Access control as a service: The future of secure infrastructure

Access Control as a Service (ACaaS) combines the benefits of Software as a Service (SaaS) with on-premises access control devices. These cloud-based solutions control access remotely and backup and store data securely, providing permanent records of who accessed controlled areas or systems. ACaaS gives administrators the ability to manage the system and review logs anytime, anywhere, through a web browser. Access Control as a Service also enables the management of all facilities in a multi-location business from a central location. It is easier to add more users and change permissions. Some systems even allow users to use their smartphones to verify their identity access. The rising adoption of 10T-based security systems with cloud computing platforms is expected to fuel the growth of the access control as a service market. Rapid urbanization in emerging countries is expected to offer lucrative growth opportunities for the access control as a service market. However, the availability of free access control services is expected to hamper the market growth. The retail vertical segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR from 2024 to 2029. Firms in the retail sector face several challenges daily, including controlling access and preventing fires and accidents where customers could potentially get hurt. Retailers are seeking to optimize their offerings to fit the changing needs of the market and increase efficiencies in their operations. The combination of access control devices and ACaaS through the cloud presents an opportunity to create numerous new functionalities, enabling retailers to apply intelligent technologies to increase the sophistication of processes and address key challenges. These factors are expected to drive the market growth of the retail vertical segment.

Growing adoption of ACaaS to counter threats drives market growth

The market in Asia Pacific has further been segmented into China, Japan, India, South Korea, and the Rest of APAC. The access control as a market in the Asia Pacific is rapidly growing owing to the increasing demand for these services in countries such as China, Japan, India, South Korea, and the Rest of APAC. Security systems would be adopted at a higher rate in the Asia Pacific with a growing number of manufacturing units. There is also a constant risk of terror threats in the region. Asia Pacific has a high potential for the growth of the ACaaS market due to increased security concerns, especially in India and China; the governments in these countries have started investing heavily in security measures. Similarly, other emerging economies are focusing on improving their infrastructure, which is expected to impel the growth of the ACaaS market. The rising adoption of access control systems by small-sized and medium-sized enterprises, hospitality businesses, airports, ATMs, banks, residential buildings, and religious places is expected to drive the growth of the ACaaS market. Commercial, government, and industrial applications are the major sectors driving the growth of the ACaaS market in Asia Pacific. Multi-technology readers and private cloud-deployed ACaaS solutions are expected to grow at the highest rate. Increased homeland security operations and military defence spending in the Asia Pacific are also driving the ACaaS market.

Retail vertical segment projected to grow at highest CAGR during forecast period

Technology trends

1. Video analytics cameras: Video analytics cameras work as access control systems providing access to one user at a time. This will eliminate the risk of unauthorized personnel entering without permission. The adoption of video analytics cameras will improve the level of security offered by access control and offers better value for investment.
2. Cloud-based cameras in access control systems: The use of the cloud for cameras in access control systems gives the ability to integrate the camera access control into one system. This helps combine video surveillance with access control and other systems in a single platform. This integrated system decreases the overall cost of installation, running, and maintenance. Cloud-based security systems utilize IP cameras making them ideal for civilian and SME (small and medium enterprises) applications.
3. Integration of IoT: Cameras and access control systems are being further integrated with IOT connecting smart objects and notifying the homeowners in case of any intrusion. Similarly, it will enable them to keep track of anyone entering their homes from anywhere in the world.
4. Emergence of contactless biometrics: Contactless biometric solutions primarily use technologies such as iris recognition, face recognition, or voice recognition. COVID19 has made people wary of using touch-based biometric instruments as these carry a risk of spreading the disease. This has led to encouragement from companies and people to adopt contactless biometric solutions based on face, iris, and voice recognition technologies. As a result, secure contactless financial transactions are likely to increase.
5. Facial recognition technology (Face recognition cameras): The facial recognition market is witnessing a rise in demand primarily due to the increasing demand for contactless biometric based access control systems. Along with it, Al, machine vision, and deep learning technologies that enable images from cameras to be matched with images from complex facial recognition systems and databases are witnessing increased demand. Facial recognition-powered access control systems have started using improved images powered by better cameras, on-chip processing, edge computing, 3D face recognition, and neural network algorithm. These systems are playing a key role in driving the market for facial recognition cameras for access control. Identity management, border management, and homeland and military security management are the major government applications where facial recognition is witnessing growth in adoption.
6. Comprehensive and proactive security systems: There has been a rise in demand for proactive and all-inclusive security systems that consolidate alarm systems, access control, CCTV monitoring, and fire protection. As the Al technology market becomes more mature over time, CCTV monitoring is being automated as it can analyze both recorded and live videos for the detection, classification, and tracking of predefined objects. It helps in proactively pinpointing events from live videos and extracting relevant information from the recorded videos. For instance, a CCTV camera detecting an incident can trigger an alarm asking security staff to check the live feed.