The systems that last and bring the most value in security are the ones that are designed to change, reports Nedap.
When AEOS launched in 2000, it was the first web-based physical access control platform at a time when many systems were standalone, site-specific and hardware-driven.
As we mark the quarter-century milestone for AEOS, we are looking back at how the industry and the technologies serving it have changed – and what this has revealed about security systems that can stay the distance.
One of the most influential changes for security over the last 25 years is the growing expectation that systems work together seamlessly.
Physical access control must operate in connected ecosystems that feature everything from CCTV to biometrics and from HR software to identity management.
And, as organisations have scaled, they’ve expected technologies, including physical access control, to follow suit and scale with them – to enable central control while maintaining local relevance.
There’s also been a critical shift in how security decisions are made, with a move towards a people-first, strategic approach. So, it’s about how physical access control can support people in their work and day-to-day lives.
And, on a macro level, how physical access control can support organisational goals and business continuity, while easing the increasing pressures of complexity and compliance.
Looking back, what have we learned about what it takes to build systems that stay relevant over time, and contribute strategically and to the bottom line? Here’s what we think are the most important lessons:
Openness is not optional
When we review how the demands on access control have changed over the last 25 years, it’s clear that closed systems create long-term limitations.
Over time, organisations inevitably need to integrate new technologies and connect systems across sites.
And, closed systems restrict the opportunities for this, creating silos and vendor lock-in whilst increasing costs and complexity.
If it’s difficult to scale and integrate technologies, workarounds and custom fixes are often the answer, but rarely a sustainable one.
Systems built on open architecture make integrations much easier and more effective. This gives you the flexibility to make adaptations as needs evolve and enables you to develop powerful and efficient ecosystems.
Security is about identity, not just doors
Traditionally, the focus was on controlling physical access points, like doors. But that approach is inefficient, and even ineffective, when controlling access across distributed sites and assets.
And it doesn’t maximise the functionalities offered by modern systems.
Identity-centric security focuses on the person needing to gain access, linking permissions to their role and needs, as well as the context and risks.
So, it’s not “Who can go through this door?” Instead, it’s, “Who is this person and what should they be able to access – why, where, when and how?”
By flipping it to make identity the foundation and doors the enforcement, you increase control, visibility and security, while also increasing flexibility and convenience and simplifying management.
Flexibility in architecture beats features
For most organisations, security requirements change faster than they can justify replacing their security systems – with drivers for change ranging from growth and relocation to new regulations and technologies.
What seems sufficient initially may be woefully inadequate a few years later.
Systems built around fixed features often need replacing – or large-scale modifications, before they’ve made a satisfactory return on investment – whereas systems built on flexible architecture adapt easily, without requiring heavy investment or causing disruption.
Long-term value is born from how a system adapts rather than how many features it offers, so you can extend and evolve it rather than having to rip it out and replace it.
User experience matters more than ever
If systems are difficult or inconvenient to use, people find workarounds such as bypassing processes, sharing credentials and propping doors open.
This can dramatically increase risk as well as reducing efficiency.
Security must align with how people work and move around today, and it must meet modern expectations for access control that creates minimal friction and enables conveniences like using mobile credentials.
Good UX isn’t a nice to have, it’s a key aspect of effective security – and systems that reflect what users want and need create smoother, safer experiences.
Security is an ongoing process
A security system is not a one-time deployment.
Environments will continue to change for both expected and unexpected reasons.
Systems have to be capable of adapting and updating to support changes.
They must be able to accommodate evolving infrastructures and hybrid environments, and make the most of new technologies, such as cloud and SaaS services, becoming available.
This means that the goal isn’t to create the perfect security system – it’s to continually improve it.
Where do we go from here?
The pressures shaping security today, such as the need to scale, integrate, stay compliant and improve user experience, will continue. And new pressures will arise.
AEOS is as relevant today as it was 25 years ago because it’s kept adapting and evolving and enabling customers to keep reshaping and customising their own systems.
With that in mind, one clear learning to take forward is that the systems that last and bring the most value in security are the ones designed to change.
