In the physical security world, there’s a growing realization that the edge isn’t just a frontier—it’s a necessity. From remote substations and mining operations to citywide utilities and franchised retail, today’s organizations are increasingly seeking to secure locations that fall far outside the traditional corporate LAN.
In the physical security world, there's a growing realization that the edge isn't just a frontier—it's a necessity. From remote substations and mining operations to citywide utilities and franchised retail, today's organizations are increasingly seeking to secure locations that fall far outside the traditional corporate LAN. As this shift accelerates, the market is undergoing a profound transformation driven by a new mindset: that world-class security must be available everywhere and anywhere.
At the heart of this shift is the rise of cloud-based services reshaping how remote access control is deployed and managed. These platforms aren’t simply extending existing systems, they're challenging long-held assumptions about what's possible, practical, and cost-effective.
Gallagher's OneLink is a compelling example of this change in action.
Cloud as enabler, not disruptor
Mike Margrain,
Technical Director APAC and IMEA
at Gallagher Security
The adoption of cloud in physical security has often been met with caution, especially in industries that value resilience and control. But what we're seeing now is a more sophisticated approach: hybrid architectures that preserve the strengths of on-premise systems while extending their capabilities through secure, purpose-built cloud layers.
OneLink embodies this philosophy. Rather than replacing Command Centre, Gallagher's proven site management platform, it enhances it, providing a secure cloud bridge that connects remote controllers directly to the central server. This eliminates the need for traditional VPNs, inbound firewall rules, and complex IT interventions. The result is a system that's simpler to deploy, easier to manage, and more secure by design.
For organizations accustomed to managing physical access through costly corporate infrastructure, this is a game-changer. It turns remote, mobile, and bandwidth-constrained sites—from mountain-top wind farms to vehicles, pop-up stores, or offshore installations—fully into the fold of modern security operations.
Unlocking previously inaccessible environments
Historically, the cost and complexity of extending secure access to remote sites has created hard limits on what could be practically protected. Enterprise-grade routers, IT-managed VPNs, and dedicated network paths add significant overhead, particularly in environments with little or no existing infrastructure.
OneLink removes those barriers. With just an internet or cellular connection, Gallagher controllers can securely communicate with the central Command Centre system via an encrypted WebSocket through Gallagher's cloud-hosted Controller Gateway. Mutual TLS authentication, certificate pinning, and an isolated AWS environment ensure robust protection, even over public networks.
What this means in practice is that environments once considered too remote, temporary, or fragmented can now be brought into a unified security posture. In Asia-Pacific, we’re already seeing strong interest from sectors like mining, logistics, utilities, and government, where geographically dispersed assets, strict IT policies, and challenging terrain have historically limited the reach of central management.
Operational efficiency, redefined
The technical innovation behind OneLink translates directly into operational advantage. Gallagher’s data shows that deployments using OneLink can be up to 75% faster, cost 97% less to configure, and be 36% less costly to maintain over time compared to traditional VPN-based setups.
These efficiencies extend beyond IT. By simplifying installation and enabling centralized updates, OneLink reduces travel, downtime, and the need for on-site support. This aligns with broader trends we see across the region, like a growing focus on sustainability, cost control, and business agility, especially in industries facing talent shortages or constrained budgets.
The ability to remotely monitor, control, and maintain remote assets is no longer a luxury—it's becoming a baseline expectation. OneLink supports this with real-time performance monitoring, centralized control, and seamless integration into existing infrastructure. It's not just about access control anymore; it’s about full-spectrum asset visibility and command.
From standalone to unified
Many organizations in Asia-Pacific still operate standalone security systems at regional branches, franchise locations, or industrial outposts. For these environments, the path to modernization can seem steep, particularly where infrastructure is fragmented or regulatory constraints apply.
OneLink offers a new pathway. Because it doesn’t require a corporate WAN or extensive networking expertise, it empowers organizations to consolidate previously siloed systems under a single pane of glass. Whether protecting a single access point or an entire perimeter, sites can now be integrated into a central Command Centre environment with minimal effort.
This opens the door to standardization, better auditing, and strategic insight across an organization’s full security footprint, regardless of geography.
Flexibility without compromise
Security professionals often face trade-offs between flexibility and control. Cloud solutions are attractive for their ease of deployment, but not all environments—or stakeholders—are ready to relinquish on-premise control.
OneLink addresses this by offering true hybrid capability. It supports full autonomy at the edge (controllers continue to function offline), while delivering cloud-managed connectivity that scales with organizational needs. Customers can choose the model that fits their security posture—fully on-prem, fully connected, or somewhere in between—without compromising security or performance.
This level of adaptability is particularly valuable in regions with varying regulatory frameworks, diverse infrastructure maturity, and a mix of legacy and next-generation systems.
A new model for security at the edge
The security market is no stranger to evolution. But the shift underway today is more than technological: it’s conceptual. We’re redefining what it means to protect an asset, what qualifies as a secure site, and who can manage it.
Cloud-based services like OneLink solve problems, but more importantly, they also create new possibilities. They empower security teams to think beyond the LAN, to move at the pace of business, and to extend confidence to the farthest edges of their operations.
In doing so, they are not only transforming the way we deploy and manage security, they're changing the definition of what's possible.
Mike Margrain is the Technical Director Asia Pacific and India, Middle East and Africa at Gallagher Security