Volume 28 | August 1, 2025

This Weeks Featured Articles & Media

Kevin Spagone | Confidentially Speaking…
Confidential job seekers, like Derek Jeter in his personal life, navigate career moves with discretion, relying on trusted mentors to explore unlisted, high-impact roles without risking their current positions. These top performers aren’t actively job hunting but are open to strategic opportunities that align with their long-term growth and value.

Ivan Kravchenko | What U.S. Access Vendors Need to Succeed in the European Market
U.S. access control providers expanding into Europe must adapt to the region’s reliance on offline systems and OSS-SO, an open standard ensuring interoperability between devices. Without OSS-SO compliance and a shift toward offline-ready, open solutions, cloud-first offerings risk being disqualified from European tenders.

The Access Control Collective x acre security | Access the Future Episode 5 - The Evolution of Data and AI in Physical Security
In this episode, Lee Odess and Jeff Groom discuss AI in depth, along with what it really takes to begin implementing it in the physical security and access control industry.

The Access Control Collective x RX Global | West to East Episode 3: The Trade Show Shift: Strategy, Experience and the Future of ISC
In Episode 3 of West to East, Lee Odess chats with Jordan Tuchband, SVP at RX, about the evolving landscape of trade shows like ISC. They discuss the growing emphasis on experience-driven design, data-informed strategies, and personalized engagement—highlighting how the industry must adapt to meet the changing expectations of both exhibitors and attendees.

The Access Control Collective | ACS LATAM
The Access Control Collective is heading to Sǎo Paula for ACS LATAM 2025. In collaboration with Google and support from HID & ASSA ABLOY, this event is the place to be. 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 the first conference dedicated to marketers in built environment technology and security, bringing together industry leaders for a full day of insight, innovation, and connection in New York City.

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

Find them all below!

I’m a baseball guy- and although it may be a bit polarizing- especially here in the Northeast- Whenever I discuss the topic of confidential searches, I can’t resist bringing up Derek Jeter, the Hall of Fame shortstop from the New York Yankees. Now, I could go on all day about his opposite-field hitting, underrated defense and clutch ability to almost always come through in a big spot- But what really impressed me about his career was his ability- as a very- ahem- active bachelor, to stay out of -and rise above- personal drama in a very public life as the most recognizable athlete in New York city for twenty years...Did I mention the bachelor part?

Derek Jeter kept his personal business on the DOWN LOW. And handled
himself with class.

So what does that have to do with filling the most critical roles in your
organization discreetly? Everything.

Confidential job seekers are not ‘seeking’ anything. They’re simply talented and sought after...Just like Jeter wasn’t “Just out there looking for Ms. Right”, people exploring new roles without alerting their current employer or network often turn to one or two close personal mentors for smart, strategic reasons:

Discretion & Privacy

All critical roles are interdependent- The most qualified are typically the
ones who will have deep roots both inside and outside of their
organizations. They remain focused on day-to-day needs of their direct
reports, peers, technology partners, customers and many others whose lives they impact both directly and indirectly...They’re often seeking a shield between themselves and the open market. Everyone’s situation is different, but many with deep influence must avoid being seen on public platforms. They look to target opportunities discreetly, without risking internal fallout. If they begin to passively (possibly...maybe) make a move, they typically share their intent one-on-one with a trusted mentor who knows the space and understands why their skill set is unique. And to where it may be portable.

Access to Unlisted (Hidden) Roles

Many of the best roles — especially senior, specialized, or executive ones — aren’t posted publicly. Many are curated with a specific individual’s unique skill set in-mind...They’re bespoke. It’s a tired narrative that a place may be “bad” or “going downhill” when you see a key team member depart. But most often, that individual is going to something...Not running from something. Just like the aforementioned shortstop isn’t ‘running’ from the most recent supermodel.

The most talented confidential candidates appreciate being connected to
off-market opportunities, often being vetted for confidential employer
searches (e.g., replacing someone). Many startups or stealth companies are not ready to announce hiring plans, but opportunistically are always building their bench.

Efficiency

When someone is employed, they usually don’t have the time to apply to
dozens of roles or pour over their résumé and cover letter at a granular
level while chasing down recruiters or hiring managers, grinding through
application black holes and slow HR pipelines.

They see their skill set as the destination for employers and typically
curated roles aligned with their goals find them throughout their career. Often having someone advocate for them directly to hiring teams.

Market Insight & Negotiation Support

Confidential seekers want a move that’s worth the risk and they typically
have trusted career mentors who help them benchmark their compensation against the market. Often, they seek coaching on positioning and messaging to negotiate salary and perks without making them look greedy.

Career Strategy, Not Just a Job Search

Confidential top performers are usually not desperate to leave their current role, but they continuously seek better alignment and growth...It’s not a binary decision in their mind. They’re wired to consistently achieve and grow.

Former bosses, colleagues, recognized leaders in industry associations and media, or executive recruiters (especially senior or niche ones) often act like career agents, helping candidates make thoughtful, long-term moves in a discrete, professional way.

If you are a U.S. access control solution provider considering expansion into Europe, I have a warning for you: your cloud-first, mobile-credential-ready solution might not be competitive in this market. In fact, it might not even make it through the first round of a public Request for Proposal (RFP).

Why? Because Europe relies heavily on offline access control systems. In this model, access rights and audit logs are stored directly or temporarily on the user’s badge, whereas the badge serves as a swing between the management software and the locks: the so-called Network-on-Card principle. This approach may be familiar to some U.S. security professionals from campus or healthcare deployments, using dormakaba’s or Salto’s wireless locks.

In Europe, offline access control is widely adopted across hospitals, schools, government buildings, and universities. These systems rely on an open standard called Open Security Standards - Standard Offline (OSS-SO), which defines a common credential format that ensures offline locks from different manufacturers can interpret and use the same data.

OSS-SO compliance, verified through formal certification, plays a role in the European market similar to how SIA’s Open Supervised Device Protocol Verified (OSDP) mark supports reader and controller compatibility in the US. This certification indicates that a product has been tested to a shared standard and can work predictably with other certified components.

CoreWillSoft works closely with solution providers to create and adapt offerings for the European market. As part of this work, we are partnering with the OSS Association, a European organization that promotes open standards in physical access control, to establish a certification process for OSS-SO. This process includes a practical set of test suites designed to evaluate how readers, updaters (readers that can write updated access rights and log data back onto the badge), configuration tools, and host systems behave within an offline ecosystem.

Why does this matter to you? Because more and more European RFPs or so-called tenders require OSS-SO compliance. That means if you want to sell into the German public sector or to an Austrian university, a Dutch hospital, or an Irish Airport, your locks, cards, or software must demonstrate compatibility with the ecosystem.

Looking ahead, OSS-SO's influence might not stay limited to Europe. With growing interest in open standards and vendor-agnostic infrastructure across the physical security industry, OSS-SO could also catch on in the U.S., especially in utilities, residential and school environments where offline reliability is still key.

To sum up, if you are serious about expanding across the Atlantic, offline access control and OSS-SO are where you start. More importantly, it is a mindset shift: toward openness, interoperability, and thoughtful support for offline conditions that still define real-world access control. The earlier you adopt this thinking, the easier it is to enter the European
market.

Episode 5 of Access the Future is now live: The Evolution of Data and AI in Physical Security. The conversation continues with Acre Security and The Access Control Executive Brief, this time spotlighting Jeff Groom, Director of AI Engineering at Acre. Recognized for his forward-thinking approach long before AI became a buzzword, Jeff brings deep experience spanning semiconductors, autonomous vehicles, and physical security. In this episode, he shares practical insights on how to approach AI with intention — emphasizing the importance of starting small, understanding your data, and clearly defining the problem you're trying to solve. As he puts it, AI built for headlines won’t get you far, but AI built with purpose is what truly shapes the future. In the rapidly shifting landscape of school security, the role of advanced sensor technologies continues to grow in both importance and complexity. With the rise of new threats and heightened awareness of student safety, schools are turning to a variety of sensors, detectors, and real-time alert systems to supplement their physical security strategies.

YouTube link to episode - click here

Podbean link to episode - click here

In the third episode of West to East, host Lee Odess is joined by Jordan Tuchband, Senior Vice President at RX, for a deep dive into the changing dynamics of trade shows—specifically the evolution of ISC. As traditional trade show models face pressure to remain relevant, the conversation focuses on how events are being reimagined to meet modern professional expectations. From redefining the attendee experience to incorporating data-driven insights and personalization, the episode explores how organizers and exhibitors alike must pivot their strategies to create meaningful, value-rich experiences that go beyond the booth.

Podbean link to episode - click here

We’re heading to São Paulo! Registration is now open for ACS LATAM 2025, taking place October 21–22 at Google’s LATAM HQ. For the first time, ACS is bringing its flagship event to Latin America—convening 150 leaders in access control, identity, and digital infrastructure. This invite-only gathering will feature strategic insights into LATAM’s fast-evolving markets, plus deep dives into mobile, cloud, and software-driven access control. Expect real conversations, cross-sector collaboration, and a clear view of where the region’s digital future is headed. If LATAM is part of your roadmap, this is the room to be in.

Registration link here—seats are limited!

Bloxspring and The Access Control Collective are headed to New York for RAMP 2025. We realized that there are no events out there for marketers in built environment technology and security. Join us Thursday, October 16, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM in New York City for a full day of insight, inspiration, and community building. RAMP is more than just a conference — it’s a platform for change. Expect engaging talks from visionary speakers, deep dives into the latest strategies and tools, and real conversations about the future of marketing in our rapidly evolving industry.

Whether you're a seasoned marketing leader or just starting to navigate the world of built environment tech, RAMP is designed to equip you with the ideas, connections, and energy you need to move your work — and the industry — forward.

Sign up to be a part of this amazing event. Click here to register.

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

• EyeOTmonitor - Account Executive - apply here

• KIWI.KI GmbH - Mid-Level Fullstack Developer - apply here

• Triton - Regional Sales Manager - Southeast - 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