Latest Insights on Access Control Devices Predictions for 2025
### Title: Mercury Report Reveals Transformative Impact of Cybersecurity, Edge Computing, and IoT on Access Control
Recent research by Mercury Security, a leading provider of access control solutions, has shed light on the profound changes being wrought by advancements in cybersecurity, edge computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT) within the physical access control systems (PACS) sector.
The report, which polled over 450 security professionals across Europe and North America, highlights how these technologies are not only enhancing security but also enabling new levels of adaptability, reliability, and integration in access control.
### A Security-First Mindset
The survey results reveal that nearly 90% of respondents now consider compliance with cybersecurity standards as essential when selecting access control solutions, reflecting a heightened awareness of digital threats in a connected world. Advanced cybersecurity features, such as secure boot, Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP), and strong cryptography, are top priorities for over 71% of professionals. These technologies help protect controllers from unauthorized access, firmware tampering, and data breaches.
### The Role of Edge Computing and IoT
Edge computing enables access controllers to process data locally, reducing latency and dependence on central servers. This local intelligence supports real-time decision-making, which is critical for time-sensitive security responses. The proliferation of IoT devices allows access controllers to integrate with a broader ecosystem of sensors, cameras, and smart locks, leading to more granular access control, adaptive security policies, and improved monitoring capabilities.
Over half (52%) of respondents identified cloud enablement as critical, enabling remote management, scalability, and real-time monitoring. Combined with edge and IoT, this creates a hybrid architecture that balances local processing with centralized oversight.
### Prioritizing Reliability and Future-Proofing
Reliability and uptime were ranked as the most important criteria by 63% of those surveyed—outweighing even cost or feature set. This reflects the mission-critical nature of access control systems in modern enterprises. Interoperability, thanks to Mercury’s commitment to open architecture, ensures that access controllers can interoperate with leading security software and solutions, supporting long-term system adaptability and integration with emerging technologies.
### Key Trends and Impacts
| Technology | Impact on Access Control | Survey Highlight | |--------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | Cybersecurity | Mandatory compliance with standards; advanced protections (secure boot, OSDP, crypto) | 90% see compliance as essential; 71% cite advanced features[1] | | Edge Computing | Local data processing, faster response, reduced latency | Enables real-time, autonomous decision-making[3] | | IoT | Integration with sensors, cameras, smart devices; richer monitoring & control | Supports broader, more adaptive ecosystems[3] | | Cloud Integration | Remote management, scalability, real-time analytics | 52% see cloud enablement as critical[1] | | Reliability | Uptime and system stability prioritized over cost | 63% rank reliability as most important[1] |
### Conclusion
The Mercury survey underscores that cybersecurity, edge computing, and IoT are not just incremental improvements but foundational shifts in access control technology. These advancements are driving a security-first culture, enabling smarter and more connected systems, and raising the bar for reliability and interoperability. As a result, access controllers are becoming strategic platforms that underpin the resilience and agility of modern security infrastructures.
The report's implications are significant for businesses and organizations seeking to enhance their security measures. By embracing these transformative technologies, they can stay ahead of evolving threats and ensure the protection of their assets in an increasingly interconnected world.
In light of the transformative Mercury Report, it is clear that cybersecurity and technology are playing a pivotal role in reshaping access control systems. Nearly 90% of security professionals prioritize compliance with cybersecurity standards, emphasizing the importance of advanced features like secure boot, OSDP, and strong cryptography. Moreover, edge computing and IoT are enabling fast data processing, real-time decision-making, and the integration of a broader ecosystem of devices, resulting in more adaptive access control systems.
