The Future of Access Control: What Comes Next?

The next evolution of access control is unfolding as organizations adopt cloud, edge computing and IoT-driven security strategies. According to the 2025 Trends in Access Controllers Report, 72% of security professionals consider controllers a critical part of their system design and 44% are adopting edge computing. These trends signal a shift toward more adaptable, data-driven security systems that can operate reliably across complex environments.

Expanding Intelligence at the Edge

Controllers are handling more security logic on-site rather than relying on centralized systems. Edge computing allows access decisions, credential verification and security responses to happen locally, which improves reliability and reduces delays. This shift is particularly valuable for organizations managing high-volume facilities, remote locations, or sites where network outages would otherwise disrupt operations.

The Trends in Access Controllers Report highlights that 53% of organizations integrate building occupancy data into their security systems. When controllers process this data at the edge, they can adjust access permissions in real time based on occupancy levels or compliance requirements without waiting for a cloud-based update. This capability strengthens both security and operational efficiency.

The Convergence of Access Control and IoT

Security systems are increasingly connected to broader building management infrastructure. The survey found that 37% of organizations prioritize IoT integration when selecting controllers, ensuring access systems work with lighting, HVAC and other automation technologies. Controllers capable of processing real-time data from multiple systems can contribute to energy efficiency, compliance monitoring and space optimization.

For example, access controllers that detect unauthorized attempts to enter a facility can trigger automated camera recordings, lock down specific areas, or alert building personnel without requiring manual intervention. These automated workflows improve response times and create a more cohesive security strategy.

Hybrid Cloud and Scalable Infrastructure

While cloud-based access control is gaining traction — 52% of organizations now use cloud-enabled controllers — most systems will continue operating in a hybrid model. Controllers will balance local processing with cloud-based analytics, long-term data storage and remote management. This approach ensures that systems remain responsive while allowing security teams to centralize monitoring and streamline updates across multiple locations.

Scalability remains a priority. Modular controllers allow organizations to expand security coverage without replacing existing infrastructure. The Trends in Access Controllers Report shows that 86% of respondents prioritize backward and forward compatibility, ensuring that new technology integrates with legacy systems. This flexibility helps organizations modernize security without excessive cost or operational disruption.

Cybersecurity and Embedded Applications

Security teams recognize the increasing risks associated with connected access control systems. The report found that 90% of organizations actively track evolving cybersecurity standards, yet 21% say their current controllers lack critical protections. To address these risks, the latest controllers incorporate hardware-based security measures such as encrypted communication, secure boot and ARM TrustZone architecture to protect against unauthorized access.

Controllers that support embedded applications offer an additional layer of security and customization. Instead of relying solely on external servers, these controllers can run security applications locally to monitor system integrity, manage credentials, or enforce compliance policies in real time. This capability allows organizations to tailor security protocols to specific operational needs while maintaining a controlled, verifiable software environment.

What Comes Next?

The access control industry is shifting toward systems that process data closer to where security events occur, integrate with enterprise-wide infrastructure and scale across distributed locations. The ability to manage security logic at the edge, connect with IoT devices and maintain hybrid cloud functionality will shape future deployments.

Organizations evaluating new controllers should consider their ability to support these trends. Mercury MP Intelligent Controllers are designed for this next phase of access control, combining edge processing, advanced cybersecurity and a flexible architecture that supports evolving security and operational needs.

Read the full 2025 Trends in Access Controllers Report to explore how organizations are preparing for the next generation of security technology.

Security at a Crossroads: How Organizations Balance Innovation and Risk

The access control industry is evolving rapidly, driven by cloud adoption, mobile credentials and edge computing. Mercury’s 2025 Trends in Access Controllers Report found that 72% of security professionals consider controllers a critical part of their access strategy, expecting stronger integration, real-time decision-making and improved cybersecurity.

Yet, embracing change means addressing new challenges. Organizations must navigate legacy system compatibility, emerging cyber threats and the need for long-term flexibility. The right balance of security, adaptability and future-ready design will shape the next era of access control.

Cloud-Connected, Locally Resilient

Cloud-enabled access control continues to gain ground, with 52% of organizations now using controllers that support cloud connectivity. Centralized management, real-time monitoring and streamlined software updates make cloud adoption appealing.

Still, complete reliance on the cloud remains unlikely. Security systems must continue to function even when network connections are disrupted. Edge-enabled controllers address this by processing authentication requests and enforcing policies locally, reducing delays and improving system reliability.

Mobile Credential Adoption Continues

More than half of respondents cited mobile credential support as a key factor in their controller selection. Mobile credentials offer clear advantages: they are less likely to be misplaced, easier to manage remotely and often more tightly linked to a user’s identity.

They also hold up well in terms of security. Most systems store credentials in secure areas of the phone’s hardware, not in the app itself. Data sent between the phone and the reader are encrypted, which makes it difficult to intercept or spoof. A controller that natively supports mobile credentials and can be updated via software with the latest protocols and capabilities serves to enhance a mobile credential strategy.

Interoperability and the Challenge of Legacy Infrastructure

Integrating new technology with existing infrastructure remains one of the biggest hurdles to modernization. The report found that 76% of organizations prioritize interoperability in controller selection, aiming for compatibility across diverse devices and systems. Backward and forward compatibility also weighs heavily in long-term planning, with 86% of respondents identifying it as a key consideration.

Controllers serve as a bridge between past and future technologies. They must work seamlessly with access readers, sensors, alarms and other security systems while supporting emerging protocols and integrations. This adaptability minimizes costly system overhauls and extends the lifespan of security investments.

Many organizations favor modular controller platforms that allow phased upgrades rather than full-scale replacements. This approach provides a smoother transition to new technology, ensuring security strategies remain adaptable as threats and operational needs evolve.

Cybersecurity in a Networked Security Ecosystem

With access control becoming more interconnected, cybersecurity remains top of mind. Nearly 90% of organizations track evolving security standards, recognizing that vulnerabilities in access controllers could expose broader enterprise systems to risk. Yet, 21% of respondents reported that their controllers lack critical cybersecurity protections.

Secure controller platforms address these risks with embedded safeguards, including encrypted communication, secure boot and hardware-based threat isolation. A structured software development process ensures that only verified applications run on these devices, reducing the risk of unauthorized code or exploits.

Regular updates and patches allow controllers to keep pace with emerging threats without disrupting operations. As cyberattacks grow more sophisticated, organizations need security frameworks that proactively address vulnerabilities rather than merely react to known risks.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Access Control

The industry is shifting toward more intelligent, more connected and highly adaptable access control systems. The ability to process data at the edge, integrate with enterprise-wide security platforms and support cloud-enabled management is reshaping expectations.

Intelligent controllers capable of running applications at the edge are redefining access control. By reducing reliance on external servers, this approach enhances system resilience, accelerates response times and enables real-time decision-making. Organizations can implement custom security logic directly within their infrastructure, creating dynamic, efficient solutions that evolve with their needs.

The Future Is Open

As technology advances, decision-makers must weigh the benefits of innovation against the risks of untested integrations and security gaps. Mercury’s 2025 Trends in Access Controllers Report highlights the need for controllers that deliver scalability, interoperability and cybersecurity. Access control is no longer just about opening doors. It will continue to play a growing role in protecting people, data and infrastructure across an increasingly connected world.

Download the full report here, or visit mercury-security.com to learn more.

“Open” is one of the most overused — and misunderstood — terms in access control. Walk through any industry trade show or read any product brochure and you’ll see it everywhere. But when every solution claims to be “open,” the word loses meaning and customers are left to navigate a maze of semi-compatible systems and incomplete integrations.

At its core, open access control is defined by adherence to industry standards. Open protocols like OSDP for secure reader communication, BACnet for building automation and MQTT for IoT are foundational to creating interoperable systems. These protocols establish a universal language, allowing devices from different manufacturers to communicate seamlessly without the limitations of proprietary systems.

However, true openness goes far beyond just protocols — it’s about offering real choice and flexibility. The strategic value of open architecture is the ability to integrate hardware, software and cloud services from different vendors and platforms rather than being artificially limited by proprietary boundaries. As a result, organizations can tailor the solution to their specific needs and adapt as new technology emerges. It requires long-term commitment to an environment where hardware, software and cloud services can work together across vendors, products and platforms.

Defining Openness in Access Control

An access control system built on open architecture creates a framework that supports broad interoperability across the full stack — edge devices, security controllers, software platforms, APIs and cloud environments.

Open doesn’t mean “anything goes.” It means consistent, secure and predictable interfaces that third parties can reliably build on. It requires well-defined SDKs and a structured developer ecosystem that enables rapid innovation without compromising security or stability. In access control, openness benefits from a controlled approach — providing APIs and tools to verified partners to ensure secure integration, maintain system integrity and prevent misuse that could introduce vulnerabilities.

Why Integration Matters More Than Ever

Security infrastructures are no longer isolated. They’re complex ecosystems that include access control, video surveillance, identity platforms, building management systems, IoT sensors and cloud services. These elements need to work together and the glue that holds them together is integration.

According to recent research by Mercury, 76% of access control professionals cite interoperability as a critical requirement. As organizations grow increasingly reliant on hybrid systems and distributed architectures, the ability to integrate is a baseline expectation.

Additionally, flexibility helps protect system investments by avoiding costly rip-and-replace cycles. Open architecture enables gradual upgrades, modular deployments and long-term scalability without starting over every few years.

The Economic and Strategic Value of Openness

Beyond technical flexibility, open architecture delivers tangible business benefits. By supporting multi-vendor environments, organizations can choose best-of-breed components rather than being locked into a single supplier. This competition fosters innovation, improves quality and reduces costs.

Open systems also make it easier to respond to change. Whether that’s integrating a new biometric reader, adding mobile credential support or connecting to a cloud-based identity platform, an open controller should provide the hooks to plug in and scale without disruption.

And because truly open platforms don’t rely on proprietary connectors or closed software stacks, they’re easier to maintain and future-proof. Organizations can shift strategies, vendors or technologies without rebuilding the entire infrastructure.

Enabling Intelligence at the Edge

New edge computing capabilities are a natural extension of the open-architecture vision. By pushing processing capabilities closer to the access point, edge-enabled systems reduce latency, support real-time decision-making and maintain continuity during network interruptions.

An open access control platform supports edge functionality by allowing third-party applications to run directly on controllers, integrating tightly with local sensors, readers and devices while maintaining compatibility with broader cloud and enterprise systems. This decentralization reinforces both security and flexibility, making edge computing a key part of an open, future-ready access control strategy.

Openness and Security: Not a Tradeoff

Some hesitate at the word “open,” associating it with increased risk. But openness and security are allies. In fact, the transparency and standardization that come with open architecture are key to building robust, secure systems.

Open protocols like OSDP support encrypted communication between readers and controllers. Published APIs allow for secure, audited integrations rather than ad-hoc connections. Modular architectures with signed apps and containerized environments give organizations control over what runs in their systems without compromising performance or reliability. These capabilities support secure, structured and standards-driven interoperability.

A Win-Win Approach to System Design

For system integrators, consultants and end users, the takeaway is clear: ask harder questions. If a vendor claims to be “open,” dig deeper. Do they support industry protocols? Can their controllers interface with third-party software and hardware without costly customization?

Look for evidence of real openness — support for non-proprietary interfaces, flexible upgrade paths and developer engagement. In access control, this represents a long-term strategy that determines how well a system will serve you over time.

In access control, the ability to integrate across technology solutions has become critical to security, flexibility and investment protection. True integration is only possible with a foundation of open architecture. As systems become more complex and expectations grow, the ability to integrate securely and flexibly is what sets future-ready platforms apart. At the end of the day, openness refers to specific technology characteristics, but it’s also an ethos focused on delivering freedom of choice, resilience in the face of change and the ability to innovate without limits.

Learn more about how Mercury embodies the principles of open architecture. Talk to an expert today.