Readers, controllers, credentials, and management software generate and store sensitive information and communicate with other corporate systems. If they are poorly protected, outdated, or inadequately managed, they can create both digital and physical risks.
This evolution coincides with a scenario in which identity and credentials have become a priority target for cybercriminals. In fact,Global Threat Intelligence Report 2026 identifies identity theft as one of the main vectors of cybercrime and estimates that 3.3 billion credentials will be stolen during 2025 from 11.1 million infected devices.
In this context, Genetec recommends that physical security systems be held to the same standards as any other technology connected to the enterprise network. Organizations need to know how quickly they can deploy updates, whether communications are encrypted, how users are authenticated, what visibility exists regarding potential vulnerabilities, and how security policies are enforced across different locations.
This transformation also demands closer collaboration between physical security and IT. It's no longer enough to know who can access a particular area. Companies need to know who manages the system, how permissions are granted and revoked, when they were last reviewed, and whether these decisions can be consistently audited.
Growth makes access control more difficult.
The problem is exacerbated in organizations with multiple locations, acquisitions, contractors, temporary workers, or frequent job changes. When different sites use different procedures for issuing credentials, approving requests, or reviewing permits, the risk of losing an overall view of who has access to each facility increases.
As a result, some employees may retain permits they no longer need, policies may vary unnecessarily between locations, and security teams may struggle to detect outdated permits or anomalous behavior.
Therefore, Genetec focuses on standardization and automation as essential elements for scaling access management. Role-based models and integration with Human Resources and identity management systems allow permissions to be automatically adjusted to each person's current responsibilities, preventing access granted for needs that no longer exist.
“As access control becomes increasingly integrated with corporate networks and identity management platforms, it can no longer be considered an isolated infrastructure. Organizations need to know not only who can open a door, but why they retain that permission, when it was last reviewed, and whether that decision can be consistently applied and audited across all their facilities,” says Rafael Martín, Sales Director for Southern Europe at Genetec.
For Genetec, modernizing access control is no longer just about upgrading hardware. It also requires establishing clear processes, maintaining continuous monitoring, automating permissions management, and strengthening coordination between physical security, IT, compliance, and risk management teams.
