Identity convergence “drives new focus” on trust and protection

Based on insights from upwards of 1,500 security and IT professionals, end users and industry partners alike, the research shows that security leaders are focused on how to manage identities in ways that build trust, strengthen protection and preserve user choice across what are now increasingly converged physical and digital environments.

“Security leaders are clearly under pressure to modernise access and identity infrastructure, but our in-depth research shows they’re equally focused on the governance, protection and transparency that build lasting trust,” explained Ramesh Songukrishnasamy, senior vice-president and CTO at HID. “The organisations succeeding in 2026 are those giving stakeholders meaningful solution choice, while in parallel maintaining robust security.”

Trends defining the path forward

The report identifies seven key trends that collectively illustrate how trust, protection and choice are reshaping security strategy: 

Identity management now dominates strategic planning

Nearly three-quarters of respondents (73%, in fact) identified identity management as a top priority (the highest category in the study). Organisations are moving beyond standalone credential systems towards unified identity governance that spans physical access and digital systems.

The shift reflects a market-wide consensus: the question is no longer whether to consolidate identity platforms, but rather how to do it in ways that reduce friction, ensure compliance and deliver measurable Return on Investment.

Mobile credentials have reached critical mass

Mobile credentials adoption is now driven by security improvements (50%) rather than convenience (34%): a notable shift as organisations recognise the protection advantages of mobile credentials. Hybrid credential environments remain standard, with 84% of end users maintaining physical credentials within their mobile deployment, directly reflecting diverse user groups and operational needs that require flexibility over time.

Biometrics are expanding beyond MFA into core access control

Biometric technologies continue to gain traction (45% of those professionals surveyed view them as strategic), with fingerprint (71%) and facial recognition (50%) leading modalities. Ethical and privacy concerns more than doubled year-over-year from 31% to 67%. This is driving organisations to implement safeguards and reinforces the need for transparency and compliance during deployment.

Real-time location solutions are moving into mainstream use cases

Real-time location solutions (RTLS) adoption continues to expand, particularly so in the realms of healthcare, manufacturing and logistics. Circa 42% of end users identify RTLS as a strategic priority, while 40% report active deployments.

Barriers do persist, though. Costs (33%), privacy concerns (29%) and integration complexity (29%) slow progress, while 38% of partners report that customers remain unfamiliar with RTLS capabilities, signalling substantial education needs.

Physical and digital identity convergence accelerating

Unified identity solutions are moving into the mainstream, with 75% of organisations either having deployed (29%) or actively evaluating (46%) such solutions. While single credentials spanning buildings, networks and applications deliver efficiency and stronger security, budget constraints (51%), complexity (37%) and expertise gaps (34%) remain persistent barriers. 

RFID adoption continues to grow steadily

RFID is now infrastructure, not innovation. RFID adoption is growing steadily, with 54% of respondents reporting active use for asset tracking, inventory management and loss prevention. Once viewed as a niche technology, RFID is now increasingly treated as being core infrastructure for asset visibility, inventory control and operational intelligence. Security leaders cite faster tracking (62%) and improved visibility (41%) as key benefits. 

Investment patterns are shifting decisively towards integrated platforms

The era of point solutions is ending. Organisations are prioritising integrated identity and security platforms over standalone point solutions in order to improve visibility, efficiency and resilience across increasingly complex environments. Integration complexity persists as the primary barrier (52% for identity systems, 37% for physical-digital convergence). 

Ethics and privacy concerns 

Beyond individual technology trends, the HID report highlights a defining concern for 2026: ethical considerations and privacy concerns are at an all-time high. For biometrics, 67% of end users have expressed high or moderate concern about ethical and privacy implications. Alongside location tracking and converged identity platforms, organisations are navigating the tension between stronger protection and individual rights.

Many respondents report actively developing policies, governance frameworks and technical controls to address these concerns, signalling a broader maturity in terms of how security decisions are made.

What sets the 2026 report apart is the increasing depth and diversity of its data. Responses reflect a wide range of industries, including healthcare, education, Government, finance, manufacturing and critical infrastructure, with perspectives from both end users and the partners who design, deploy and support security systems. This dual perspective provides insights into where strategy aligns with execution and also where gaps remain.

The end result is a report that provides a clear snapshot of how businesses are making decisions under real operational constraints. For security and IT leaders, it offers a grounded view of how peers are prioritising investment, addressing risk and preparing for a future where identity sits at the centre of trust.

*Access the full 2026 State of Security and Identity Report online at www.hidglobal.com