Access Control Predictions For 2021
2021 is set to be an interesting year for the access control industry with many new trends emerging.
Here are some of our predictions in terms of access control technology and systems in the year ahead.
These include:
- Increased Use of Facial Biometric Readers. These are now available from many of the mainstream access control hardware manufacturers such as Idemia, Suprema, Hikvision, Dahua and Tyco. Technology is improving all the time but some concerns still remain around spoofing.
- A decrease in the use of temperature screening devices as professionals and organisations realise this is almost completely ineffective in ‘detecting’ individuals with COVID-19, especially when some manufacturers manipulate results.
- Proof of COVID Vaccine as Part of Visitor Access Control Processing at sites. The could include the scanning of a ‘COVID Vaccine Type Passport’ such as a Yellow Fever Travel Card. This will most likely also form part of the onboarding process for permanent access control users.
- Mobile access control credentials such as those operating via BLE and NFC will continue to gain in popularity with some established role players such as 2N, HID & Assa Abloy providing wireless credential readers. However many end-users are already suffering from app fatigue and may not be inclined to have to install another smartphone application.
- Further increase in the use of ‘on the edge’ IP PoE Powered access control readers. Companies like 2N and Axis and are well-positioned to capture this market.
- New building projects will be specified with automated door openers and sliding doors in order to reduce physical contact with ironmongery door handles and door push plates. Contact door release buttons will also disappear almost completely in favour of contactless or ‘wave’ proximity door release buttons (REX devices). Same can be said for parking ticket dispensers.
- The importance of data privacy will increase as individuals & corporates become more aware of data security breaches. GDPR will also move to a centre stage for the access control industry.
- The Uptake in Cloud Access Control will increase as security managers have seen the benefit of being able to remotely manage facility access control while continuing to work partially or completely from home. Some of these systems may not be software as a service subscription but rather cloud systems hosted by the relevant organisation/corporate. This will also need to support the new generation of ‘mini-satellite’ or shared offices that many corporates may move personnel to.
- The hospitality industry reeling from COVID will be looking at reducing labour costs and automating more of the guest access process including providing electronic curb to couch access control for Airbnb guests.
- The popularity of QR codes as an access control credential will continue. Some countries like China have already started using social media QR codes such as WeChat QR codes as access control credentials.
(Bonus Point)
Access control systems will start coming out with integrated data analytics. These will help security management identify trends such as the busiest access times, the most popular hosts, regular visitors and other info which will help them better manager the site.