Vanderbilt anticipated that these qualities would be made possible through the use of cloud-based solutions, and the cloud has been an anchor for the development and widespread use of the Internet of Things (IoT), smart devices and remote monitoring. Now, the company predicts that all of the 2019 major trends will continue to impact the access control and intrusion industries in 2020, with the addition of the essential cyber security measures needed for physical security systems to stay safe.

In line with this desire for elevated efficiency, 2019 also saw the highly anticipated trends of biometric readers and mobile credentials take off. Through either fingerprints or Bluetooth technology, organisations can now create a fast and seamless entry experience for employees or visitors, and they can also see benefits themselves through the ability to efficiently communicate with the system and quickly determine whether any vulnerabilities or potential threats exist.

Vanderbilt suggests that in 2020, technology will continue to evolve based on the demands of our “smart” world, and customer expectations for performing tasks at their fingertips will shape the way that security is implemented in the organisations of the future.

More specifically, the company expects to see the concept of smart technology revolutionise the versatility of access control and intrusion systems when it comes to integrating them for purposes outside of security. The creation of smart buildings will involve incorporating data management platforms, such as event and building management software, with existing systems to improve energy efficiencies and operations.

And of course, there cannot be a discussion about increased connectivity without mentioning cyber security. A natural parallel consequence of the convenience of the IoT and smart devices is a significant demand for the incorporation of cyber security practices into physical security systems, which will only continue to be paramount as we transition through the new year and for years to come.