Inside HID’s 2025 security report: Trends shaping access and identity

HID Global’s latest industry report, 2025 State of Security and Identity, outlines several key trends shaping the future of access control, identity management and security operations. How organizations respond to these shifts may well determine their ability to stay ahead of evolving threats, enhance operational efficiency and seize new business opportunities.

Mobile Credentials and Biometrics

One of the most significant trends identified in HID’s report is the rapid adoption of mobile credentials and biometrics. According to the report, 61% of security leaders identified mobile identity proliferation as a top trend, with nearly two-thirds already deploying or planning to deploy mobile credential solutions. Biometric authentication, particularly fingerprint and facial recognition, is also gaining traction, with 35% of surveyed organizations already using these technologies and another 13% planning implementation.

“An example of a mobile access deployment is the Brazilian corporate space management platform Deskbee, which has integrated HID Mobile Access into its application,” Matt Winn, vice president of communications at HID, tells SecurityInfoWatch. “This allows users to enter facilities using their smartphones or tablets, improving convenience while supporting sustainability initiatives.”

Similarly, biometrics are transforming border security and high-traffic areas. “At Batam Center, one of the busiest international seaports in Southeast Asia, Indonesia Immigration and Seaport Authorities integrated a facial recognition camera and a document reader into the port’s automated border control (ABC) gate. This system has significantly improved efficiency, allowing travelers to clear checkpoints in seconds,” Winn added.

Owen Kell, senior IoT & security research associate at Memoori Research, supports these findings, noting that mobile credentials are expected to grow at a 16.9% CAGR through 2028, driven by touchless access, remote provisioning and mobile-first security ecosystems.

“We found that although biometric authentication is also growing, growth here is at a more measured pace due to privacy concerns, cost and regulatory barriers,” he said. “However, multimodal biometrics (fingerprint + facial recognition) are becoming a preferred approach in more sensitive sectors such as finance, healthcare and enterprise security.”

Kell added industry-specific adoption trends Memoori is observing include:

• Corporate offices and hybrid workplaces: Mobile and cloud-based systems are streamlining access control.
• Healthcare: Touchless authentication and stricter security for restricted zones.
• Education: Campus-wide security with real-time occupancy tracking and lockdown solutions.
• Retail & hospitality: Mobile keys and analytics-driven security enhancements.

Shift Toward Unified Security Management

Another key finding in HID’s report is the increasing adoption of software-driven security management. The report states that 67% of security leaders and 73% of integrators are moving toward unified security platforms, citing enhanced efficiency, scalability and improved incident response as major benefits.

These solutions integrate functions such as video surveillance, access control and intrusion detection into one platform. The trend is fueled by the demand for flexibility and scalability (39%) and the need for easier integration with other systems (19%).

“Industry expectations for unified solutions are now coming into focus,” said Winn. “Users want seamless integration of access control with smart building technologies. They also want to leverage access data for flexible workspace management and building usage monitoring. Mobile access solutions have been a steppingstone toward this convergence.”

Despite its advantages, the transition to unified security management is not without challenges. According to HID’s research, 35% of security leaders cite integration complexity as a major barrier, while 28% point to high implementation costs.

Kell concurs, explaining, “Integration complexity and cost remain two of the biggest hurdles for unified security platforms. With so many legacy systems still running on proprietary protocols, this creates persistent data silos and makes ‘rip-and-replace’ upgrades costly.”

This is especially true, Kell added, in high-security sectors like healthcare and government, where compliance requirements add another layer of difficulty. Memoori is observing organizations tackling this challenge through strategies such as phased upgrades, open standards and API-driven solutions, cloud-based access control and middleware solutions.

This observation is further supported by the 2024 Security Operations Trends Report by Red Canary, which highlights that security leaders are prioritizing investments in integrated security platforms to enhance efficiency and scalability. However, the report also notes that integration complexity and high implementation costs remain significant barriers for many organizations.

AI and Digital Transformation

Artificial intelligence (AI) is another game-changer in the security industry. The HID report reveals that 64% of security leaders are using or planning to implement AI-enabled solutions, with applications ranging from anomaly detection to predictive analytics.

To achieve success, the report states, organizations need to grasp AI’s potential, maintain transparency and collaborate with experienced developers and integrators to enhance their AI strategies.

“AI agents enable real-time anomaly detection, automate routine tasks and facilitate seamless integration as security needs evolve,” Winn explained. He cited healthcare as a prime example of AI-driven security innovations. “Hospitals are using AI-powered surveillance and facial recognition to track individuals moving through facilities, flag unauthorized persons and monitor unusual behavior, helping security teams respond in real time.”

The benefits of AI in security are clear: 50% of organizations reported improved efficiency and speed, 47% highlighted real-time data analysis, and 45% pointed to reduced human error. However, challenges remain, including concerns over AI reliability (35%) and high implementation costs (35%).

Kell also sees AI significantly shaping the future of access control, with potential in areas including anomaly detection, behavioral-based access and predictive security analytics. “Full-scale AI-driven security is still in its early stages,” he noted.

Open Platforms and Interoperability

HID’s report also highlights a growing demand for open platforms, with more than half of security professionals emphasizing the importance of interoperability. Organizations increasingly seek security solutions that integrate easily with third-party systems and allow for flexible upgrades.

“Investing in open platforms ensures that disparate security systems can work together seamlessly,” Winn said. “This approach empowers security leaders to make more informed investment decisions and adapt to evolving threats.”

Kell echoed this sentiment, emphasizing organizations are recognizing that future proofing requires flexibility. “Locking into proprietary systems drives up long-term costs. Open security platforms can help to provide lower total cost of ownership, better cybersecurity and scalability,” he explained.

That said, some industries, particularly those with stricter compliance needs, still lean toward proprietary solutions, he added. “We may see hybrid approaches also becoming more common, where proprietary core systems integrate with open solutions for peripheral security functions.”

The growing demand for interoperability is supported by the 2024 Brivo Trends Report, which highlights that organizations are increasingly seeking security solutions capable of seamless integration with third-party systems, allowing for greater flexibility and scalability. This approach future-proofs security investments and enables a more agile response to evolving threats.

Role of Sustainability in Security Decisions

Sustainability is an emerging consideration in security investments. HID’s research shows that 75% of security leaders factor sustainability into their decision-making, with many prioritizing technologies that reduce energy consumption and waste.

Mobile credentials, for instance, contribute to sustainability by eliminating plastic card production and reducing physical waste. The report highlights that environmental responsibility is becoming a key factor in decision-making processes. Organizations are prioritizing technologies that not only enhance security but also reduce energy consumption and minimize environmental impact.

However, cost remains a major concern, with 74% of security leaders indicating they would prioritize security and reliability over sustainability if forced to choose (80% of integrators and consultants said the same thing). More than 3 in 4 of these leaders and more than 80% of integrators/consultants emphasized that, although sustainability is significant, selecting cost-effective solutions is essential.

The report states: “Ultimately, when faced with purchasing decisions, security leaders will consistently prioritize secure and cost-effective solutions over other considerations.”

Future of Security and Identity

HID’s 2025 State of Security and Identity report underscores the industry’s shift toward mobile, biometric, AI-driven and platform-based security solutions. As security teams navigate integration challenges and cost considerations, the demand for scalable and efficient security solutions continues to grow.

Winn believes the future will be defined by increased digital transformation. “The convergence of physical and digital security is accelerating, and organizations must adopt forward-thinking strategies to stay ahead,” he said. “From AI-powered security analytics to mobile identity solutions, the technologies shaping tomorrow’s security landscape are already here.”

Kell reinforced this perspective, highlighting the importance of strategic balance. “The real challenge for organizations is balancing cost, complexity and futureproofing without compromising security,” he said. “The move toward mobile, biometrics and open security platforms is clear, but adoption speed depends on industry-specific regulatory pressures and existing infrastructure.”