Emphasising proactive rather than reactive security shifts the focus from dealing with crises and damage control to prevention. Advantages of a proactive approach include cost efficiency, better business continuity, and fewer crises that draw attention away from strategic improvements. Staying ahead of threats is a core mission of the security department, and technology has evolved to enable security professionals to deliver on that mission better than ever. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How are security systems transitioning from reactive to proactive, and what is the benefit?

Multiple technology trends are transforming the physical access control market. There is a fundamental shift away from physical cards and keys toward digital identities — mobile credentials, digital wallets, biometrics, and cloud-native access platforms. These next generation access solutions are radically reshaping how buildings operate, protect staff, and perform functionally. At the same time, AI and analytics solutions are being layered onto these physical access control systems to support predictive threat detection and behavioural insights. Access data itself is becoming an asset for sustainability, space optimisation, and smart building initiatives. Risk, impact operations and experience The annual HID Global Security and Identity Trends Report highlights these and other issues The annual HID Global Security and Identity Trends Report highlights these and other issues. The survey cites improving user convenience as a priority for nearly half of organisations, while 41% are focused on simplifying administration, and 28% struggle with system integration. These are not theoretical challenges, they are day‑to‑day friction points that add cost, increase risk, impact operations and experience, and, of course, must be addressed. HID Global’s commercial focus HID Global’s commercial focus is to help organisations digitise their access control — with mobile identities, biometrics, and cloud platforms — and then to use the data to deliver more value. “We are turning access control from an operational cost into a software-driven asset that improves efficiency, supports Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals and even creates new revenue opportunities,” says Steven Commander, HID Global’s Head of Consultant Relations. The impact of digital transformation Digital transformation is the method of moving access control from hardware and physical credentials Digital transformation is in the process of moving access control from hardware and physical credentials to a software-driven, integrated experience. The transformation strengthens security while also improving user convenience — transforming the “pavement to the desk” journey. HID enables this shift through mobile credentials, biometrics, cloud-native platforms, and solutions that allow third-party applications to run on door hardware. “This helps customers turn access data into operational and commercial outcomes, while also improving the overall user experience,” says Commander.  Digital transformation in access control is not focused on chasing the latest trends. Rather, transformation is about turning software, data and integration into outcomes that matter to customers, says HID. “Security becomes stronger and more adaptive,” says Commander. “Operations become simpler and more cost‑effective. Experiences become seamless and consistent. Sustainability moves from ambition to action. And the financial case becomes clearer as efficiencies are banked and new value streams emerge.” The challenge of futureproofing with long lifecycles Given that physical security technologies will be in place for 15 to 20 years, it is important to plan for how systems can evolve over time. Considering how rapidly security threats, compliance standards, and user expectations change, 15 to 20 years is a long time. The decisions made at the beginning of a system’s lifecycle can either limit flexibility later (which will be costly) or enable long-term adaptability. Support for open standards such as Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) is therefore important Choosing products and platforms that are open, interoperable, and designed for updates can enable future-proof projects. Support for open standards such as Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) is therefore important.  In addition, systems built on open controller platforms — such as Mercury — enable organisations to switch software providers or expand functionality without replacing core door hardware. Architectural openness is key to system lifecycles and maximising the return on investment (ROI) from a chosen solution. Digital credentials and mobile access Flexibility and upgradeability should also be top of mind when it comes to endpoints like access control readers. While RFID cards are still commonplace, there is a clear trend toward digital credentials and mobile access. Readers that support both allow organisations to transition at their own pace, without committing to a full system overhaul. A long system lifecycle does not mean technology should remain static. Security, particularly cybersecurity, demands more frequent updates. Technologies that support firmware upgrades in the field extend the value of a deployment while helping organisations keep pace with emerging threats. In that sense, lifecycle thinking is not just about longevity — it’s about maintaining resilience and readiness over time. Applying biometrics and mobile identities Biometrics is becoming mainstream as a credential alternative, strengthening security without adding friction Biometrics is becoming mainstream as a credential alternative, strengthening security without adding friction. Many organisations are now deploying biometrics to support fast, seamless access journeys, with adoption already around 39% in access control according to HID’s recent research.  In addition, 80% of organisations surveyed expect to deploy mobile identities within the next five years. Full technology integration enables tap‑to‑access without opening an app; the user journey becomes faster, safer, and more convenient. “It is where the industry is headed and we are at the vanguard of this,” says Commander.    Ongoing challenge of cybersecurity At HID Global, cybersecurity is embedded into everything, from corporate processes and development practices to the solutions they bring to market. “Our approach ensures that customers can strengthen their overall security posture, not only by deploying secure products but by benefitting from HID’s commitment to the highest industry standards,” says Commander. HID holds multiple globally recognised certifications, including ISO 27001, ISO 14298, SOC Type 2 and CSA STAR, which demonstrate their robust information security and cloud security practices. In addition, HID’s SEOS® secure chipset is independently SEAL-certified, providing one of the most advanced levels of protection available on the market today. “Ultimately, this means organisations are not just purchasing isolated secure products; they are implementing solutions developed and delivered within a comprehensive, cybersecure framework,” says Commander. “When deployed according to best practices, HID solutions enable customers to achieve the highest levels of resilience against evolving physical and cyber threats.” Developing green and sustainable solutions A huge amount of waste is generated from the manufacture of plastic RFID access cards Digital credentials align with the sustainable solutions that everyone wants. A huge amount of waste is generated from the manufacture of plastic RFID access cards. Over 550 million access cards are sold annually. This creates 2,700 tons of plastic waste and 11,400 tons of carbon, based on a PVC card weighing 5 grams.  Therefore, digital credentials self-evidently reduce the reliance on plastic cards (helping reduce carbon emissions by up to 75% according to HID’s research), while leveraging access control system data supports energy optimisation by shutting down or reducing systems in unused spaces. Energy use and CO₂ emissions can be cut dramatically, showing how access systems can contribute to sustainability goals and green building certification. What is the latest in smart buildings? Smart buildings increasingly rely on mobile access control as the backbone for digital services. Real-time access data enables new services such as automated room bookings, HVAC control, lift/elevator calling, e-bike hiring, and so on. Smart buildings increasingly rely on mobile access control as the backbone for digital services The financial upside is clear; smart, digitally transformed buildings can deliver around 8% higher yields per square foot versus traditional office space. Operational savings accrue from reduced administration, the removal of card production and shipping, and lighter IT support. This creates a value cycle — better experiences drive adoption, adoption fuels monetisation, and monetisation funds further improvements. Achieving technology impact in the real world One standout project is One Bangkok – a $3.9 billion mixed used development in Thailand – which demonstrates the scale of what can be achieved when access control data is used for optimisation, particularly when it comes to monitoring facilities usage and occupier behaviours. By switching lights off or lowering the temperature in unused rooms, for example, the One Bangkok building demonstrates this potential with a 22% reduction in energy consumption, saving 17,000 MWh and 9,000 tons of CO₂ annually.  Sustainability is a key factor in contributing to how properties are valued. And sustainability extends far beyond digital credentials having a lower environmental impact than plastic cards.  Buildings with recognised sustainability certifications often command rental premiums of around 6%, and three‑quarters of security decision‑makers now consider environmental impact in their procurement assessments.

ISC West 2025 in Las Vegas showcased the latest advancements in security technology, offering security professionals a glimpse into the future of the industry. This year's expo highlighted the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and enhanced integration. The pioneering comprehensive and converged security event attracted nearly 29,000 industry professionals to the Venetian Convention Centre.  Integration into unified platforms Several companies emphasised the importance of cloud-based solutions and the integration of diverse security components into unified platforms. For example, Brivo's Security Suite provides “everything in one platform” – not just access control. Customers only pay for what they use because the system is flexible and scalable from a single door to enterprise level applications. Brivo’s suite includes video, but the system can also tie in with third-party “partners.” Genetec's Security Centre allows for more frequent updates through the cloud. Milestone is undergoing a two-year transition to bring its Xprotect system into the future by incorporating Arcules and Briefcam into a video-as-a service product. Suprema introduced BioStar X, which integrates access control and video analytics into a single platform. AI and mobile credentials  Axis Communications’ Cloud Connect product announced three new partnerships at ISC West 2025 Axis Communications’ Cloud Connect product announced three new partnerships at ISC West – Eagle Eye Networks, SecuriThings, and Wesco. They join the three partners announced during the first year of Axis Cloud Connect – Genetec, Kone (elevators) and Milestone. AI and mobile credentials were still hot topics at ISC West 2025, but the conversation has evolved beyond amazement at the technologies’ capabilities and now centres on more practical aspects. From the theoretical to the practical “AI and mobility are still the ‘flavors de jour,’ but messages are evolving to manifest AI for better outcomes,” says Heather Torrey, General Manager, Commercial Security, Americas, for Honeywell Building Automation. The company has reframed its security portfolio to be very building- and business-focused, continuing to grow and evolve after the recent acquisition of LenelS2. “From the theoretical to the practical, we want customers to be part of the conversation so we can deliver AI that is meaningful to them, focusing on what’s most important,” says Torrey. Under Honeywell’s new ownership structure, “each part of the business can be more focused on customers’ needs,” she says. Honeywell continues its journey around mobile access and credentialing and migrating to cloud solutions. Innovations in Access Control Gallagher’s new Quickswitch access control board simplifies the migration from legacy systems Access control remains a critical component of security systems, and ISC West 2025 showcased several innovations in this area. Acre is releasing “Gallery,” its version of the App Store for access control. DormaKaba is launching the Keyscan KC Series door controller with TCP/IP connectivity and enhanced features. Gallagher’s new Quickswitch access control board simplifies the migration from legacy systems. Johnson Controls highlighted its C-Cure command centre and C-Cure IQ web client, offering a unified approach to access control and video. Hardware integrations for security panels For service provider Alarm.com, hardware products prepare a path to greater customer experiences, says Abe Kinney, Alarm.com’s Director, Product Management, who oversees hardware integrations for security panels, sensors, video, etc., and drives new product development. “We are looking to bridge the physical world to digital world,” he says. “We want to bring an advantage to our dealers that they can bring to customers.” Because Alarm.com’s customers pay a monthly fee, the products must be durable and economical, says Kinney. “It should work with no need for truck rolls.” The importance of longevity and flexibility Products are evaluated based on features, price, and ease of installation Products are evaluated based on features, price, and ease of installation. In particular, longevity is important for the Alarm.com’s pro channel. There is also a growing emphasis on deterrence industrywide. Says Kinney: “We recognise that detection is part of it, but we need to prevent problems from happening in the first place. And the industry is re-evaluating.” When it comes to cloud intelligence, Eagle Eye Networks puts the emphasis on flexibility. They offer AI that can perform anywhere on the system infrastructure, on the camera, on their on-site bridge device, or in the cloud. They support their own AI and also any AI product from a third party. “We focus on what customers want from the data AI detects,” says Hans Kahler, Eagle Eye Networks’ Chief Operating Officer. Integration with other systems A timely alert from gun detection could save a life, but AI can also generate information that might be used and analysed later, such as point-of-sale information, dwell time, foot traffic, etc. “What people want is the ability to work with the data for business intelligence,” says Kahler. Integration with other systems provides new opportunities for customers: For example, a licence plate reader at a restaurant drive-thru could trigger customisation of the menu board digital signage based on the customer’s previous buying pattern. Relentless Innovation Assa Abloy handles more than 40 million SKUs for all its various brands, faked in 28 factories in the US Assa Abloy handles more than 40 million stock keeping units (SKUs) for all its various brands manufactured in 28 factories in the United States. Merely complying with regulations such as the “Buy American Act” is a monumental effort considering the massive product line, attendees heard at Assa Abloy’s Annual ISC West Breakfast focusing on compliance challenges in the security market. Meanwhile, back at the trade show booth, Assa Abloy focused on “relentless innovation” in every corner of its product line. Assa Abloy’s message: Innovation in security does not have to be about AI or automation. In fact, inventive approaches to products come in all shapes and sizes and at every level of the product portfolio, and innovation is happening faster than ever. For example, the Safebolt product from Securitech, a brand recently acquired by Assa Abloy, can quickly lock down existing doors with the press of a red button on a cylindrical or mortise lock. Temporary Systems to Secure Events Securing events is the focus of Allied Universal's Unified Command Solutions, which specialises in setting up temporary security systems for conventions, trade shows, festivals, construction sites, parades, and other events. They can add technology to situations where previously mostly security officers were used, providing safety/security and enabling more efficient event operation.  “We can put cameras anywhere, whether they need power or not, use cell service or WiFi, a localised network or the internet, or whatever,” says Andrew LaMadrid, VP, Sales for Allied Universal's Unified Command Solutions. Event operation and management IDIS came to ISC West looking to leverage new products that they did not promote in the past The focus is on easy implementation, flexibility, and fast setup and removal. “We look for a solution to solve each customer’s pain points,” says LaMadrid. They specialise in setting up and deploying surveillance cameras for safety/security and for event operation and management. Mobile surveillance is a relatively new “piece of our puzzle” when it comes to protecting high-profile events. “People are excited about what we can offer that’s new,” says LaMadrid. Unified Command Solutions has been around for about 12 years and was acquired by Allied Universal last summer. IDIS came to ISC West looking to leverage new products that they did not promote in the past, and visitors were very interested in those solutions, says Scott Switzer, IDIS CEO. “The progression of our product line has been tremendous,” he says. Last year, the IDIS booth offered only basic analytics, but this year they had 30 different advanced analytics including gun and aggression detection using the advanced solution “IDIS Vaidio AI.”  What Makes You Different? The most common question IDIS hears at their trade show booth is: “What makes you different?” The answer: They offer an end-to-end solution, including cameras; they manage, control, design from end-to-end; and there is no need for multiple integrations. The time needed to install an IDIS system is significantly less because of the simplicity. “We have customers we have supported and grown together for over 20 years,” says Switzer. The company previously deployed IDIS cameras under the Costar brand before the Korean IDIS brand was introduced into the U.S. (IDIS purchased Costar and changed the name to IDIS America.) “This has been a tremendous show for us; we are looking to build our momentum and let more people know about IDIS,” says Switzer. Managing real AI at the edge The depth of their metadata enables new applications, whether for security or business operations Based in Prague, Czech Republic, and with U.S. offices in Pennsylvania, FF Group provides licence plate recognition for harsh environments. Using Axis cameras, they offer “managed real AI at the edge,” selling through a nationwide distributed network, says Alex Osypov, CEO and Founder of FF Group. Markets include parking lots, cities/municipalities, police, government, water systems, etc. The depth of their metadata enables new applications, whether for security or business operations. They are looking to combine and correlate data including LIDAR, RADAR, etc. to exploit the advantages of “data fusion.” Osypov says: “The market is growing because we are involving other adjacent markets.” Unified platforms and advanced tools Several companies are focusing on enhancing security operations centres (SOCs) by providing unified platforms and advanced tools. Axon’s Fusus system “layers” onto existing infrastructure, tying together various sensors into a single interface for real-time monitoring and information sharing. Increasingly, enterprises have invested in a lot of technologies – ac, video, asset trackers – but none of it talks together. Fusus ties all the systems together so that operators no longer have to look at 10 different screens. Rather, there is a “single pane of glass” that shows everything and facilitates sharing of information with law enforcement.  Motorola also showcased its Security Operations Centre, which integrates hardware, software, smart sensors, communication radios, and broadband devices to streamline incident management.

Physical security technologies are a prominent tool used by correctional facilities to provide a safe, secure, and controlled environment for staff, inmates, and the wider community. Among several functions, security technologies are used to prevent unauthorised access, to detect contraband, to monitor inmate movements and activities, and to protect staff. For security technology manufacturers, integrators and consultants, the corrections market presents distinctive challenges. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the unique aspects of the corrections market, and how should the physical security industry adapt?

DoorBird, a foremost innovator in IP video door communication, is proud to announce the seamless integration of its D11x series intercoms, with support for the D18x series coming soon, with Crestron Home, the premier smart home platform. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in smart home interoperability, offering homeowners and integrators a powerful, unified solution for secure and intelligent entry management. Developed in partnership with Crestron, this new functionality enables native compatibility with DoorBird D11x and D18x series products to Crestron Home touch screens using Crestron’s RAVA protocol. The integration is hardware-free and allows users to control DoorBird IP video door stations directly from the Crestron Home interface. Key features of the integration Group calling using RAVA from DoorBird to Crestron touch panels. Relay Control: Manage native and external relay functions for gates and doors. Event Triggers: Receive real-time notifications for doorbell rings, RFID scans (D18 only), motion detection, and fingerprint authentication. Express Configuration: Enable the “Crestron” switch in the DoorBird Connect section during set up and put your DoorBird in “Crestron mode” Integration with DoorBird This integration empowers homeowners with enhanced security, convenience, and control, while offering integrators a streamlined setup process. “This integration with DoorBird exemplifies our commitment to delivering seamless smart home experiences. By combining Crestron Home’s intuitive control with DoorBird’s advanced IP video door stations, we’re empowering homeowners with smarter, more secure, and more connected living environments.” Georgio Galaris – Manager of Residential Marketing.

A regional security manager at a national bank gets a notification about suspicious activity at an ATM in another city. He opens his smartphone to check the feed — but the camera is connected to a different NVR than the one he’s currently logged into. By the time he switches systems, the live view is gone. Situations like this play out daily — across banking networks, retail chains, factories, and logistics hubs, wherever multi-site surveillance depends on fragmented systems. Each location has its own NVR, its own login, its own feed. And for professionals responsible for real-time security, that means wasted time and lost visibility right when it matters most. That’s where a powerful multi-site video surveillance solution built for remote monitoring makes all the difference. The best systems make smartphone monitoring effortless, bringing every site, every feed, and every alert into one secure, unified dashboard. Matrix NVR smartphone App If you’ve ever found yourself switching between NVRs, juggling logins, or waiting for feeds to load on your phone, you’re not imagining the friction. Your surveillance solution should eliminate that burden — not add to it. Here’s how you can get the most out of your Matrix NVR Smartphone App, especially when managing multiple locations and cascaded NVRs for remote video monitoring. 1. Monitor every camera, react faster — all from one app Benefit: Unified visibility that drives real-time decisions for remote monitoring. Most smartphone surveillance apps limit you to one NVR at a time — meaning you can only view cameras connected to that unit. With Cascaded NVR Viewing on the Matrix NVR Mobile App, you can see every camera across all connected NVRs — in one seamless interface. This single, unified view means you don’t waste time switching screens or logins — you can move instantly from awareness to action. When an event occurs, you’re already seeing it happen and can respond faster than ever. Why it matters: In surveillance, seconds count. The ability to see everything and act immediately from your smartphone keeps you in command, no matter where you are. Pro Tip: Create “priority groups” of high-importance cameras so you can focus on what matters most the moment you open the app. 2. Real-time awareness and instant response Benefit: Mobility without compromise. Whether you’re on-site, traveling, or away from your desk, the Matrix NVR mobile app ensures remote monitoring across all locations. However, awareness is only part of the story — you can now make direct calls from the app while viewing the relevant camera feed. No app switching, no wasted seconds — just immediate communication with on-ground teams when something demands attention. Why it matters: Security events don’t wait, and now, neither do you. Real-time monitoring, combined with instant communication, ensures faster, coordinated action when it counts the most. Pro Tip: Assign quick-dial contacts to high-priority cameras for one-tap calling during alerts. 3. Scale without increasing complexity Benefit: Growth made simple. As your organisation expands — adding new branches, NVRs, or cameras — Cascaded NVR Viewing automatically integrates each newly added NVR into your mobile view. You get seamless scalability for remote monitoring without additional configuration, training, or overhead. Why it matters: Growth shouldn’t mean more systems to manage. Unified scalability keeps your operations efficient as you expand. Pro Tip: Use consistent camera naming (e.g., Site-A-Entry, Site-B-Warehouse) to identify feeds instantly while monitoring remotely. 4. Securely share access when it’s needed Benefit: Controlled, temporary visibility. Need to share access with a contractor, auditor, or vendor? With Temporary User Access, you can now grant limited-time visibility to specific cameras — securely and effortlessly. Just select cameras, define the duration, and share a QR code. The recipient scans, logs in, and views what’s needed — for only as long as you allow. Why it matters: Temporary access while remote monitoring ensures collaboration without compromising security. Your system stays protected, and access remains fully under your control. Pro Tip: Use this feature for maintenance checks, audits, or temporary on-site work — access expires automatically when done. Smartphone-powered remote monitoring True mobile surveillance isn’t about adding more cameras — it’s about seeing everything that matters, effortlessly. With the Matrix NVR Mobile App and its Cascaded NVR Viewing capability, you unlock: Every camera, every site — one app Instant mobile access and real-time response Effortless scalability across locations Secure, temporary access control Faster action through unified monitoring

SwiftConnect, provider of the connected access network for places and spaces, announced its acquisition of Trecerdo, a boutique engineering firm known for its embedded software development and hardware-level access control integrations.  Trecerdo's deep expertise in bridging access control platforms with downstream hardware and elevator destination-dispatch systems strengthens SwiftConnect's end-to-end integration capabilities and expands the company's ability to serve complex, multi-layered security environments. Trecerdo also brings its off-the-shelf Ascend elevator solution that connects access control systems with elevator destination-dispatch stacks in any high-rise environment.  Authority comments “Customers often seek seamless access integration solutions to address specific needs of their buildings, systems, and risk profiles. Our latest acquisition extends SwiftConnect’s ability to solve the toughest physical access challenges across hardware, software, platforms, and devices,” said Chip Kruger, Co-CEO, SwiftConnect. “It also deepens our embedded software knowledge and destination-dispatch integration capabilities, accelerating SwiftConnect’s ability to address the heightened market demand for increased elevator security.”  Trecerdo's sofware development Trecerdo brings decades of experience in the critical hardware-facing layer that integrates downstream devices, controllers, and destination-dispatch systems. Its embedded software development offering will become part of SwiftConnect’s custom solutions portfolio that also includes software-level access control integration capabilities from earlier Detrios and FlitchTech acquisitions.  This combined skillset creates a complete custom integration offering by SwiftConnect that is unmatched in the market. Additionally, the Trecerdo Ascend interface, which is already proven in landmark buildings and major enterprises, will be a product offering in the SwiftConnect connected access platform.  Evolution in providing solution "As forerunners in developing Honeywell’s ProWatch solution as well as early developers of the Mercury Security controller line, Trecerdo’s talented team has built a strong reputation around solving complex hardware integration challenges for enterprises and other organizations for over 20 years,” said Jonathan Lawry, Principal of Trecerdo. "Our focus has always been on making disparate hardware systems communicate reliably, which makes joining SwiftConnect the natural next step in our evolution. We look forward to applying our technical depth to their modern connected access platform." Jonathan Lawry and his team of veteran developers will join the SwiftConnect custom solutions group, effective immediately.

As the New Year begins, commercial security is entering a transformative period; technological innovation, changes in regulations, and evolving threat landscapes are reshaping how providers protect people, assets, and data.  At Triton Security, they have been closely observing these trends and have identified 6 key predictions for the year ahead, providing insight for facility managers, security professionals, and business leaders alike. Physical meets cyber The traditional separation between physical and cyber security is increasingly blurring. As commercial buildings adopt smart technologies - IoT-enabled access systems, connected surveillance cameras, and building management platforms - the security perimeter is no longer just walls and doors. In 2026, organisations will need integrated strategies that address both physical and digital vulnerabilities, ensuring that access controls, data integrity, and system resilience are managed holistically. AI-powered as the standard Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to move from experimental to essential. Advanced analytics and machine learning are becoming increasingly capable of spotting unusual patterns - whether in CCTV footage, access logs, or alarm systems - allowing organisations to respond proactively rather than reactively. By 2026, AI-powered threat detection will become a baseline expectation for commercial facilities looking for both efficiency and heightened protection. Emphasis on compliance and reporting Regulation is tightening across both physical security and data protection. Fire safety, health and safety, GDPR, and building management standards are merging with commercial security requirements, meaning businesses will face greater accountability in audits and inspections. By 2026, more companies will invest in automated compliance reporting and integrated monitoring to stay ahead of evolving regulatory landscapes. Cyber-physical risk awareness Recent trends show that breaches are often the result of interconnected vulnerabilities - physical access weaknesses enabling cyber intrusion, or vice versa. In 2026, they expect businesses to adopt risk frameworks that evaluate both cyber and physical threats together, prioritising investments where vulnerabilities merge, and developing holistic mitigation strategies. Sustainability and ethics Sustainability and ethical considerations are becoming ever more important to corporate strategy, and security is no exception. From energy-efficient surveillance systems to transparent use of AI and biometrics, businesses will increasingly be judged on how responsibly they manage both people and data. Security leaders will need to demonstrate that protection measures are not only effective but ethical and sustainable. Human-centric remains irreplaceable Despite technological advances, human expertise will continue to play a central role. Security personnel are critical for interpreting AI insights, managing crises, and maintaining trust in the workplace. Organisations that balance cutting-edge technology with skilled human oversight will be best positioned to address the complex threats of 2026. In 2026, the commercial security landscape will be defined by integration, intelligence, and accountability. Physical and cyber security will converge, AI-driven monitoring will become the standard, regulatory compliance will be more complex, and ethics will influence investment decisions. Businesses that embrace these trends proactively will not only safeguard assets and personnel, but also boost their resilience and trust in an increasingly complex environment.

Visitor management systems can be an important component of a comprehensive security program and may help organisations manage facility access and visitor tracking as part of their overall security strategy. They also play an important role in delivering a seamless visitor experience and optimising front desk operations by streamlining check-ins and reducing administrative burdens. Many organisations have visitor management procedures in place that require a receptionist or other employee to keep written logs or manually check in visitors, which takes time and resources away from the day-to-day business. Implementing visitor management systems can be a major task for organisations – and finding a solution that can integrate with existing systems is vital. Keeping track of appointments Visitor management systems allow a business to centralise and automate their visitor-related processes including pre-registering guests, providing QR code or mobile credentials for building access and check-in, and notifying hosts automatically when guests arrive. Everon was approached by a long-standing customer in the professional lawn care industry, with over 10,000 employees in locations across North America, to upgrade their visitor management system. The customer relocated to new headquarters and sought to upgrade from written logs to a more efficient means of keeping track of appointments. Workplace experience platform Everon worked closely with Sharry, a cloud-based smart access and workplace experience platform that provides workplace managers and security teams with reliable, easy-to-deploy access control solutions. Sharry offers a highly customisable visitor management solution that can be tailored to each client’s specific requirements. In this case, the client was looking for a way to ensure an automated yet secure operation of their new reception area without the need for on-site front desk staff. Temporary access credential The customer was clear in their request that they did not want visitors to download an extra app to check in to the facility, so Sharry provided software that the customer could use on their existing compatible hardware such as iPad tablets – eliminating the need for large purchases of additional hardware. The Sharry system is designed to provide visitors with an efficient check-in process. Once an appointment is confirmed, the host can send a standard calendar invitation via Outlook, while the Sharry system automatically issues a guest pass email to the visitor. This email includes meeting details, directions to the facility, and a QR code that serves as a temporary access credential. Upon arrival in the lobby, the visitor can use the QR code to unlock the doors, as the system is fully integrated with the customer’s existing Brivo access control infrastructure. The host is then notified in real time that their guest has arrived. Additional features for consideration For walk-in guests without prior registration, a self-service kiosk app on a tablet at the reception is available for a smooth check-in. The system automatically verifies each guest against a do-not-admit list and simultaneously notifies the host that a visitor has arrived to see them. The host is then responsible for escorting the guest from the lobby. While not utilised in this particular deployment, Sharry’s robust visitor management system offers a wide array of additional features for consideration, such as automated parking reservations for guests, visitor ID scanning, or the management of visitor agreements. Reinforcing brand consistency Since Sharry visitor management is delivered as a white-labeled solution, it fully incorporates the customer’s brand identity across various outputs and touchpoints. Guest pass emails are not sent under the Sharry name but are instead issued on behalf of the client, reinforcing brand consistency. Similarly, the kiosk app reflects the client’s branding, contributing to a cohesive and professional visitor experience from the moment a guest is invited to a meeting. The delivered solution also includes the Insights analytics tool, offering a clear view of visitor flow by identifying peak days and times and forecasting visits for the coming times. It can automatically generate and send data reports to support management decisions. Separate access control system This project was unique – the customer had already worked with Everon in implementing a separate access control system, Brivo, before the inclusion and integration of the Sharry system. Support from both the Brivo and Sharry teams were excellent, working closely with Everon technicians to ensure that the integration process went smoothly. “The Sharry team were ready to jump in and help at any time to provide a seamless experience,” said Richard Kensky, Project Manager at Everon, “Considering that the customer had not worked with the technology of this kind before, it was important that both teams were hands on every step of the way.” Integrated visitor management system “Although this was not a typical use case for our integrated visitor management system, the project confirmed the flexibility and robustness of our system to adapt to the evolving needs of enterprise clients and office buildings,” said Michal Čeřovský, COO and co-founder at Sharry. “Thanks to smooth cooperation with Everon and their hands-on approach as a trusted partner for the client, the implementation of the integrated solution—from kickoff to full deployment—was completed in just three weeks.” The implemented visitor management solution demonstrated strong capabilities in deployment speed, cost management, and access control features, while supporting the client's security, efficiency, and compliance objectives. Modern access control technology has never been more convenient.

Everon helped a large, multi-site organisation in Arkansas protect 15+ locations with integrated fire alarm systems, inspections, and UL-certified 24/7 monitoring. A large, multi-site church in Arkansas needed a trusted fire and life safety partner to provide visibility and reliability across all 15 of its facilities. Everon delivered an integrated fire alarm system with device-level addressability, comprehensive inspections, and UL-certified 24/7 fire monitoring—helping ensure safety, compliance, and peace of mind for thousands of weekly visitors. Previous monitoring company A multi-location church in Arkansas with over 15 locations was struggling to identify a new fire and life safety provider that would provide them with critical insight into their existing systems.  The customer had addressable systems – a complex fire detection network where each device has a unique ‘address’ on a central control panel to determine the exact location of an alarm for a quicker response – in all of their facilities and locations, but were unable to view these addresses in one clean interface with their previous monitoring company. Performing fire alarm With thousands of visitors attending services each week, it became clear that the safety of the churchgoers in the event of a fire was at risk without the proper device address data to quickly identify the fire’s location. Everon’s team of fire and life safety experts conducted a comprehensive analysis of the customer’s current system configuration and were able to install and re-program the existing fire systems, while also performing fire alarm and extinguisher inspections. The fully integrated fire alarm system helps ensure that the church facilities are protected and in compliance with local, state, and national fire safety code requirements. Faster emergency response The customer also completed their fire and life safety system by choosing Everon as their UL certified fire monitoring service, with monitoring centers strategically located throughout the United States and owned by Everon, supporting a faster emergency response in the event of an incident 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. With the customer’s fire safety systems fully integrated, the alarm and extinguisher inspections completed, and now supported by the expertise of Everon’s monitoring teams – the customer was pleased with Everon’s attention to detail that allowed them to return their focus to day-to-day church activities rather than concerning themselves with the management of their fire systems. Everon’s experts earned the trust of the customer, and eventually the customer transitioned all of their life safety services to Everon – now acting as the customer’s One Ideal Partner for their entire fire and life safety program.

When it comes to balancing visibility and spending, Security Incident Event Managment (SIEM) licencing models can be somewhat restrictive—something a multinational, born in the cloud technology company was becoming painfully aware of. The organisation wanted to improve its security posture by ingesting more data feeds into its SIEM. However, its cybersecurity team found itself hampered by licence limitations and prevented from feeding in more data by licence utilisation caps. Faced with excessive additional licencing costs, the company needed an alternative solution that would optimise the ingestion of data, reduce licence usage, and boost visibility across its environment—without breaking the bank. Enter Cribl  Looking for the best solution to achieve their data goals, the company reached out to cybersecurity company RiverSafe for advice. Given its ability to optimise, route and enrich data, Cribl was chosen as a possible fit, and RiverSafe began a proof of concept to investigate the potential impact the product could have on the company’s data streams. “We chose four data sources, and deliberately chose some of our most volumetric data sources. We had a success criterion in mind, and that was to send all these data sources to our SIEM environment via Cribl and see what kind of reduction we could get from a percentage perspective,” the head of security programme management said. “It’s seemed to be a very good product and much needed in the marketplace. There are many organisations like us who have the same kind of challenges and the same use case issues, whereby they don’t have the budget or inclination  to spend more and more money on their SIEM.” Instant data ingestion reduction After a successful proof-of-concept, the company opted to implement Cribl Stream. “I know (Cribl Stream) and I knew its capability, so I had an inkling as to what the reduction rate could potentially be. What really surprised me was how easy it was to reduce the data feeds into the SIEM. I was really shocked at how seamless it was to introduce a layer like Cribl to assist with the data optimisation and reduction.” After implementing Cribl Stream as an optimisation layer, the company reduced the amount of data being fed into its SIEM from around 750GB to 450GB. “We were able to reduce our data ingest by about 40%, which matched our original success criteria around the percentage we hoped to reduce the data ingestion by. More importantly, what we were reducing were largely blank fields and null values, content that didn’t feed into our detection rules. We’re able to gain this headroom and cost savings without sacrificing visibility or increasing risk.” Streamlining data ingestion An additional benefit the company experienced post-implementation was streamlined data ingestion. By pointing data through Cribl, the company is able to cherry-pick the data that’s sent to its SIEM, simplifying the onboarding process for new data feeds. “Once we’ve pointed the data to Cribl, we’re able to pick and choose what data we send into the SIEM and what data we don’t. That’s made it a lot more efficient in terms of the way we onboard data, and it’s enabled us to be a lot more granular with the data that we ingest into our SIEM.” Greater scalability With the reduction in data ingestion levels, the company is less likely to run into issues due to SIEM licencing limitations. By employing Cribl to help manage its data, the company hopes to benefit from greater scalability and agility in the future. “Going forward, we’ll have scalability from a visibility and coverage perspective without being constrained by a SIEM licence.” This flexibility is just one of the wide-reaching benefits that the company has experienced since implementing Cribl, and one that’s made a major difference to its operations. “Cribl gives you the flexibility to reduce data ingest, but also the flexibility to be agile and to move your data sources from one environment to another without much configuration. It’s given us the capability to be less rigid in our architecture; that’s been the biggest impact for us.” Significant cost savings Having cut data ingestion by 40% with Cribl Stream, the company is free to load more data feeds into its SIEM without the need to purchase additional licencing capacity. This has not only allowed the company to increase visibility across its digital environment, but also cut down on licencing costs. “Now that we’ve got Cribl in our architecture, we have the ability to ingest more data feeds without having to buy additional licencing—that’s already saved us money. If we didn’t have Cribl, that additional cost would have been between £120,000 and £150,000 per year, on top of what we’re already paying today for our SIEM.” As well as reducing spending on SIEM licencing, the company has been able to cut costs in other areas. “We’re completely in the cloud, so we’re charged for data that we retain for a longer period. Now that we have Cribl, we can send the data that we want to retain to a cheaper storage solution. And with Cribl Replay and Cribl Search, we still have the ability to easily search that data should we need it for audits or incident investigation. That gives us a cost benefit and more flexibility in the long run.” Smarter resource utilisation Cribl is also helping the company put its valuable resources to better use by cutting down on manual data management tasks. Previously, its team had to configure multiple destinations when data was ingested. With Cribl, data from various locations can be ingested once and pointed to numerous locations around the business, eliminating the need for system and platform owners to configure multiple endpoints. FTE effort to implement a data feed “Normally, it would’ve taken us about two days of FTE effort to implement a data feed into Splunk or a similar destination. Since the introduction of Cribl, we’ve cut that down to half a day because now we only need to configure to send to Cribl and Cribl takes care of translating the data into the ideal format for other destinations.” This reduction in time and labour adds up to additional cost savings too. Now, the company can send just the data that’s relevant to a particular end user, rather than shipping the entire data set. This has helped save money on licencing, infrastructure/compute, processing, and effort. “Because we’re a cloud-native organisation, processing costs money—if we’re able to save on that, then we are definitely winning from a cost perspective.”

At the client, a multinational Oil and Gas company, the IT team provides technical support and security reporting to over 7,000 retail sites. Their work includes managing all firewalls, switches, VPNs, servers and network appliances, as well as the challenging job of keeping track of operational and compliance status. Due to limitations with its existing SIEM solution, the team in North America struggled to get full visibility on over 40% of the activities within its PCI environment. This significant blind spot left the company vulnerable and at high risk of data breaches. Not only was gaining a complete overview of PCI activity an issue, but the team also had to undertake hours of manual data processing and other activities. This extra workload was partly a result of poor data structuring within the SIEM solution, making it difficult to search. The solution Having already seen the benefits of using Splunk within its European team, the client opted to implement the platform to improve security and observability in North America. To help deploy the new solution, they commissioned RiverSafe due to their expertise with Splunk to deliver the implementation in partnership with its internal team. With the support of RiverSafe, the team created a bespoke design blueprint and built its own Splunk instance within its private cloud environment. This was a significant step for the team, resulting in previously siloed archive data from 15 data sources and 7,000 websites being stored in one space, and creating a one-stop-shop for PCI compliance officers to access the information they need. As an accredited Splunk partner, RiverSafe was able to deliver expertise in demonstrating PCI compliance, providing the in-house team with the ability to verify compliance by improving data handling and automating reporting. The outcome Since RiverSafe successfully implemented Splunk, the team has gained full visibility into their PCI environment, ensuring the security of their data and improving efficiency around reporting. Now, the team is fully equipped to keep on top of both operational and compliance activities. Benefits achieved by the implementation include: 20-30% reduction of time spent on evidence collection for PCI audit 15-20% reduction of operational admin time through the removal of manual processes 24/7 protection of data and the systems processing it thanks to real-time monitoring and alerting capabilities Visibility on the whole environment Improved ability to mitigate potential fraud and prevent security breaches Instant visibility on PCI compliance across the whole environment Immediate notification of any breaches of PCI compliance requirements