Volume 31 | August 22, 2025

This Week’s Featured Articles & Media

RealSense x The Access Control Collective | RealSense WhitePaper: The Ethical Application of Facial Authentication in Enterprise Access Control
Think facial authentication and ethics can’t coexist? This white paper challenges that assumption—revealing how smart regulation might be the secret to unlocking secure, privacy-first access control. If you care about the future of identity tech, this is a must-read.

Alert Enterprise | 10 Years in the Making. Long Live the Wallet.
It’s not every day you see HID and Wavelynx side by side. Thanks to Alert Enterprise for starting this important conversation. Part one of the series is now live.

Jon Polly | Tech Trends: A Different Sort of Immigration
Originally published in the Security Business Magazine, Jon explores how the global security industry is shifting, with North America no longer being the sole leader as innovative companies from Europe and beyond enter the market. They examine the types of international manufacturers making this move and the potential impact on North American integrators and industry standards.

Mike Niola | Data Center Demand Reaches Hyperspeed
Originally published in the Security Business Magazine. Data centers are being built faster and bigger than ever—and security can no longer afford to lag behind. Discover why early collaboration between security pros and design teams is now the key to building smarter, faster, and more resilient facilities.

The Access Control Collective x JCI | Is Software House Access Control + Event Management positioning the iStar panel as a stand-alone controller?
Hear the answer to this question and more by becoming a member and watching the discussion between Lee Odess, Rick Focke, and Clark Harbaugh.

The Access Control Collective | ACS LATAM
The Access Control Collective is heading to São Paulo for ACS LATAM 2025! In partnership with Google and with support from HID and ASSA ABLOY, this event is set to be a cornerstone gathering for the region. Don’t miss it. Find the link to register below.

The Access Control Collective x Bloxspring | RAMP: The Conference for Marketing Leaders in Security and Protech
RAMP 2025 is a conference designed specifically for marketers in built environment technology and security—bringing industry leaders together in New York City for a full day of insight, innovation, and meaningful connection. Find the link to register below.

The Access Control Collective | PhySecJobs.com
Below you will find all of the latest jobs in the physical security industry.

Find them all below!

What if the very regulations you believed were slowing down the adoption of facial authentication... were actually the foundation for doing it right?

That’s the surprising insight at the heart of our latest white paper, developed in partnership with The Access Control Collective and the team at RealSense:
The Ethical Application of Facial Authentication in Enterprise Access Control in Western Markets.

This paper explores how privacy laws and regulatory frameworks—often viewed as obstacles—can actually guide the responsible and scalable implementation of facial authentication technologies in enterprise environments.

Special thanks to Mike Nielsen, Eyal Rond, Penny Malsch, and the entire RealSense team for their invaluable collaboration on this important project.

Now available for download — click here.

Plastic cards have been a reliable standard in access control for decades, but the industry is undergoing a major transformation. Mobile credentials are no longer just an emerging trend—they’ve become a driving force of change. Organizations that hesitate to adapt risk falling behind in a rapidly evolving landscape.

This shift was a key theme during a roundtable discussion at Intersec Dubai, led by Lee Odess, CEO of The Access Control Collective. Industry leaders from Alert Enterprise, HID Global, and Wavelynx shared a clear consensus: the transition from physical to mobile access is not only inevitable—it’s already in full swing.

“There’s an undeniable wave of demand for transitioning from plastic to mobile,” said Matt Bennett, Vice President of Mobile Access & Strategic Partnerships at Alert Enterprise. “We’re seeing exponential growth in mobile adoption. Plastic is still around, but it’s barely growing.”

The momentum behind mobile access is being driven by user expectations for convenience, flexibility, and security. Smartphones are already central to everyday life, and extending their use to access control is a natural next step. As adoption rates continue to climb, the industry is being urged to meet the moment and invest in mobile-first strategies.

Find the full article here.

North America has long been viewed as the epicenter of the security industry, home to major global headquarters, key industry standards, and a large customer base. However, this long-held belief is being challenged. Innovation is increasingly taking place across the globe, and in many areas—particularly around technology, privacy, and compliance—North America may actually be lagging behind.

European standards and innovations are gaining ground, often surpassing those from North American bodies such as SIA, ASIS, and NIST. A growing number of international security manufacturers now see North America not as the global leader, but as the next logical expansion opportunity. This trend is accelerating, with companies entering the market not sporadically, but in steady waves—bringing new technologies and ideas that will reshape the landscape.

These new entrants generally fall into three categories:

1. Family-run manufacturers – These are well-established, often regionally dominant companies with long histories in security. Many are now entering North America due to leadership transitions, market saturation at home, or shifting global economic factors like tariffs. Examples include Gantner, Elatec, Gallagher, ecos-systems, and CIAS—names familiar in other regions but still gaining recognition in the U.S.

2. Startups – Cloud technology has enabled a new wave of software-driven companies to enter the market. These startups often focus on modern user experiences, scalable platforms, and service-based business models with recurring revenue. By partnering with hardware OEMs that meet North American standards, they can bypass traditional manufacturing hurdles. Companies like Spintly, Torus, and Active Witness are leading this charge, though many are still exploring effective go-to-market strategies.

3. Agents of change – These are disruptors that challenge traditional norms, embrace innovation, and prioritize collaboration. They focus on solving real-world problems using advanced technologies like biometrics, mobile credentials, self-sovereign identity, and open-source platforms. Often unafraid to partner with legacy players, these companies are helping drive the next wave of security innovation. Notable examples include FATH Mechatronics, CoreWillSoft, Sharry, and iLOQ.

As barriers to entry lower and demand for modern, compliant solutions grows, more international companies will likely gain a foothold in North America. These newcomers aren’t limited to small or mid-sized solutions—they cover a broad range of verticals and offerings. In many cases, they already meet higher regulatory standards abroad, especially around data privacy, AI, and biometrics—areas where North American companies are still catching up.

For integrators and consultants, this creates both opportunity and challenge. With full product portfolios already in place, they’ll need to consider whether to add, replace, or expand their offerings. But those willing to embrace new players may find themselves at the forefront of the industry’s next major evolution.

Find the full article here.

The global data center industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, fueled by digital transformation, cloud computing, and AI. In 2024 alone, data center construction hit $241 billion, with projections soaring to $450 billion by 2030. Colocation and AI-driven builds are also surging, and U.S. announcements of new capacity have tripled year-over-year. This rapid expansion is not only reshaping skylines but also redefining how security must be integrated into these massive, high-speed projects.

With compressed timelines and complex systems, early and continuous collaboration between security consultants and integrators has become essential. Security is no longer a last-minute checkbox—it must be baked into the DNA of the project from the outset. Speed-to-market pressures mean there’s no room for redesigns or misaligned handoffs. Security system complexity has grown, with integrated platforms like video analytics, biometrics, and real-time monitoring requiring tighter coordination. Functional knowledge must flow between teams to ensure systems are implemented correctly and aligned with operational needs.

This urgency calls for a mindset shift: security must evolve from a compliance-driven cost to a strategic value-add. When engaged early, security can directly support operations, improve tenant experiences, and enhance scalability and sustainability. Integrated systems can assist with contractor tracking, access automation, and real-time facility metrics. For colocation environments, seamless, smart security systems can become a tenant retention tool. Modular and future-proofed designs reduce long-term costs and support emerging technologies like AI and edge computing.

As budgets tighten and scrutiny increases, owners are asking harder questions about ROI. Security must demonstrate its worth beyond protection—by contributing to efficiency, resilience, and even aesthetics. In today’s market, where facilities are often built in urban or visible areas, security infrastructure must blend with architecture, comply with regulations, and align with branding goals. This requires early collaboration with architects and designers to integrate security into the facility's physical and visual identity—making it functional, compliant, and unobtrusive.

Ultimately, the success of modern data center projects hinges on proactive, early partnerships. Consultants and integrators who engage with one another and with project teams from the start can shape systems that support broader goals—from uptime and compliance to design intent and operational efficiency. Those who wait until the end risk delays, rework, and missed opportunities for value.

The core message is clear: in a high-speed, high-stakes construction landscape, security must stop playing catch-up and start leading from the front. That begins not with specs and drawings, but with relationships. Build those first—and the systems will follow.

Find the full article here.

Is Software House positioning the iSTAR panel as a stand-alone controller?

That question recently came up in our Access Control Executive Brief member Slack channel, and it sparked some great discussion. Naturally, Lee went straight to the source to get a clear answer.

Lee connected with Rick Focke and Clark Harbaugh from the Software House team and had a detailed conversation about where the iSTAR panel fits into their broader strategy. They shared some interesting insights.

Conversations like this are a great reminder of just how quickly our industry is evolving. Access control is no longer just about keeping unauthorized people out—it’s becoming a cornerstone of smart building strategies, integrated security ecosystems, and a growing $100B market. Understanding where key players like Software House are headed helps all of us stay ahead of the curve.

To watch the full conversation, become a member.

Below are the highlighted jobs and companies this week. New jobs are bolded.

• Preventia Security 

  - Regional Sales Manager - South - apply here

  - Director of Sales - apply here

• Lockmasters, Inc. - VP of Specialty Door Division - apply here

• EyeOTmonitor - Account Executive - apply here

• HID Global 

  - Senior Product Manager, Government Solutions-North America – apply here

  - Product Manager, Mercury Controllers – apply here

  - Senior Product Manager, Readers – apply here

  - Senior Product Manager, Biometric Readers – apply here

  - Senior Software Engineer Java – apply here
  -Pre-Sales Consultant – apply here
  -Staff Engineer – apply here
  -Channel Account Manager DACH – apply here
  -End User BDM - Emerging Technologies – apply here
  -Director of Quality – apply here
  -Director of Product Management - Readers – apply here
  -Sales Development Representative – apply here
  -Product Manager, Credentials – apply here
  -Business Development Leader, Controller Apps – apply here

• Kastle - Project Manager, Implementations - apply here