Access control was one of the key areas in which vendors introduced new advanced solutions at Intersec Dubai 2026, boosted by rising regional demand for integrated technologies amid increasing requirements for data sovereignty and cybersecurity in the region.
In a series of
YouTube interviews conducted by our colleagues at a&s Middle East, key players revelead where their priorities lie this year.
IRIS ID – biometrics for highest-stakes environments
IRIS ID, which has been offering contactless access control solutions in the Middle East for 25 years, showcased deeper AI integration and improved image processing across its portfolio, including solutions combining iris and facial recognition. Its cloud-based ACaaS platform, which is already available in North America, will hit the Middle East market soon as local customers seek to explore the benefits of cloud solutions. Most important among them is probably scalability, as the region is seeing greater visitor numbers and its service sectors are booming on the back of large-scale investment.
At Dubai Airport, 42 million passengers passed through speed gates equipped with iris recognition technology by IRIS ID last year—a proud achievement, Mohammed Murad, Chief Sales Officer at IRIS ID told a&s Middle East in an exclusive interview at the IRIS ID booth.
Suprema – Unification with cloud option
Focus on scalability was also an important point for Suprema at Intersec, where it introduced the BioStar X unified platform to the regional market, featuring VMS, AI video and time attendance integration on a single interface, promising operational benefits to customers from large enterprises to SMBs.
With greater capabilities, however, come greater data processing requirements, and migration to the cloud is the most convincing answer given by many companies. At its booth at Intersec, Suprema showcased access control readers tailored to its BioStar Air ACaaS platform, including the BioStation 3, featuring Bluetooth Low Energy technology.
The readers it showcased combine mobile credentials with other authentication methods, such as dynamic QR codes for visitor management, offering the convenience of choice without the reliance of on-premise servers to handle user profiles.
Genetec – Cloud convenience for on-prem setups
Cloud integration is a global trend, as evidenced in Genetec’s sixth annual State of Physical Security report for 2026.
At Intersec, Andrew Elvish, Vice President of Marketing at Genetec, highlighted the findings of the report and explained how they serve as guiding principles in the development of Genetec solutions. In an exclusive interview with a&s Middle East, he stated, however, that the cloud trend “comes with a twist” in Middle East Markets.
Elvish said the main reason is that key jurisdictions in the region have raised the bar on data residency and data sovereignty requirements, while the buildup of the data center infrastructure is only just catching up. A solution that seeks to combine the best of both worlds is Genetec’s Cloud Link 210, a Linux-based headless appliance that supports video management, access control and intrusion management in a single device.
Sensitive data affected by those regulations, such as biometric user profiles, are being processed and remain on-prem, while operators can benefit from cloud features such as automatic firmware updates, security patches and system health monitoring. Operators can choose what datasets should have cloud exposure, while keeping others fully isolated from the Internet.
ASSA ABLOY – securing data center ‘white space’ with Kentix
The flipside of the coin is a global data center boom that also affects the Middle East.
As a strictly regulated high-stakes environment, data centers pose great challenges and opportunities for access control companies—not least in rethinking the way their solutions keep premises safe. At Kentix, which was recently acquired by ASSA ABLOY, the focus is on the “white space” of a data center.
“It's not only access control—it's monitoring, intrusion detection, early fire detection and everything else you need to protect your white space from any kind of threat within your data center,” Joachim Mahlsteadt, Managing Director at Kentix and CCC of DAS, ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions EMEIA, told a&s Middle East.
NEDAP – from access control to digital twining
Other exhibitors focused on new ways to orchestrate the myriad possibilities of access control systems in 2026. NEDAP, exhibiting at Intersec for the 18
th year straight, showcased its Pace Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) solution. Pace can serve as a digital twin of the whole organization, helping operators manage physical identities, credentials and access rights across a fragmented and complex landscape. As systems grow in complexity, overview of physical and digital assets is key for operational efficiency, cybersecurity and more.
HID – regional growth and cybersecurity
Cybersecurity was one of the main focus areas at the booth of HID, which showcased updates to its Mercury controllers, aimed to increase their resilience against cyberattacks. The Linux-based family of open-platform controllers offers support for the latest cybersecurity standards, enabling seamless upgrades for customers without compromising on dependability.
Aside from upgrades to its existing offering, HID also announced a growth in headcount in the region, promising customers and partners expanded support through sales, pre-sales and tech staff.
Conclusion – Access control leading the way
Intersec gave testament to growth and ever-deeper integration of security solutions in the Middle East. Access Control companies showcased solutions that they’re ahead of the curve, seeking to facilitate demand for integrated solutions that is only expected to increase.
Visit the
a&s Middle East YouTube channel for complete coverage of Intersec 2026, including interviews with ASSA ABLOY, Genetec, Nedap, ISS, Motorola Solutions, Reconeyez, ICT, Teledyne FLIR, Mercury.AI, Gallagher Security, Screencheck Middle East, Zenitel, Suprema, Bosch, 4EVAC, Iris ID Systems, HID, XPR Group, Tabbara Electronics, M2M Services, IDtech, Magnus, VIVOTEK, Axis Communications, Primion, Smarttive, LINEV Systems, Garret, UXE Security Solutions, Telaeris, PASO and AxxonSoft.