Digitalisation of Access Control: Current Status and Outlook

Access control systems play a crucial role in securing buildings and managing access within the realm of security technology. As digitalisation progresses, you might be wondering: How advanced is Germany in adopting digital access control, and what can we expect in the future?

In the September 2024 issue of Protector, there was an insightful interview with Michael Stuer from Portier. He explores the current landscape of digital access control in Germany in depth. Spoiler alert: We’re making progress, but there’s still loads of untapped potential!

So, How Digital Are We Right Now?

According to Michael Stuer, Germany has made good progress in access control, especially in high-security areas like industries and public buildings. Many government and industrial buildings now use modern systems that combine biometric recognition with digital keys. Pretty cool, right? But here’s the kicker: Michael notes that Germany still has a lot of catching up to do compared to other countries. Data shows that Germany is behind countries like the Netherlands and Scandinavian nations when it comes to adopting smart locks and mobile credentials.

“The German market displays an interesting mix of digital progress and traditional approaches,” Stuer sums up in his interview with Protector.¹

He stresses that Germany needs to keep up with innovation. His tip? Companies should invest more in cloud-based systems and IoT technologies. Even more traditional firms are starting to show interest in cloud solutions for the coming year.

Backing this up, a report by Assa Abloy from 2021 indicates that companies plan to increasingly adopt mobile credentials and cloud solutions in the coming years. These technologies not only offer convenience, security, and flexibility but also enable better integration of security and building management systems.²

What Hurdles Are We Facing?

A major issue Stuer touches is the challenge of updating old analogue access systems to fit into new digital infrastructures. He notes that while many companies are open to digital transformation, the process often stalls because existing systems are complex and often times not compatible with new technologies. To fix this, we needcollaboration between manufacturers and service providers to create “seamless solutions” that can easily integrate into current setups.

“Upgrading to a digital access system is often associated with modernizing building infrastructure, which typically involves significant effort and cost. Therefore, a digital access system must be able to integrate with minimal impact on the existing infrastructure,” explains Jochen Schurich, co-founder of Tapkey.

The Assa Abloy study also points out that it’s essential for the industry to integrate access control systems with other security and building management functions. According to the study, a whopping 92% of professionals think that having an open architecture, which allows different technologies to work together, is very important.²

What’s in It for Us with Digitalisation?

Going digital brings a heap of benefits that go beyond just automating existing processes. According to Michael Stuer, one major advantage is the greatly improved flexibility and efficiency of modern access control systems. For instance, systems that use mobile authentication allow access rights to be managed and updated in real-time. This makes it easier to handle access in dynamic environments, like flexible workspaces, coworking spaces, or situations where temporary access is needed.

Moreover, digital systems increase transparency by thoroughly documenting all access events. This makes it easier to monitor access and quickly address any security issues. Not only does this cut down on the administrative workload, but it also ups thesecurity ante by allowing for faster detection and prevention of unauthorised access.

How Do We Ensure Security and Data Protection? 

A key part of digitalising access control systems is making sure that the tech we sure is secure and that personal data stays protected. In Germany, where data protection laws are very strict, companies must ensure that personal data is safeguarded when they implement digital access systems. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has pushed access control providers to design their systems to meet these high standards.

On this point, Stuer highlights that “high data protection requirements are in place” and stresses that these requirements will remain crucial in the development of new access solutions.

What Can We Expect Moving Forward? 

Wrapping things up, Stuer notes that Germany is on the path to comprehensive digitalisation of access control systems but needs to keep up the momentum to avoid falling behind on the global stage. Investments in cloud solutions, IoT, and collaborations between manufacturers are key to ensuring secure and efficient access control.

“To remain resilient and competitive, the industry should be open to digitalisation and integration, as well as partnerships,” says Michael Stuer.

And what can we say? We couldn’t agree more! Collaborations and strategic partnerships are essential for boosting business outcomes—especially in the access control sector.

Sources:
¹ Protector 09/24: Zutritt und Digitalisierung – wie weit ist Deutschland?:  https://www.protector.de/zutritt-und-digitalisierung-wie-weit-ist-deutschland

² IFSEC Global und ASSA ABLOY: Bericht zur drahtlosen Zutrittskontrolle 2021: Der Schritt zu mehr Komfort mit mobilem Zutritt und integrierten Systemen.