonstrations, SwiftConnect showcased its ability to integrate mobile credentials within Apple and Google Wallets across multiple technology platforms. By aligning physical security with Zero Trust principles, they ensure that access is governed by the same rigorous standards as digital networks. Their software-centric approach allows for a more seamless employee experience while simplifying the management of complex, multi-site building security. This emphasises a future where the mobile device becomes the primary tool for navigating the physical workspace. Wasabi Technologies: Redefining cloud storage economics With cloud technology becoming a baseline requirement at every booth, Wasabi Technologies highlighted its "hot cloud storage" as a cost-effective alternative to major hyperscalers. Their model claims to be 80% less expensive than competitors, notably removing hidden fees. Wasabi is increasingly bundled at the "back end" of security solutions through partnerships with integrators and end users. A key feature for law enforcement and high-security sectors is their "Object Lock" capability, which ensures that video evidence remains untampered with and immutable during defined retention periods. By providing high-performance storage without the unpredictable costs typically associated with the cloud, Wasabi is positioning itself as the foundational layer for data-heavy video surveillance applications that require long-term, secure retention. Wasabi is positioning itself as the foundational layer for data-heavy video surveillance applications ZKTeco USA: Versatile and integrated access ZKTeco USA showcased a range of integrated solutions, including turnstiles, visitor management, and access control. Their Atlas access control series offers versatility, supporting everything from traditional readers and keypads to QR codes and fingerprint scanning, with the flexibility to operate on-premise or in the cloud. For tight environments, they introduced the Mars 100 turnstile, which features a compact 2x3-foot footprint. They also highlighted the Omni series, an all-in-one standalone reader-controller that manages access, intercom, and visitor functions in a single device. Innovation in portability was evident in their new walk-through metal detectors, which consist of two poles with an 8-hour battery life—ideal for schools and temporary events. While they offer their own Armatura readers, ZKTeco emphasized that their solutions can integrate with other industry leaders to fit diverse customer needs.

PPLD serves El Paso County across multiple branches — from busy urban libraries to new rural buildings. Its security program, built on systems dating back to the late 1980s, had to keep pace with a fast-growing footprint. “I don’t know that we would have been able to get to the point where we had everything we wanted deployed if we didn’t have tech like this,” said Michael Brantner, Chief Facilities & Security Officer, Pikes Peak Library District. Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) is one of Colorado Springs’ most-used public institutions, serving the El Paso County community across multiple branches with 780 cameras and more than 150 doors under active monitoring. Their physical security program had been trying to keep pace. Legacy systems dating back to the late 1980s. Cameras and access control systems that didn’t talk to each other. A small team buried under too many alarms. The model was reactive, and it was overdue for a rethink. Legacy security technology The challenge - PPLD’s footprint was growing in a few ways, through new construction and the addition of more rural buildings under its umbrella – and Chief Facilities & Security Officer Michael Brantner needed more visibility across all of the buildings. Combining the systems in place to protect these locations, plus the new ones, required a new approach: bring decades of legacy security technology into a unified, modern operation that could scale alongside the district’s growth. PPLD wanted to centralize the management of the district’s security function, which led Michael to explore the creation of a new security operations center (SOC). “We had a lot of technology that didn’t talk to each other,” Michael said. “We wanted to be able to consolidate it into one place where we can manage what’s happening across our sites.” Consolidate disconnected systems When he started building PPLD’s SOC, the mandate was clear: bring decades of legacy security technology into a unified, modern operation that could scale alongside the district’s growth. But he also needed to consolidate disconnected systems, prove ROI to the C-suite, and staff and train a team that could actually move the program forward. At the time, PPLD’s setup was a patchwork: Cloud-based cameras and access control sitting next to legacy equipment, with no shared view across them Operators who were refreshing screens to see new alarms Panic alerts, door alarms, and intercom calls each requiring a different screen, a different workflow, and a different response Notifications were inconsistent Response times couldn’t be measured No centralized SOC to manage alarms cohesively Residents experiencing homelessness Most incoming alarms generated by PPLD’s ACS were false: held-open doors, cleaning crews, and after-hours trip alarms. But every single alarm still demanded a response from someone on the team, even if there was no safety issue. The complexity was real. PPLD’s branches serve a diverse community that includes families, students, and residents experiencing homelessness across locations with very different security profiles. Some deal with routine access events. Others face behavioral incidents, policy enforcement issues, and higher alarm volumes. Across all of them, public spaces had to stay public, and private staff areas had to stay private. Those boundaries need to be enforced, all day, every day. Access control systems The solution - As Michael stood up PPLD’s new SOC, HiveWatch stood out as a way to centralize the security program and allowed the growing team a single, active view of every incident across every system. The platform connected directly to PPLD’s existing cameras and access control systems. This meant operators were able to view door alarms, access events, video clips, panic alerts, and environmental sensors (including vape and smoke detection) in one single incident list in a web-based browser. Instead of refreshing screens and guessing at what they might have missed, operators could see every active incident and incoming alarm the moment it surfaced and respond from the same place. Killing redundant alerts Alarm deduplication cut volume on day one, killing redundant alerts before they hit an operator. Noisy doors became easy to spot and fix. When specific issues surfaced, like a flood of DHO alarms, for instance, the system helped the SOC adjust alarm timing. That adaptability, tuned to actual door and user behavior without loosening security, kept the program compliant and cut the alarm load the SOC had to manage. Operators, along with field officers, made use of the mobile app, too. The team’s ability to acknowledge, investigate, and resolve incidents from anywhere in the building was a huge benefit. Security triage stopped being tied to a desk. Response became coordinated, in real time, across every location. Standard operating procedure But the shift went beyond operations. For the first time, PPLD’s leadership had detailed data on its security program: response times, alarm volumes, and incident trends. Michael could walk into a leadership meeting with numbers that proved the program’s value. He could spot which operators were hitting targets, which branches were generating outliers, and where more operator or officer training was needed. “We aren’t just operators staring at cameras anymore. HiveWatch lets us cut through the noise, focus on what matters, and actually expand what our team can do,” said Joe Vickous, SOC Supervisor, Pikes Peak Library District. Single active queue Every shift, PPLD’s operators manage a single active queue. Door forced at a branch. Vape detection in a restroom. Held-open back door after a cleaning crew shift change. An intercom call from a side entrance. All surfaced in one view without screen-refreshing or system-hopping. When an access control alert comes in, the response is immediate. The operator sees the alert with the connected camera feed in the same view, follows the built-in standard operating procedure (SOP), and, if warranted, dispatches the field officer with full context from within the platform. Audible alerts mean the SOC can run HiveWatch in a single tab without sacrificing a full monitor, freeing operators to handle more important work like footage pulls, door testing, and badge creation between incidents. Badge creation between incidents “HiveWatch makes the operators more flexible and makes them more versatile, as well,” Michael said. “They’re able to focus on something else and it will prompt them and say, hey, pay attention. We have to interact. They can check it out, dispatch somebody, and then go back to what they’re doing.” And when something crosses the public-private line, such as a patron drifting into a staff-only corridor, the platform surfaces it in real time. The operator sees it, the field officer responds, and the boundary holds. Public stays public. Private stays private. No guessing. No discovery after the fact. Incidents are caught early, handled according to protocol, and documented with a full record attached. “The biggest benefit for us is having the tool that sorts through the noise and focuses the operators on the notifications that are actually coming in that need attention,” Branter said. Standard operating procedure The results: Median time to acknowledge incidents of 21 seconds and median time to resolve of 28 seconds using HiveWatch. Scaled the SOC from 2 operators to 6 plus a manager, with the platform absorbing the workload increase. Extended the SOC beyond the control room with mobile triage and response for field officers and operators. Equipped leadership with real-time data on acknowledgement and response times, and alarm trends, turning a reactive program into a proactive, measurable one. Positioned the program to absorb 800 additional cameras and access points without proportional headcount growth.

Verkada, a pioneer in physical security and operations, announces that the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium adopted its platform to enhance fan safety and security. Hard Rock Stadium's new Verkada deployment unifies video security, access control, guest management, intercoms and alarms into a single, cloud-based platform that enables its team to streamline security operations at the scale and speed that the 65,585-seat venue demands. "As a world-class venue hosting global events year-round, we prioritise solutions that align with the scale and pace of our operations," said Sameer Istafa, Chief Technology Officer for the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium. "Verkada's unified platform provides a seamless, connected operating environment that supports our focus on delivering a consistent, elevated experience for our fans at every event." Resource-intensive maintenance costs Verkada's unified platform gives Hard Rock Stadium's team: Faster response during high-pressure moments. Activity-based detection and intelligent alerts provide teams with greater visibility into activity across Hard Rock Stadium, enabling faster, more informed responses when needed. Proactive perimeter coverage. Advanced detection tools enable Hard Rock Stadium to take a proactive approach to monitoring the stadium's exterior and surrounding areas, flagging unusual activity before it escalates. Streamlined access across a large campus. Verkada's cloud-managed access credentials replace physical keys and disconnected badge systems. With all door events logged, Verkada's platform can flag anomalies. Flexibility across a wide range of events. In addition to the Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium hosts college football games, concerts, and other global events – and each event has a different footprint and different security needs. Verkada enables the Hard Rock Stadium team to tailor protocols event-by-event without new infrastructure. Lower infrastructure costs. Moving onto Verkada's cloud-based platform is expected to save Hard Rock Stadium on time- and resource-intensive maintenance costs, with new features delivered automatically through software updates. Insight into operational efficiency. Visual intelligence from Verkada's platform provides insight into occupancy trends that can enable operations teams to reduce bottlenecks and adjust staffing in real-time. World-class experience "Hard Rock Stadium can swing from hundreds of employees and vendors on a weekday to more than 65,000 fans in a matter of hours," said Filip Kaliszan, co-founder and CEO of Verkada. "Verkada is built to handle this kind of complexity, with one unified platform that keeps pace with an operation that never stays still. We're proud to provide solutions that help keep fans, athletes and entertainers who visit Hard Rock Stadium safe – and to give the team behind these legendary events the tools they need to keep delivering a world-class experience." Video security infrastructure Hard Rock Stadium worked with Castaway Technology and Security (CTS) to support its Verkada deployment and implementation across the campus. CTS used Verkada's Command Connector to bring Hard Rock Stadium's existing video security infrastructure into the new platform during the migration period, ensuring a smooth transition and letting security teams work from Verkada's platform from day one. "Hard Rock Stadium is a marquee venue that demands a security infrastructure to match. Our goal was to help them transition to a more agile and integrated ecosystem. With Verkada, we were able to deliver a truly end-to-end solution that eliminates technical friction, allowing the security team to focus entirely on maintaining a safe, premier experience for every fan," said Craig Bruce, co-founder at CTS.

Genetec Inc., the global pioneer in enterprise physical security software, announces that SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park have unified their physical security operations using Genetec™ Security Center. Home to the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, SoFi Stadium is the premier sports and entertainment destination located at Hollywood Park. The stadium has established itself as a world-class venue, hosting record-breaking concerts and global sporting events while consistently ranking among the top venues in the world. Global sporting events To support events of this scale, the organization standardized on Security Center to unify video surveillance, access control, automatic license plate recognition (ALPR), and other physical security systems in the 3.1 million-square-foot venue and across the 300-acre Hollywood Park development. Operators manage more than 3,000 cameras, 700 readers, and numerous other systems and sensors from three security control rooms, helping teams maintain situational awareness while streamlining day-to-day operations. "Genetec Security Center has improved our response time efficiency by giving us all the information we need in one platform. We’re able to understand what's happening and make decisions quickly," said Nick Bermensolo, Vice President of Security and Safety at SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park. Physical security systems Since deploying Security Center, the SoFi Stadium IT team has a reliable, scalable, and cybersecure platform that runs on an isolated network and connects back to centralized servers. During big events, they support security operations by monitoring system performance from the Network Operations Center, ensuring everything is working as it should. The security team can easily handle daily tasks, while IT keeps systems running smoothly on the backend. "The Genetec team doesn’t just understand physical security systems, but IT systems too. With their help, we’ve been able to deploy a reliable and high-performing security platform at scale," said Paul Maldonado, Vice President of IT Infrastructure and Operations at SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park. AI-based tools Looking ahead, both teams are focused on getting more value out of Security Center, exploring AI-based tools and more automation. They know they have a flexible, scalable platform that can support evolving cybersecurity and network requirements. "Genetec has really helped us establish a technology standard. Security Center is reliable and cybersecure, integrates well with our network, and reduces overhead for both IT and security. That’s the type of technology we want to continue implementing across our business," said Maldonado.

Athena Security, a physical security and threat detection company specializing in AI-powered weapons detection systems, announced today they are working with MLK Community Healthcare, a non-profit healthcare system in South L.A., to improve security measures at their hospital. MLK Community Healthcare is utilising Athena’s Apollo 500 Weapons Detection System, an Al-driven walk-through concealed weapon detection system designed for busy entrances, such as those at hospitals and healthcare facilities. “Everyone deserves to feel safe going to work every day. Likewise, patients and their loved ones should feel at ease when seeking care at their local healthcare facility," said Lisa Falzone, Athena Security co-founder and president. Threat detection company Lisa Falzone, Athena Security’s co-founder and president, said the device offers peace of mind to healthcare providers and patients alike at a time when violence in hospitals and other healthcare facilities is rising across the country. “Everyone deserves to feel safe going to work every day. Likewise, patients and their loved ones should feel at ease when seeking care at their local healthcare facility,” Falzone said. “By leveraging our expertise in the security space and utilising emerging technology like AI, we’ve created a weapons detection system platform that is potentially saving lives while creating less disruption in the day-to-day activities at healthcare facilities.” Automated weapon detection systems The move comes ahead of a new AB 2975 California law requiring hospitals and certain other healthcare facilities to have automated weapon detection systems at key entrances. “When it came time to comply with California’s AB 2975 workplace violence prevention requirements and implement a weapons detection solution, we conducted an extensive evaluation of the available systems. Athena’s Apollo 500 Healthcare Weapons Detection System stood out as the best overall value, combining effective weapons detection with the operational capabilities and healthcare-focused workflows our hospital needed,” said Trenton Jackson, Director of Public Safety and Support Services at MLK Community Healthcare. Weapons detection platform “Throughout the installation and testing process, Athena has been a responsive collaborator. They’ve worked with us every step of the way to ensure that the weapons detection platform technology works as it should and integrates smoothly into our hospital operations.” Athena Security’s Apollo 500 Weapons Detection System has already been shown to improve security measures at healthcare facilities. A recent case study at an Illinois-based healthcare system found that Athena’s product successfully detected more than 200 weapons at their hospitals in 2025 alone.

Genetec Inc., the global pioneer in enterprise physical security software, announces that Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport (RKS) has modernised its physical security operations using Genetec™ Security Center. The airport selected Genetec as part of its terminal modernization project to support future expansion, evolving Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requirements, and potential new carriers and flight routes. Located outside Rock Springs in Sweetwater County, Wyoming, the regional airport supports more than 11,000 annual flight operations and serves more than 50,000 passengers annually. The airport recently completed a $43 million commercial terminal modernisation project. As part of the upgrade, airport leaders wanted to replace aging video surveillance and access control systems with an open and flexible platform that would allow them to expand security infrastructure without being locked into proprietary systems. Terminal modernization project Working with systems integrator Incline Technology, the airport deployed Genetec Security Center to unify video surveillance, access control, and alarms in a single interface. According to Nic Hasler, Founder and President of Incline Technology, “Our vision from the start was to deliver a system for RKS that’s easy to operate and support, and ready for future expansion.” With Security Center, the RKS team now has full visibility across the airport terminal, weather station, fuel station, and Sweetwater Aviation facility. This allows them to improve visibility across the airport, respond faster to incidents, and streamline day-to-day security management from one platform. Security and airport operations “Genetec Security Center brings everything into one place, which helps us manage security and airport operations much more efficiently than before. We’re only scratching the surface of what the system can do. This is the foundation we needed to keep adding capabilities and enhancing our operations,” said Devon Brubaker, Airport Director at Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport. Airport staff is also using the Quick Search feature in Security Center to accelerate investigations and reduce the time spent reviewing footage after incidents. After a reported theft in the airport micro market, the team used Quick Search to review footage, identify when the inventory changed, and confirm within minutes that the item had been purchased but mislabelled. “We might be a small airport, but investing in Genetec Security Center allows us to operate like a much larger one. The platform helps us work more efficiently today and sets us up to say yes to new opportunities in the future,” said Brubaker.

Genetec Inc., the pioneer in enterprise physical security software, announces 40 Leadenhall has deployed Genetec™ Security Center and Genetec Mission Control™ to create a seamless modern experience for visitors and tenants. Located in the capital’s insurance district, 40 Leadenhall is one of the biggest City of London developments ever to receive planning permission. It spans over 900,000 square feet of commercial office, amenities, and retail space, serving up to 10,000 occupants. Original performance specification A unified security platform formed part of the original performance specification, with Genetec Security Center ultimately selected to give 40 Leadenhall the flexibility to integrate best of breed hardware and software, support informed decision making, and tailor the interface to a wide range of user needs and access privileges. “Genetec is proud to be safeguarding a growing portfolio of flagship buildings across the City of London - including some of its newest and largest developments,” said Viet Tang, Account Executive at Genetec Inc. “40 Leadenhall is a standout example of how forward thinking property owners are embracing unified, intelligent security to deliver safer, more efficient and more intuitive environments.” Standardising incident response The smart building solution incorporates over 200 cameras, more than 250 doors, and 2,600 data points, all managed through Genetec Security Center and hosted on Genetec Streamvault™ servers and archives. Genetec Mission Control™ further enhances operations by standardising incident response with advanced automation. By integrating with other building systems, it can automatically trigger workflows for events such as power loss, water leaks, or high winds thus enabling teams to respond proactively with timely notifications and targeted actions that help ensure occupant safety. Access control and visitor experience technologies from partners including HID Global, Mercury Communications, and STid help enable seamless navigation throughout the facility. Occupiers can use mobile wallet credentials for frictionless entry, while visitors receive QR code passes that remove the need for temporary plastic cards. Integrated cameras from Axis Communications enhance situational awareness across the site. Truly smart building Genetec workstations located throughout the building provide role based access for operators. Reception staff can enrol visitors, while control-room security teams can run reports, investigate events, and monitor live video on either dedicated workstations or tablets. “The Genetec security system is easy to use and enables us to deliver a world class service to our occupiers and guests, ensuring occupant wellbeing and building security,” says Stewart Maynard, Smart Systems Manager at 40 Leadenhall. “Collaboration between delivery, systems and service partner teams has helped make 40 Leadenhall a truly smart building.” Quickly identify devices By uploading interactive floor plans into Security Center, operators can quickly identify devices, investigate activity, or access live video with a single click, significantly reducing training times. The building’s digital experience is further enhanced through integration with the 40 Leadenhall app, powered by VTS Activate. Occupiers can issue virtual visitor passes, receive arrival notifications, and seamlessly access amenities including wellness spaces, cycle facilities and the Peloton studio. “We believe Genetec provides the ideal platform to support 40 Leadenhall’s future growth and technology goals,” concludes Maynard. “The investment in leading technology, supported by strong partnerships, positions 40 Leadenhall at the forefront of innovation.”

Casinos are tasked with monitoring vast gaming floors, cashier cages, and access points. The market for casino security and surveillance demands software and hardware that provide high-definition, multi-angle visual coverage to ensure the integrity of the games and to protect players, staff, and the public. Like other vertical markets for physical security technology, the casino market is undergoing change and facing challenges. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How are new technologies impacting the casino surveillance and security market?

Like other disciplines in the world of corporate security, executive protection is evolving from reactive to proactive. Unlike reactive bodyguards, modern executive protection professionals use a proactive approach focused on risk mitigation, advance planning, and threat intelligence to prevent incidents before they happen. What is the role of technology? We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How can physical security technology promote better executive protection?

If AI is the dominant buzzword in the physical security industry, it is the second letter (I for intelligence) that is having the biggest impact. Simply put, intelligence transforms computer systems, including those used for physical security, from rigid, rule-following calculators into adaptable, problem-solving partners to human operators. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the changing role of intelligence in physical security?