HID Global pinpoints key security and identity trends for 2022

With more than 30 years of powering and protecting the physical and digital identities of the world’s people, places and things, HID Global is in a somewhat unique position to identify key enablers, disruptive events and game-changing developments that will shape the security landscape this year.

As such, the company has highlighted seven key topics: supply chain issues, sustainability, SaaS-delivered identities, digital IDs, the future of work, contactless biometrics and data science.

Supply chain issues

Supply chain issues will continue to be a dominating security trend, making 2022 a year when the industry must be creative. Semiconductor shortages, global logistics bottlenecks and corresponding cost increases will impact everything from readers and control panels through to sensors and detectors.

Sustainability

The past year has demonstrated a growing consensus that end users demand to work with suppliers that make sustainability a cornerstone of their business decisions and operations. In 2022, the focus on sustainability will grow, driving suppliers to increase the focus on digital solutions, including end-to-end mobile and multi-application technologies that reduce the industry’s footprint.

SaaS-delivered identities

Digital transformation has brought with it a move to cloud deployments and service models, providing opportunities to manage access control for applications, physical assets and data, while new form factors enable seamless and trusted authentication. As ‘digital-first’ mandates continue to impact the security landscape, 2022 will see SaaS-delivered identities become not just the norm, but the expectation.

Digital IDs

Digital wallet adoption is at an all-time high. Big technology companies are increasing new credential functionality in applications. Enterprises and Governments are adding new infrastructure to support digital transactions. In 2022, there will be a tipping point for digital IDs to outpace physical ones, while digital services will play a vital role as suppliers organise around service models and service-led growth.

Future of work

Hybrid work models are the norm today and a zero trust approach for all is a top trend dominating the security industry in 2022. Leaders tasked with ensuring a safe environment for those returning to the office – and secure identity and access management for those working remotely – are looking to the latest physical access trends and the Best Practice that enables them. Touchless solutions, data protection and visitor management technologies are ensuring healthy and secure on-site environments, while multi-factor authentication solutions take centre stage for remote applications.

Contactless biometrics

Biometrics are already in widespread use, whether it’s to secure a mobile device, secure a driver’s license or other Government ID or to track fitness. In 2022, biometrics paired with cloud-based identity management solutions are poised to fuel much faster growth. Security’s role in delivering biometric technology that enables secure authentication and protects data privacy is emerging across sectors of the economy.

Data science

The combination of the Internet of Things, cloud and mobile technologies is steadily driving digital transformation across the security industry. Balancing protection against the potential of new physical and digital cyber security threats has moved data science into the spotlight, as discussion turns from risk mitigation and prevention to threat prediction and aversion.

In 2022, Artificial Intelligence and machine learning will become more tightly woven into the fabric of trusted identity solutions across the physical and digital continuum, subsequently automating and optimising performance, accuracy, safety and security.

By understanding how each of these developments are forecasted to shape the industry, security professionals will be better prepared to capitalise on breakthrough innovations in solutions and services, ultimately delivering a higher level of security across the physical and digital realms.