Page 20 - Security Today, November/December 2020

2021 TRENDS
2021 Security Industry Predictions After an Unprecedented Year of Change
BTy Mark Duato
o say that 2020 has been a challenge is an under- statement. COVID-19 has created unprecedented circumstances that have upended life as we know it, and redefined what it means to be resilient in the ever-evolving security industry. Now, more than
ever, there has never been a greater need for innovation.
In the past, resiliency was achieved through a balance of maintaining operational capabilities and optimizing the day-to- day functionality of spaces. But resiliency means much more than that, especially now. It means finding ways for businesses, customers and partners to manage unpredictability in the face of
adverse and challenging times.
Despite the health, economic, climate and social crises we
are experiencing, the security industry remains strong and has a bigger role to play than ever before. The demands of today’s business environment are accelerating the need for and adop- tion of existing and emerging technologies to not only create safer and more secure functional environments, but also to en- sure some level of continuity within our daily lives and future phases of reopening.
Reopening the spaces where we work and gather will require creative reimagining to remain resilient now and in the future. Unfortunately, there are still many unknowns around COV- ID-19, which can be challenging when trying to determine the steps needed to make a facility safer.
To be resilient now means understanding the complexity of managing facilities, including safety and security, reducing touch- points and enabling social distancing. Looking ahead, it will also be crucial to understand how to leverage new technologies and reimagine existing technologies in new ways to sustain resiliency.
Touchless solutions, mobile, and wireless technologies are three frictionless access control solutions that are gaining in im- portance during a time when resilience is key.
TOUCHLESS SOLUTIONS
The understanding and interest in making the entire process of moving through a space – from entry to exit – more automated and hands-free already exists, and there are signs that these con- cepts are expanding with new innovations and applications of existing technologies.
For example, a new application for an existing technology is the use of ultra-wideband (UWB) to enable hands-free access to entry and exit points. Using ultra-wideband technology, we can tell if a credential holder is just walking by a door or is actually walking toward the door with intent to enter. This provides the security needed to enable access from a credential in your pocket. As more automation around the door opening is introduced, we anticipate demand for low-touch and hands-free products to grow, particularly in verticals like education.
Most importantly, when it comes to building a resilient ac- cess control system, these products will be valuable in helping facilities re-open safely today, while also setting them up for a
faster, more effective response in the future should another pub- lic health crisis occur.
MOBILE
Mobile has grown in importance during the pandemic, and will likely continue well beyond the pandemic – particularly for credentials. Mobile access is now desired more than ever for door openings – both for convenience and as a means of reducing touch- points. A recent survey by HID Global found that 57 percent of respondents see mobile access as the top trend shaping the access control industry. Implementing mobile solutions can also move business beyond the four walls of an organization or institution.
Mobile and remote applications also enable distance learning from kindergarten through higher education and allow access to health care from even the most rural locations. They have value for business, too. As businesses manage remote workforces and entities require solutions to control access to unmanned infra- structure, the ability to issue access rights over the air is para- mount. It eliminates the need for key holders to go to an office environment to have keys programmed, reducing the potential for germ transmission, and enabling better control and auditability of who is accessing various locations.
WIRELESS AND LOCATION SERVICES TECHNOLOGIES
Wireless technologies make it easier and more affordable to expand access control deeper into the facility and to more ap- plications. Creative use of this existing infrastructure can also help improve safety by managing traffic flow, limiting the number of people in a given area, and allowing you to quickly change how a particular space is used. It can also support contact trac- ing and allow you to restrict access to areas if decontamination is required.
Location services technologies have gained traction over the years and have the potential to help manage germ spread. For example, platforms like BluVision will be incredibly valuable in supporting contact tracing efforts and enforcing social distanc- ing. Using real-time location and proximity-based location data, location services technology can create a safe working environ- ment for employees and visitors, restore productivity and em- ployee confidence without compromising privacy, and adhere to regulatory mandates.
As we look at the future workplace and how to manage a dis- parate workforce, it is clear that access control
has a significant role to play. Though this has
been a very challenging time for everyone, it is
driving us to find creative solutions that allow us to build safer, healthier, and more secure en- vironments that will become the new standard for high-performance buildings.
Mark Duato is the executive vice president of Aftermarket Solutions with ASSA ABLOY’s Door Security Solutions (DSS) division.
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 | SECURITY TODAY