The future of access control is continuously evolving. How we manage access to physical and digital spaces has changed dramatically, with technology and accessibility being the key factors in its transformation.
The rise of smartphones, cloud technology and hybrid working has become less of a luxury and more of a necessity in everyday life. To help future-proof your business, we explore the top three access control trends of 2024, ensuring you stay informed on the latest technologies and methods to enhance your access control system.
Advanced Biometric Systems
Advanced biometric systems have transformed access control technology, impacting not just the security industry but also everyday consumer applications. These systems are now found in common devices like laptops and smartphones, using features such as facial recognition and touchless entry. They’ve also introduced multi-modal and wearable biometrics to smartwatches and fitness trackers, adding serveral layers of verification to make access control easier and more accessible.
With high precision, advanced biometric systems are becoming increasingly common. This technology helps minimise false positives and flags unauthorised access, granting or denying entry to personnel. As technologies like facial recognition and fingerprint scanning become standard features in smartphones, alternatives such as voice recognition, iris scanning and contactless fingerprints are set to become the next standard in access control management systems.
Mobile Access Solutions
With smartphones changing the way we interact with and access digital spaces, we see businesses move away from traditional key cards and fobs and embrace the future of keyless technology. Many access control systems now offer mobile applications that allow users to access facilities directly from their smartphone. This provides real-time monitoring and control, adding an extra layer of security and instant control to prevent unauthorised access.
Phones have become multi-functional devices, serving not only as communication tools but also as cameras, wallets, personal assistants and entertainment hubs. Using mobile access solutions in the workplace gives greater flexibility, improves privacy and can also lower the maintenance costs of credential management for end users. This technology is flexible and access can be granted or revoked remotely which makes managing access seamless.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration
Artificial intelligence (AI) is being employed to make access control smarter and faster. The integration of AI with access control management systems can detect anomalies, analyse data patterns and predict security risks, adapting in real-time to monitor user behaviour. Automated decision-making is ideal for emergency situations where system lockdowns, alarms or alerts are essential to minimising potential damages or security threats.
Although AI will not replace the need for manual intervention, it proves beneficial to security teams by providing key insights into operations and assisting in triggering specific workflows to strengthen security. AI can also be integrated with other security systems, such as surveillance cameras, environmental sensors and building management systems, improving the overall safety and security of your organisation.
Want to learn more about the future of access control? Contact us today to learn how Access Inspired can transform your security, providing you with the flexibility, adaptability and protection you need.
