Welcome to Volume 3 of The Security Breakdown!

This week brings fresh perspectives and expert insights from across the security industry. We're thrilled to feature Angie Barnes from "Tales of An Impatient Sales Lady" offering her unique take on industry challenges (no one writes like this and it is super refreshing). Additionally, we welcome Ondřej Vodňanský, Sharry's Head of Sales EMEA (and some who I have gotten to know thanks to LinkedIn. He is creative and brings a great perspective being from proptech), who shares invaluable front-line experiences in his debut article, "The Challenges of Transitioning to Mobile Wallet Credentials." Along with these thought-provoking pieces, I've included key industry updates and analysis to keep you informed of the latest developments.

Our contributor network continues to expand, with exciting new voices joining to share technical deep-dives, market analyses, and practical insights. If you're interested in contributing your expertise to future editions, I'd love to hear from you at lee@leeodess.com.

Here are some quick updates from me:

The AC/MA Summit (NY, USA) Mark your calendar for March 4th as Houlihan Lokey hosts a pioneering half-day summit in New York City, bringing together the access control and financial sectors. This exclusive event unites banking executives, corporate strategists, private equity investors, and venture capitalists for focused networking and knowledge exchange. The carefully curated program features market insights from Houlihan Lokey's Michael Morabito and Justin Abelow , followed by an executive panel with industry leaders from HID, Salto, and Chamberlain discussing corporate development strategies. Investment perspectives will be shared through two dynamic panels: one featuring decision-makers from LLR Partners and Ulysses Management, and another led by Egis Capital Partners' Annie Lan exploring venture capital opportunities. The summit culminates with CEOs from from Kisi, Brivo, and SwiftConnect sharing their firsthand experiences navigating capital markets and scaling their businesses. Get your tickets here. We have about 10 spots left.

ISC West (Las Vegas, NV) I'm excited to announce our return to ISC West and our engagement with the team at RX, where we'll once again serve as the official partner of the AI Discovery Zone—a dedicated space where exhibitors with AI-enabled security solutions can showcase their innovations at no additional cost. Beyond managing this collaborative AI showcase, you’ll see us all over the place including a Business Breakfast, in-booth activations, a new influencer initiative, sponsored events, and several other engaging opportunities to connect with industry leaders and showcase the latest advancements in security technology.

The Security Event (Birmingham, UK) If you are a manufacturer or service provider serving the European market, The Security Event (as it's lovingly known) is the perfect show to showcase your offerings. We've partnered with the show producer, The Nineteen Group, to present the XForum—a thought leadership stage featuring over 60 talks, discussions, and presentations across three days. Surrounding the XForum are 12 "pods," which offer an excellent way to enter the show or establish a local presence if you already have a booth. The pods cost £8,000 and are transacted directly with The Nineteen Group (for clarity: we don't receive any money from pod sales; we're paid separately to activate the XForum, regardless of pod sales). We'll support you with social media and coordination efforts upon signing up. We're currently 50% sold, and I'm eager to fill the remaining pods. As a bonus incentive, any company that secures a pod will receive a complimentary 1:1 long-form podcast with their executive team, which we'll produce at no cost.

ACS25 (San Sebastian, Spain)

The Access Control Summit (ACS) returns for its third landmark year, bringing together 60 confirmed visionaries and decision-makers in an intimate 150-seat gathering. Hosted by SALTO WECOSYSTEM in the picturesque city of San Sebastian, Spain, this exclusive event has established itself as the industry's most influential meeting ground.

The summit's prestigious roster reads like a who's who of access control innovation, featuring executives from global leaders including Dormakaba, Allegion, Google, and Assa Abloy, alongside dynamic disruptors such as Verkada, SwiftConnect, and PassiveBolt. Industry stalwarts from Wesco, AMAG, Nedap, and Gallagher will join forces with cutting-edge solutions providers like AlertEnterprise, Veridas, and CoreWillSoft. The security ecosystem is further strengthened by participation from Intel, Raymond James, SIA, and PSA, creating an unparalleled opportunity for deep industry dialogue and strategic partnership development.

In the intimate setting of San Sebastian, these carefully selected leaders will engage in focused discussions that promise to shape the future of access control technology and forge the partnerships that will define tomorrow's security landscape. Get your tickets here.

PS: I am sure some of you may forward this, but please do so sparingly and encourage others to sign up here. Thank you!

Thank you!

Today marks the beginning of a new adventure here on Security Breakdown. A humble opportunity to add to anything Lee Odess does is like being up for an Oscar in the security world, you may not win it, but you were nominated! That is how I feel beginning this journey and contribution here on The Security Breakdown. Now I would be lying if I didn’t say 2024 was for sure one of my most interesting years, and lordy knows I put it all over LinkedIn, but it had a whole lot of amazingness built in with challenges and change. One of the most wonderful things I discovered during this time was just how many amazing friends and relationships I had built over my long and dusty career. Laughing! Dusty just seems to sound right, doesn’t it? I kinda picture a modern western with a security twist! Ha. Well, we digress don’t we, seriously though, when deciding to make a change in my nineteen yearlong roles, leading the National Sales Team at NAVCO, an amazing company and people,  to my new exciting role as Chief Revenue Officer at Evolon, I learned who was really there for support and guidance when I needed it. This article is definitely not long enough for all the people that reached out and it was for sure overwhelming, but there were a few amazing industry leading woman that really came alongside to offer any help and guidance during this time. 

One of those strategic leaders, industry disruptor and soon to run Google or Meta and do it with the grace and knowledge she has, Maureen Perrelli, or most know her as “Mo”! To know Mo is to love her and her spirit, but also to admire her amazing career not only in security but also as a leader in the technology world in general. She is wicked smart, funny and blessed with authenticity from the moment she meets you. So, when I asked her to participate in my first article, of course she was awesome enough to say Heck yeah! Maybe I embellish that part? Laughing, but she was in! I also had the lucky duck moment of including the equally amazing  and brilliant Julaine Simmon’s, with M.C. Dean. Now listen, I had to sit on a SIA panel with this incredibly well spoken and brilliant lady, and being transparent, was just a bit intimidated! She just knows her stuff so well and is genuine, warm and the kindest person you would want to know. Thankfully, she let me bring the cookies to the lower shelf for my part on the panel and we soon became fast friends. Adore her and her love for our industry as well as seeing all the success she is having on the SIA board of directors, as well as the Secure Building Council. These two woman are kicking exterior parts and taking names, laughing! So, when I wanted to ask, “When in your career did you feel like a SUPERHERO and what superpower did you use?” I wanted to get their perspective, and this is what both Mo and Julaine shared. 

Mo started by letting  me know her version of a superhero and superpower moment by pulling our heartstrings a bit.

The term "superhero" is such a big word, but it got me thinking about the different ways it can apply to everyday life. As I reflect on my career, I realize that every time I take the next step or switch roles, I have been fortunate enough to have incredible professionals in my life who are eager to join me on the next adventure. This speaks volumes to me, because it shows that my teams recognize my commitment to collaboration and that I see my team members as true partners.

However, the real moment that made me think of the word “superhero” wasn’t tied to work—it came when my oldest child was in middle school. As global sales leaders, we often travel extensively, and to my kids, that meant I wasn’t like other moms who were home to put their kids on the bus every day and cook dinner (I’m a terrible cook, by the way). My daughter would often say, “You’re not like most moms,” and for a while, which was hard to hear. Being a mom is something I truly cherish, and I’ve always tried to integrate my kids into my career—whether through travel or showing them the work I do. But the moment that really stuck with me was when my daughter gave a presentation in eighth grade about someone she looks up to. I had just flown in from a trip and rushed to an evening event, unsure of what to expect. To my surprise, her presentation was about me—her mom who works hard for our family and includes her kids in the journey. That moment felt like my true "superpower"—teaching my daughters to be strong, independent women, and passing on that sense of empowerment to them.

Boom, Superhero identified, and superpower used in both teamwork, leadership and being the best darn momma, anyone could ask for. MO, I would sign up for a T-shirt with the letter “M” for you any day. No red tights for me, since I can barely wear Spanx, but I am in for the T-shirt! 

Julaine also shared something equally awesome.

At M.C. Dean, we’re lucky to have incredible women who excel at solving engineering design challenges, optimizing client operations, and transforming complex issues into clear, actionable solutions. I've seen firsthand how our women leaders approach problems with a unique blend of leadership and diverse perspectives that inspire and engage our teams. However, I've also noticed how many women in our organization face the struggle of balancing work and family— especially when they feel the pressure to juggle everything at once.

As a leader, I've learned that it's essential for women to feel supported by their executives, knowing that it’s okay to prioritize family when needed, while still excelling in their careers. My superpower is speaking candidly and with empathy about these challenges. Women shouldn’t have to choose between career success and family life. Instead, we should work together to create an environment that gives the flexibility to thrive.
 
It’s not just about talking about these issues—it’s about taking real, meaningful actions to support our women in the workplace. As women leaders, we’ve been down that road ourselves, and it’s our responsibility to help those who come after us navigate it with confidence and the right support.

Julaine is spot on with the need to give back and support those who today this is a constant and real struggle. When I started my career in security over 30 years ago, their were limited if any organizations that provided woman in leadership training, networking, mentoring and a path for growth. Today, thankfully SIA, ASIS, and many others have created council’s, meetings, and separate organizations that allow us to have a stronger voice together. It also provides a forum to address a variety of issues, work, life, balance being a key one. When you read this, you realize the superpower may just be that priority muscle we all need regardless of being a leader. Priorities can get sidelined as we grow in our careers, so keeping that superpower in check and used often will lead to an amazing life both at home and in the office. Kudos to our resident superhero’s Julaine and Mo! Who continues to help us create the marvel universe of security. 

Yes, moving to mobile credentials in Wallet is undeniably a trend. 

No, this isn’t a piece extolling their virtues and the ROI. Instead, it’s a reality check: while this technology is gaining significant traction—deployed by leading financial institutions, professional services firms, and global enterprises—it comes with its share of challenges. Here’s a distilled look at the hurdles organizations face, based on firsthand conversations with industry leaders.

And by the way, this omits the obvious basics like having to have the necessary HW and infrastructure ready (a major hurdle).

Let’s get to it:

The Number One Concern is Cost.

And not just the upfront one. There are also platform subscriptions, and potential increases in recurring credential costs. As many rush to point out, a physical card might look cheaper than the combined credential subscription, Wallet holder and software cost, at least if only looking at that direct comparison.

Convincing the board requires a compelling ROI case, which requires digging into 2nd and 3rd order consequences (the process and adjacent cost of provisioning and distributing a physical badge vs a digital one).

However, as we heard, organizations will often need to run dual systems (physical and digital) during the transition, doubling operational complexity and expense initially. That’s super important to factor in.

My personal take on this: yes, that’s true. But as Lee Odess says, the pain of transition is temporary.

Balancing Security and Policy

While digital credentials often enhance security, they require a fresh look at policy. Who gets access to what? How do you handle high-security zones? And how do you enforce photo ID or multi-factor authentication in a wallet environment?

The technology has been only recently catching up with what physical badge could do since forever. For example, employee photos are on the roadmap for some platform holders. Others would require an external solution (like an extra app). So if the tech isn’t there yet but the org is keen, then they will require policy overhauls and cross-departmental collaboration.

BYOD, Opt-outs and Privacy Concerns

The big one: employees. Mobile credentials work great—if the employee’s device supports them. In organizations with a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy, this can be a nightmare to standardize. What about employees with older or non-compliant phones? If wallet access isn’t universal, exceptions must be managed, and alternative solutions—like issuing company devices—can quickly erode cost savings.

Furthermore, not everyone will want to use their personal device for company access, often citing privacy concerns. Organizations must prepare for this, either by allowing opt-outs or offering alternatives like physical cards or dedicated devices. Handling these “refusers” sensitively is essential for maintaining employee trust.

Internal Stakeholders

From our discussions, this topic incites interest from around the organization. Typically, it will be driven largely by physical security or corporate real estate and facilities. However, when the responsible executive starts building a case for it internally, what we hear is, suddenly a forest of raised hands appears. Multitude of other stakeholders get involved (or want to): IT, CSec, HR, Operations, obviously legal.

This is another reason why we often see one location deployments first because then, it’s such a big exercise and conversely, once done, it provides a case study for the wider business which is easier to scale.

Change Management

Finally, no transition is seamless without people onboard. Employees need to understand not only how to use mobile credentials but also why the change is happening. Clear communication and comprehensive training are non-negotiable, and organizations must set realistic expectations. Instant, flawless adoption isn’t realistic—gradual rollout and consistent support are key.

The good thing? People are often excited about this if I say so myself…

Additional Considerations

Will the Wallet credentials work across access, lockers, printers and canteen POS like our physical badges (which we invested very heavily into to be able to do that)?

Who will be responsible for the new IT infrastructure? etc.

Final Thoughts: Progress Without Illusion

Mobile wallet credentials are undeniably a trend and a talking point.

I believe many, myself included, romanticize it.

I hope it's clear that switching to wallet credentials isn’t just a simple technology upgrade— it’s a transformation of how organizations manage security, convenience, and trust.

The transition is complex, requiring planning, communication, and investment. However, as more leading organizations successfully make the shift, these challenges are increasingly solvable. By learning from those who’ve already navigated this path, companies can avoid missteps and set themselves up for smoother transitions and reaping the rewards that come after.

Fortunately, there are more and more cases they can learn from.

Would be great to hear your thoughts!

It was a busy week. Here is a rundown.

• Honeywell splits into 3 companies. Here.

• Johnson Controls gets a new CEO. Here.

• ASSA ABLOY Q4 2024 results are out. Here.

• ADRM commercially launches their Defender Managed Services. Here.

• Allegion acquires Next Door Company. Here.

• I asked What Access Control Practices will be Outdated in 5 Years? Here is what Sven Jochmann of AUTEC Gesellschaft für Automationstechnik mbH and Jason Schimpf of HID had to say.

• My insights from my visit with PDQ Industries. Here.

• My view on what our industry is getting wrong with channel programs and mix today titled “5’ Guards and 7’ Centers.” Here.