The access control and identity management industry has been the cornerstone of organisations of all sizes for decades. SMART Security Solutions asked local integrators and distributors about the primary trends in the access and identity market for 2026.

SMART Security Solutions summarises the key points dealing with modern cyber risks facing access control systems, from Mercury Security’s white paper “Meeting the Challenges of Cybersecurity in Access Control: A Future-Ready Approach.”

When it comes to Access Control as a Service (ACaaS), most organisations (roughly 90% internationally) plan to move, or are in the process of moving to the cloud, but the majority of existing infrastructure (about 70%) remains on-premises for now.

Securing access control technology is critical for physical and digital security. Every interaction between readers, controllers, and host systems creates a potential attack point for those with nefarious intent.

In a threat landscape characterised by sophisticated syndicates, harsh environmental conditions, and unstable power grids, a static barrier is no longer a defence; it is merely a brief delay.

Zero Trust Architecture enforces the rule of ‘never trust, always verify’. It changes an organisation’s security posture by assuming that threats exist both inside and outside the perimeter, and it applies to information and physical security.

After so many years of offering alternatives to card technology for access control, one could be forgiven for assuming we are all using biometrics or mobile credentials for all our physical and digital access requirements.

SMART Security Solutions spoke with Check Point's Hendrik de Bruin about the report, the risks African organisations face, and some mitigation measures.

While Centurion Systems may be known as a leader in gate and door motors in 72 countries, the company has developed more than hardware and now offers an automation ecosystem for access control security.