Year-end Review: Looking Back and at What’s to Come for the Industry

Can you believe that it’s already the last month of the year? 

As we quickly approach 2020, this is a great time to reflect on how the predicted industry trends for 2019 played out and what we can expect to see moving forward into next year and beyond.

The intrusion and access control trends that we experienced this year were very similar in nature, with both markets seeing significant growth by way of one key element: innovation. The technology and solution advancements of the last 12 months were centered around increased connectivity, communication and mobility in an effort to make access control and intrusion security more efficient and streamlined.

At the beginning of 2019, we anticipated that these qualities would be made possible through the use of cloud-based solutions, and we’ve certainly seen that prediction come true. The cloud has been an anchor for the development and widespread use of the Internet of Things (IoT), smart devices and remote monitoring, all of which allow users to quickly and easily access the security data they need to enhance situational awareness and incident response.

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, organizations 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.

It’s safe to say that all of this year’s major trends will continue to impact the access control and intrusion industries 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 organizations of the future.

More specifically, we can expect to see the concept of smart technology revolutionize 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, we can’t talk about increased connectivity without mentioning cybersecurity. A natural parallel consequence of the convenience of the IoT and smart devices is a significant demand for the incorporation of cybersecurity practices into physical security systems, which will only continue to be paramount as we transition into the new year and for years to come.

The team here at Vanderbilt is proud to have had a successful 2019 alongside an industry that showed considerable growth and progress. We look forward to the innovative trends that will impact 2020 and we wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year!