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The Security Event 2023: The Key Top Takeaways  

The Security Event 2023 has been an eye-opening adventure, as an amazingly large number of security professionals gathered to discuss and display the latest solutions keeping organizations safe — in every sense of the word. We noticed three main trends playing on repeat at nearly every booth — as well as in our conversations:

Mobile Access: Not If or When, but How

Mobile access has a cool factor that’s hard to deny. Its modern, fresh, innovative feel appeals to organizations that like to be on the leading edge — and to the building owners seeking top-tier tenants.

In years past, discussions were mainly around why mobile access should be implemented. This year at TSE, everyone sees mobile as the future, with more focus around how to make the shift. Luckily, mobile access providers are making migration smoother than ever, and adoption rates are high now that users understand the process.

It was great to speak about real-life mobile use cases at TSE; we especially enjoyed seeing Dan Drogman from Smart Spaces®  and speaking to customers about how he has incorporated HID Mobile Access solutions like employee badge in Apple Wallet into buildings like 22 Bishopsgate in London.

Of course, we’re still seeing the need for physical cards as well. In most cases, mobile is integrated into a card-based system so users can use their credential of choice.

Sustainability by Design

More businesses are considering how their practices are benefitting or harming the environment — even being incentivized to go green and penalized for old practices.

As expected, mobile access led the sustainability charge at TSE since it doesn’t rely on physical cards or single-use plastic and reduces shipping needs and consumables. 

Mobile isn’t the only option, however. Card materials have come a long way — like the planned release of the HID Eco Card, an incredibly green physical credential made from fast-growing bamboo certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

Even the booths felt less electrified than in years past, with vendors opting for clean, subtle, almost understated displays and messaging.

Predicting the Future of Physical Access Control

At one of the first “normal” events since the pandemic, we enjoyed live conversations with customers and colleagues — many about their changing workplaces. At this point, most businesses are at least somewhat back to the office, but that office looks a lot different than it used to.

We heard plenty of questions around preparing for the future, and how to make investments that will stand the test of time. How does one create a security infrastructure when future office space needs can’t be predicted or when real estate decisions are still being made?

The answers usually revolve around customization and flexibility. Solutions need to adapt to many future workplace scenarios (hybrid? All remote? 100% onsite?) while fitting the organization’s unique needs now. This flexibility hinges on the reader. Modern readers, such as HID’s Signo range, need to also work with legacy credentials, so an organization can update and upgrade as needed. A company may choose to use largely physical credentials now, knowing that they can shift to mobile in the future. They may even choose to use plastic (or bamboo!) ID cards to access internal or digital spaces and mobile for exterior doors — or vice versa — all without swapping out the reader.

Were you at TSE? We’d love to learn your top takeaways. Drop us a line and let us know what you loved best.

Matt heads up the End User team for Physical Access Control Solutions in Europe. He is an expert in both physical control and mobile access with over two decades’ worth of experience in the security industry. In his role, Matt works with customers across all verticals to advise and help them to understand and implement HID Mobile Access solutions.

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