Hikvision is revolutionizing Access Control with its latest innovations

In 2025, the access control market is completing its transformation from a hardware-centric business focused on locks and card readers to a Software-Defined Ecosystem (SDE). This shift is moving security from isolated "silos" to unified platforms that orchestrate entire smart building operations.

The following key trends define this movement toward software-driven environments:

1. Platform Economy and Recurring Revenue

Shift from Products to Subscriptions: Value capture has moved from one-time hardware sales to recurring software revenue and cloud subscriptions.

Sticky Ecosystems: Manufacturers now focus on building integrated software platforms (e.g., Hikvision's HikCentral or ICT's open platforms) that offer deep integration, making them "stickier" than individual hardware products.

2. Cloud-Native and Hybrid Architectures

Centralized Management: Cloud-based systems are the dominant trend in 2025, allowing security teams to manage multiple global sites from a single remote platform.

Hybrid Cloud Bridge: Many organizations use hybrid models to modernize, keeping sensitive data on-premise while leveraging cloud software for analytics and remote operations.

3. Convergence of Physical and Digital Identity

Building Identity Graph: Access control is evolving into a map of "people, permissions, and building services".

IT/Security Integration: Physical security systems are increasingly managed by IT platforms like Microsoft and ServiceNow, integrating physical access into the broader Enterprise Identity and Access Management (IAM) stack.

Cyber-Physical Defense: Integrated software logs now cross-reference physical entry data with cybersecurity events to detect insider threats.

4. AI and Data-Driven Orchestration

Proactive Security: AI and machine learning analyze vast data streams from access logs and video feeds to detect anomalies, such as unusual after-hours behavior, and trigger automated lockdowns.

Operational Intelligence: Software-defined systems use occupancy data to automate building functions like HVAC and lighting, optimizing energy efficiency based on real-time presence.

5. Transition to Wallet-Native Credentials

Mobile Ecosystems: The market is shifting from proprietary apps to wallet-native credentials embedded directly in Apple and Google Wallets.

Interoperability: New communication standards like Aliro are being developed to create a universal protocol between mobile devices and readers, further breaking down hardware proprietary barriers.

6. Modular and Software-Flexible Hardware

Hardware Agnostic: Modern hardware is increasingly modular, allowing for software-driven updates to add features like QR code reading or face recognition without replacing the entire terminal.

Web-Based Management: Second-generation professional hardware now features native web management, reducing the need for heavy local installations.

The market research agency Research and Markets estimates the global biometric authentication market will reach around $ 8.8 billion in 2026, growing at a CAGR of 16.3%. Biometric technologies – like iris and palm recognition – have made significant strides, becoming increasingly applicable in high-security environments. They provide superior security compared to traditional or pure face recognition access control systems, remarkably reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

Hikvision is revolutionizing Access Control with its latest innovations, embracing a software-defined ecosystem. Its second-generation professional access control products boast advanced features like web management, flexible authentication, and converged security solutions. This shift enables seamless integration with video security, intercom, and alarm systems, providing a unified security solution.

With the overwhelming response to MinMoe face recognition terminal series, Hikvision has been at the forefront of biometric innovation, now offering more advanced biometric access control solutions including iris recognition terminal, face & palm recognition terminal to bolster access control security. These technologies make biometric access systems more versatile and reliable. Hikvision is leveraging biometric technologies like iris and palm recognition for enhanced security.

 By - Aaradhay Sharma