The security integration industry is undergoing significant transformation, presenting both challenges and opportunities for integrators.
With advancements in technologies including artificial intelligence reshaping the definition of secure access control and a growing demand for holistic solutions with open architecture, integrators must adopt forward-thinking strategies to stay ahead of the curve.
This includes embracing data protocol standardization and other innovations that impact the entire security landscape.
To meet these evolving needs, integrators must remain agile. Their role has expanded beyond traditional responsibilities; now, a consultative approach that addresses their clients’ entire security ecosystem is key to success.
This shift emphasizes the importance of understanding and integrating diverse elements of security systems to deliver comprehensive solutions “that just work.”
As 2025 unfolds, several emerging trends are having a substantial impact on the integration industry. These trends not only influence return on investment (ROI) but also create new revenue opportunities for integrators.
By staying informed and adaptable, integrators can leverage these developments to enhance their offerings and achieve greater success.
Emerging Security Integration Technologies and Trends
Wireless Locking Solutions with Open Architecture: Advancements in features and integration capabilities have opened the door to creating smart, interconnected environments. Why is this so important to recognize? These developments are driving the need for open architecture that enables interoperability, flexibility and seamless integration of data across manufacturers and software platforms.
As the world moves toward a wireless lifestyle, integrators should offer solutions that enable all access control systems a client may use to communicate in tandem.
A common misconception about wireless locks is that batteries drain quickly due to increased communication with the network. However, modern locks are designed with energy efficiency in mind, using low-power communication protocols like Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).
Integrators should incorporate devices compatible with multiple integrations into their strategy and collaborate with technology providers, allowing end users to select the access control vendor that best meets their needs. Credential interoperability is equally important, and the best strategy should involve prioritizing this from the outset.
Mobile Credential Adoption: Consider your own daily life. Do you still print a boarding pass, or do you add it directly to your mobile wallet? What about concert tickets? Credit cards? Access control is no different. There is reduced reliance on physical identification (keys, cards and the like) and a growing demand for digital credentials — particularly mobile ones.
Offering mobile credentials provides the convenience of access that requires nothing more than carrying your phone or smart device.
The industry is evolving to support mobile credentials across platforms including Google Wallet and Apple Wallet.
One provider recently announced that its mobile credentials, such as Student ID and Employee Badge, are now available in Google Wallet on Android phones and WearOS by Google smartwatches, the first security solutions provider to offer this.
Beyond convenience, mobile credentials also offer enhanced security compared to traditional plastic cards, thanks to features like biometric authentication, including fingerprint and facial recognition.
Additionally, embracing mobile credentials reduces the need for physical card production and disposal, contributing to sustainability efforts and improving energy efficiency. This shift drives growth within the electronics sector while also creating differentiation and delivering measurable ROI for organizations adopting these solutions.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning
AI is a buzzword in the security industry — and for good reason. It can be integrated into nearly any access control product to enhance functionality. One popular example is predictive maintenance, where devices use historical data to detect wear and tear, or environmental changes (such as temperature changes), to anticipate equipment failures.
This ensures maintenance is performed only when necessary, reducing costs and minimizing downtime.
AI is also increasingly used for behavior and environment analysis. It can detect unusual patterns in real time, assess threat levels and simulate scenarios to predict incidents, allowing time for proactive responses.
Integrators should educate themselves about AI solutions and consider how these tools can be scaled into their business models to add incremental revenue.
Internet of Things (IoT) and Thread
The growing complexity of IoT within security systems is driven by factors that push the industry toward more sophisticated connectivity and interoperability. One key challenge is managing varying protocols and standards that different devices in an access control system require.
The Thread protocol plays a significant role in addressing these complexities. Thread is a low-power, wireless mesh networking protocol designed for IoT devices, enabling robust and reliable connectivity crucial for security systems.
Thread’s mesh network topology allows devices to communicate directly and indirectly, while its low power consumption model makes it ideal for edge devices or those that are battery operated. Additionally, Thread supports IP-based protocols, enabling integration with other IoT devices and systems to achieve interoperability.
IoT solutions often require ongoing monitoring, maintenance and updates. Integrators can offer subscription-based services for system management, remote monitoring and data analytics, creating recurring revenue streams.
IoT can also be integrated with other technologies, allowing integrators to upsell services like home automation, energy management or advanced analytics. Cross-selling complementary products or services further increases revenue.
Cloud-Based and Edge Computing Solutions
Modern access control systems combine cloud-based and edge computing to optimize speed, efficiency and centralized management. Routine access decisions are handled locally at the edge, while the cloud supports centralized updates, data storage and analytics.
This simplifies deployment, reduces onsite visits and lowers operational costs, enabling integrators to serve more clients effectively. These solutions are also scalable, allowing for easy expansion without significant hardware investments.
A major benefit is real-time monitoring, which enhances security and provides actionable insights for both integrators and end users. Clients receive instant notifications for access events, including time, identity (if using credentials) and location, as well as alerts for unauthorized attempts like forced entry or repeated credential failures.
This enables immediate corrective action and improves visitor management by tracking entry and exit times, ensuring policy compliance and enhancing accountability.
Remote monitoring further reduces downtime, boosts operational efficiency and strengthens trust with end users. These capabilities not only enhance security but also increase the value of access control solutions for both integrators and clients.
By leveraging cloud-based and edge technologies, integrators can deliver scalable, reliable systems that meet evolving client needs while driving efficiency and growth.
Cyber and Physical Security Integration
The convergence of cyber and physical security measures is becoming increasingly important, especially with the rise of interconnected devices. The more devices connected to a network, the greater the potential for cyber threats — a vulnerability highlighted during the work-from-home surge that the COVID-19 pandemic brought on.
To address these concerns within IoT ecosystems, the industry is turning to organizations such as the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA). Organizations like this are streamlining communication by standardizing protocols like Matter.
Matter is a unifying, IP-based connectivity protocol that promotes interoperability, secure communication and unified management across IoT devices and access control systems. These standards help organizations create comprehensive security frameworks that tackle the complexities of modern threats, ensuring robust protection for both digital and physical assets.
Integrators should work with organizations whose products adhere to these standards. Standardized protocols simplify installation, reduce technical troubleshooting and improve device compatibility, allowing integrators to focus on delivering value to clients rather than having to resolve compatibility issues.
These standards remove concerns about whether a credential will work with a device or whether the solution will remain viable as technology evolves, providing peace of mind for integrators and end users alike.
Moreover, adopting products built on these standards can improve ROI by streamlining costs — eliminating the need for duplicate systems and processes under a unified infrastructure.
The efficiencies gained through reduced installation time, fewer service calls and enhanced scalability mean integrators can serve more clients, reduce operational expenses and build long-term relationships with customers by offering future-proof solutions.
The Path Forward for Security Integration
As the security landscape continues to evolve, integrators are uniquely positioned to lead the charge in delivering innovative, forward-looking solutions.
By embracing advancements in wireless locking systems, mobile credentials, AI, IoT and cloud-based technologies, integrators can address the growing complexities of modern security while differentiating themselves in a competitive market.
These technologies enable integrators to offer scalable, interoperable solutions that meet diverse client needs, while simultaneously driving operational efficiencies and reducing costs.
The adoption of standardized protocols and the convergence of cyber and physical security measures provide integrators with the tools to deliver seamless, unified systems that enhance both security and user experience.
By leveraging these innovations, they can create new revenue streams, improve ROI and build long-term relationships with clients who value reliability, scalability and sustainability.
The future of security integration is one of growth, transformation and possibility. By staying nimble, innovative and customer-focused, integrators can adapt to this changing landscape and thrive — delivering cutting-edge solutions that redefine the standards of security and that build lasting value for their businesses and their clients alike.
Carly Griffin is brand and solutions marketing manager at Allegion | Electronic Locks.
