From transparent architectures to unified credential management: HID executive highlights latest innovations in exclusive interview

HID is a household name in the access control space. The fact that its products and solutions are so well-established in architectures around the world requires an evolutionary approach to innovation—that means designing new generations of devices based on previous ones instead of starting from scratch.
 
At The Security Event, one of Europe’s prime industry shows held in Birmingham in late April 2026, HID nonetheless showcased solutions that promise significant tangible benefits, more flexibility and better compliance.
 
Shortly after the event, asmag sat for an interview with Jaroslav Barton, Product Marketing Director, HID, in which he talked us through what the company had on show in Birmingham, including the HID M1 Transparent Gateway, Converged Credentials and updates to its Signo lineup of access control readers.
 

M1 Transparent Gateway: Encryption in a safe location

The HID M1 is a security module that sits between existing OSDP (Open Supervised Device Protocol) controllers and readers to perform all cryptographic operations in a secured location instead of in readers, creating a transparent architecture in which all data sent into the building from the reader at the door remains encrypted.
 
“The main purpose of a transparent architecture is to ensure companies are in compliance with strict legal regulations in their jurisdiction,” Barton said, adding that the HID M1 is especially beneficial for organizations in the French market, where new rules have recently been announced.
 
“Transparent architecture stands in contrast to standard architectures, where the reader needs to contain cryptography keys which can be potentially vulnerable if they are not stored securely. HID M1 can add transparent architecture to any OSDP controller.” Barton added.
 
“With the M1, organizations who want to upgrade to a transparent architecture don’t have to replace any readers or controllers, even if their controllers have no encryption functionalities,” Barton stated. “The HID M1 is located between the reader and controller, typically in a physically safe location inside the building, where it handles cryptography workloads for up to eight readers. It is powered by a strong NVIDIA chip, which ensures speedy access control decisions even when there are simultaneous access events across the readers.”
 
“By adding the HID M1 to an access control system, the other parts remain unaffected,” Barton explained. “Organizations can, for example, only create a transparent architecture for readers at the building perimeter, while they keep a standard architecture for readers inside the building.”
 

Converged credentials for secure, passwordless access

Access control has in the past few years gained in profile in the security world, especially in booming verticals such as smart buildings. As Barton put it, “access control and integrated access control data can play a key role in enabling smart buildings to truly act smart.”
 
“It is important not just to enable smart solutions, but to do so efficiently and secure them against physical and cyberthreats” he added.
 
The HID M1 is certainly testament to this, as is another innovation showcased at The Security Event: HID converged credentials, a platform that unifies physical and logical access into a phishing-resistant credential environment for enterprise environments.
 
With Converged Credentials, organizations can secure their facilities and manage employee identities and credentials through a single, unified platform.  Supporting the FIDO2 and PKI standards, converged credentials enables employees to enter the building and access their workstation with the same contactless RFID smart card or FIDO2 security token, without the need for a password.
 
“Physical security threats and threats against IT systems have previously been addressed separately, but as systems converge, this has become more complicated and less efficient on the operational level. Organizations that have multiple credential systems in place may struggle to keep the oversight,” Barton said. “Moreover, password that used to be standard in IT security have become increasingly vulnerable to cyberthreats such as phishing.”
 
“With converged credentials, users only need one smart card or token to verify their identity whenever they access an enterprise system. They use it to open the door, log into their computer and access network resources,” Barton said. “It is easier both for them and the organization, as it seeks to ensure the same security standard for all systems.”
 
“It also allows organizations to integrate systems and thereby create an additional layer of security,” Barton explained. “Imagine the following situation: A user accesses a workstation in the morning, using their smart card. The system can check in real time whether the same user has previously entered the building and used the elevator, and it can flag unusual network access attempts, for example when there’s no log of the user entering the building.”
 

Expanding the Signo lineup

Meanwhile, HID also remains committed to its core product lineup, including the Signo readers, as showcased at The Security Event.
 
“We expanded the Signo portfolio this year, including different types of mechanical keypads suitable for harsh outdoor environments. We also showcased readers with a glass front for indoor environments where users have specific aesthetic needs,” Barton said.
 
“At The Security Event, we exhibited for the second time together with Third Millenium, a Wales-based access control reader company that was recently acquired by HID,” Barton added. “New products from Third Millenium include anti-ligature readers with especially flat profiles that can be installed flush against the wall.”
 

Partner commitment

Owned by ASSA ABLOY, HID does not offer standalone products in the end user market, but its technology is integrated in access control systems by its global network of partners, including its parent company.
 
“We offer products, solutions and platforms that help our partners provide complete access control solutions to customers through their respective integrator networks,” Barton said, adding that HID has recently updated the organization of its support teams for physical products. In the European market, a regional team has taken over from HID’s global support, ensuring service is provided as close as possible to the customer.
 
Meanwile, HID remains committed to open integration, offering support to partners whose solutions are based on HID technology. “We provide APIs and SDKs to our partners to help them create end user-focused solutions,” Barton said.
 

Looking ahead: Market trends

In this regard, HID focuses on continuity—and continuous integration of new technologies and solutions based on what the market needs.
 
“In Europe specifically, we see the migration from physical to mobile credentials, even though the market for card-based solutions will remain the largest segment,” Barton stated. “Meanwhile, biometrics are also gaining in importance. We see biometrics adoption in simplified access control environments as a standalone method and—more importantly for HID—as a secondary or additional authentication method in higher-security environments.”