Alcatraz AI - Experts & Thought Leaders

Alcatraz, the AI-powered physical access control company redefining secure entry through facial authentication, announces the appointment of Ilya Ozerets as Senior Vice President of Product & Innovation. In this role, Ilya will lead Alcatraz’s next phase of product and technology evolution, overseeing product, software, and hardware teams to accelerate execution, strengthen cross-functional alignment, and deliver high-impact, revenue-generating innovations across the company. Revenue-generating innovations Ilya brings more than 15 years of experience building and scaling AI-native products, biometric technologies, and enterprise systems. Most recently, he served as Chief Product & Strategy Officer at ID R&D, a pioneer in liveness and anti-spoofing technologies, where he helped scale the company’s biometric technology offerings and contributed to its successful acquisition by Mitek Systems. His previous leadership experience also includes product and strategy roles at Mitek Systems and Wells Fargo, where he led enterprise identity, authentication, and biometric technologies supporting hundreds of millions of users. AI-powered access control “At Alcatraz, we are building the future of physical security with technology that is intelligent, frictionless, and privacy-first,” said Tina D'Agostin, CEO of Alcatraz. “We are the Face ID of physical security. As organizations modernize how they secure buildings, campuses, airports, and data centers, the demand for AI-powered access control continues to accelerate. Ilya brings deep expertise in biometric and identity innovation, AI-native systems, and enterprise-scale execution that will help us continue advancing our technology and delivering transformative experiences for customers around the world.” Strategic upsell pathways Ozerets will focus on bridging product and engineering while driving end-to-end delivery excellence across the organization. He will also help identify new market opportunities and expand Alcatraz’s technology offerings through new product innovation, ecosystem partnerships, and strategic upsell pathways. “I’m excited to join Alcatraz at a pivotal moment for both the company and the industry,” said Ilya Ozerets. “As physical and digital identity continue to converge, organizations are rethinking how people securely move through buildings and critical infrastructure. Alcatraz is uniquely positioned to lead that transformation through AI-driven, privacy first technology designed for the modern enterprise. I look forward to helping scale the company’s next phase of innovation and growth.”

A Cupertino startup founded by a former Apple engineer who helped develop Face ID has spent a decade building the alternative — and today announced it has raised $50 million to bring it to the world. Alcatraz, which makes an AI-powered physical access control system that authenticates employees without retaining any personal biometric data, has closed a $50 million Series B funding round, bringing total capital raised to more than $100 million. The round was led by BlackPeak Capital, Cogito Capital, and Taiwania Capital, with participation from existing investors Almaz Capital, EBRD, Ray Stata, and others. AI data centres The company's customers already include the world's largest AI data centres, major U.S. airports, energy companies, NFL teams, major universities, and Fortune 100 companies. In 2025, Alcatraz reported more than 300% year-over-year growth in data center adoption, 200% growth in new enterprise customers, and a fivefold expansion across Fortune 500 deployments. "We are the Face ID of securing physical spaces," says Tina D'Agostin, CEO of Alcatraz. "The world's largest airports, energy companies, and the world's most critical data centers all trust Alcatraz. Our technology is AI-powered and completely anonymized. For the workplace of today, badges and passcodes inherently invite too much risk." Major biometric security system The Problem: Legacy Security Was Built for a Different Era - Badges get lost. PINs get shared. Legacy biometric systems often fail under real-world conditions. But the deeper problem, the one the physical security industry rarely talks about, is surveillance. Every other major biometric security system currently on the market is built on facial biometric technology rooted in surveillance that ties an employee's personal identity to their face, stores that data, and creates exactly the kind of high-value target that attracts breaches. Employees often don't know it's happening. Regulators are beginning to take notice. "Four-digit passcodes and badges were designed for a different era," says Ray Stata, one of the company's largest investors. "Companies are realizing they need security that is tied to the person, not to a piece of plastic. With Alcatraz, every time an employee walks through the door, our AI-powered technology is learning and adapting — not relying on a photograph taken years ago on their first day." Stored database of photographs The Solution: Authentication, Not Surveillance - Alcatraz's answer is the Rock™ — a solution installed at building entry points that verifies identity through facial authentication as a person walks past at normal speed. No stopping. No swiping. No badge to fumble for. The distinction is fundamental. Facial surveillance identifies people by matching images against a stored database of photographs — the same technology that has drawn scrutiny from regulators, civil liberties groups, and lawmakers. Facial authentication, the approach Alcatraz uses, simply confirms that the person walking in is who they say they are - without storing any photos or accessing any other personal data. Think of the difference this way: facial recognition is a surveillance camera with a long memory. Facial authentication is a lock that recognizes your key — and forgets it the moment the door opens. Protecting physical spaces No photographs are taken. No biometric images are stored in the cloud. Employees enroll voluntarily and can delete their data at any time. The platform is designed to meet GDPR, CCPA, BIPA, and other compliance requirements out of the box. "We are the only biometric system protecting physical spaces using facial authentication instead of the legacy facial surveillance use case," says D'Agostin. "Like Face ID on your iPhone, no photographs are being taken. No personal data is being stored." Physical security industry The Founder: From Apple to the Buildings That Run the World - Alcatraz was founded in 2016 by Vince Gaydarzhiev, who led hardware prototyping for iPad and iPhone at Apple during the development of Face ID. He saw firsthand what the technology could do when privacy was built in from the start — and saw an obvious question nobody in the physical security industry was asking: why couldn't the buildings where people work be protected the same way their phones already were? "I saw firsthand how powerful this technology could be when it was built with privacy at the centre," says Gaydarzhiev. "The idea was to bring that same approach to the physical spaces where people work. Now we protect the top AI data centers in the world. If AI is the engine powering the next era of innovation, security has to be the foundation beneath it. This funding accelerates our ability to build that foundation at global scale." Mounting regulatory expectations Why Now: The AI Data Center Boom Has Created a Physical Security Challenge - The timing of the raise is not coincidental. The largest technology companies in the world are spending hundreds of billions of dollars building data centers to power the artificial intelligence boom — and the facilities housing that infrastructure have become some of the most sensitive real estate on the planet. Physical security spending at data centers is projected to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by the value of equipment inside and mounting regulatory expectations around access. Earlier this year, Safe Skies — funded by the FAA — certified the Rock™ as reliable, secure, and effective for use in high-security airport environments, a milestone that opens a significant new sector for the company. High-security airport environments "We are the guardians of AI," says Gaydarzhiev. "The data centers we protect aren't just buildings. They are the infrastructure that the entire digital economy runs on." Alcatraz plans to use the new capital to accelerate product development, expand into international markets, and grow its team. The company expects 2026 to be its strongest year to date.

Alcatraz, the pioneer in facial biometric authentication for physical access, announces it has partnered with the Active Shooter Prevention Project™(ASPP™) to help keep schools, workplaces and other public spaces safe. Alcatraz pioneered Facial Authentication-as-a-Service (FAaaS), a plug-and-play biometric access control solution that safeguards some of the world’s most sensitive environments. Through this new partnership, Alcatraz will integrate its technology into the P.R.O. Model™ (Prevention. Response. Options.), a groundbreaking approach from ASPP™ to active-shooter prevention and response. Overall security readiness “We couldn’t be happier to welcome Alcatraz into the ASPP Community of Experts. In my view, prevention demands the very best and most capable technology, backed by resilience and leadership, and Alcatraz understands what’s at stake,” says Chris Grollnek, Active Shooter Expert and Chairman of the Board at ASPP. “Together, we are dedicated to reducing risk before violence begins by building safer environments with a purpose, as we continue on our path to Destination #NEVERHERE™.” Alcatraz’s facial authentication solution turns any door into an intelligent entry point with access granted based on a user’s confirmed facial identity rather than an access card or ID badge that can be lost or stolen. This adds an identity-verified first layer of defence that helps organisations prevent unauthorised access and strengthen their overall security readiness. Facial biometric authentication “We are proud to be ASPP’s first partner that focuses specifically on facial biometric authentication,” says Kasia Hanson, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Alcatraz. “Every child has the right to learn in a safe and secure environment, and all of us should be able to work free of the danger posed by unauthorised individuals gaining access to workplaces. By joining with ASPP, we’re helping schools, employers and venue operators modernise access control and prevent incidents before they start.” By partnering with ASPP, Alcatraz is joining a community of exemplary security professionals dedicated to preventing active-shooter incidents and domestic terrorism. ASPP advisors include former CIA and FBI agents as well as members of the military. Alcatraz will contribute its expertise to ASPP’s ongoing efforts to define best practices for modern access control in high-risk environments. Alcatraz is trusted to provide reliable access to some of the world’s most secure environments. Its privacy-first, high-performance facial authentication at scale is built for organisations that demand the highest levels of trust, control and operational reliability.

ISC West 2024 mirrored a vibrant industry on the precipice of accelerated change. Factors such as the cloud, artificial intelligence (AI), edge computing, and biometrics are shaping the future of the security marketplace, and they were front-and-centre at the industry’s biggest U.S. show in Las Vegas.  Foot traffic was steady and impressive, including more than 29,000 security industry professionals viewing 750 exhibitors. A torrent of eager attendees crowded the lobby on the first day and could not wait for the doors to open. When they were admitted, the wealth of technological innovation and business opportunity did not disappoint. Focus on cloud systems Cloud systems were high-profile at ISC West. Camera manufacturer Axis, for example, introduced their Axis Cloud Connect at a press conference. Meanwhile, Genetec officially launched their Security Centre SaaS platform, which aims at eliminating points of friction to enable integrators to easily embrace cloud systems from quoting and ordering to provisioning and installing.  Camera manufacturer Axis, for example, introduced their Axis Cloud Connect at a press conference Cloud provider Eagle Eye Networks promoted their new “Eagle Eye 911 Camera Sharing” technology under which both non-Eagle Eye Cloud VMS customers (via Eagle Eye 911 Public Safety Camera Sharing) and Eagle Eye customers can opt to share their video feeds for use by 911 operators in case of emergency. If users opt-in, 911 operators can have access to live video as an emergency unfolds. Eagle Eye Networks provides the feature by integrating with RapidSOS call centre software. Camera locations are based on geolocation coordinates, and customers can choose if they want to participate and which cameras they want to share. Biometrics in the mainstream Biometrics were well represented at ISC West, including Alcatraz AI, which introduced an outdoor version of their biometric face recognition product. The Rock X works well despite harsh lighting. Alcatraz’s products do not have to be integrated, they communicate just like a card reader using OSDP or Wiegand protocol. “At the show, customers are excited about moving to a frictionless environment and getting rid of existing credentialing,” said Tina D’Agostin, CEO and co-founder of Alcatraz. “We are making access control frictionless, secure and private. The experience can be as passive as possible – people can just walk in.” Multiple types of authentication, and the ability to detect tailgating and stream video SAFR from Real Networks also featured biometric face recognition, emphasising feature sets, convenience, and price/performance. They offer multiple types of authentication, and the ability to detect tailgating and stream video. A new device is a small mullion mount that is “approaching the price of a card reader, factoring in the need to purchase cards,” said Brad Donaldson, Vice President and General Manager. SAFR focuses on convenience: You don’t have to take out your phone to pass through a door. Enrolment is easy by incorporating existing databases, and costs are lower than competitors, said Donaldson. The system analyses multiple points on the face, turns it into data and then encrypts it, providing a “unique signature for each person.”  Credentials in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet AMAG Technology announced the compatibility of credentials with the Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. The company is also embracing a new strategic direction under President David Sullivan. They launched a new website in January, are developing dynamic resources and a partner page, and they now integrate with 120 tech partners. AMAG Technology Financial Services now enables their channel partners to offer leasing and financing options to customers. The big new booth at ISC West reflected an effort to “market different and look different,” according to the company. The big new booth at ISC West reflected an effort to “market different and look different" The new Symmetry Control Room, a command-and-control system, is a relaunch of an earlier AMAG product with enhanced features. Suitable for large enterprise customers, the software enables a big video wall to display all the various systems and incorporates all the data into a single “pane of glass.” Operators can “draw a lasso” around cameras they want to display on the video wall and can follow action across multiple camera feeds.  Navigating megatrends A breakfast meeting for integrators, sponsored by Assa Abloy Opening Solutions, was built around the theme “Navigating Megatrends for Sustainable Growth." The megatrends are artificial intelligence, sustainability and cybersecurity. Related to cybersecurity, there are 350 common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVE) published per week, reflecting the continuing threat to cybersecurity. Physical security has a “data lake” of information from various physical security systems that can be an attractive target for cybersecurity breaches. Data sets can be exploited and/or poisoned. The security industry needs to apply “defence in depth” to the challenges of protecting data. “The threat landscape is always changing, and security technology is an iterative process,” said Antoinette King, i-PRO’s head of cyber convergence, one of the panellists. Natural language systems Natural language systems are a newer approach making an early appearance at ISC West Natural language systems are a newer approach making an early appearance at ISC West. Brivo, for example, has an early prototype of its “natural language search capabilities” that can answer questions such as “Who is in the office?” or “Where is Bob and what has he done?” Brivo also promoted its all-in-one door station device that combines a card reader and a camera (for facial authentication) and serves as a video intercom, thus eliminating the need for multiple devices at the door. Brivo is also emphasising tailgate prevention, facial authentication, and people counting using AI at the edge. Also promoting natural language systems was Verkada, which unveiled a beta version of its AI Search feature that embraces national language capabilities. With AI Search, users will soon be able to use natural language to search for people or items. For example, a search could be “person climbing over a fence” or “person making phone call” or “person wearing football jersey.” Verkada wants to be thoughtful with the rollout and make sure effective guardrails are implemented to prevent abuse and bias. The release should happen in the coming months. Multi-family applications Allegion is promoting the XE360 hardware lock platform in various formats, including cylindrical lock, mortise lock, deadbolt and exit trim. At the show, Allegion noted an enthusiasm for multi-family applications. “We have been surprised by the people who want to add electronics and to retrofit existing multi-family facilities to compete with newer facilities,” said Henry “Butch” Holland, Allegion’s Regional Director, Channel Sales East Region. Allegion works with 60 different physical access control software providers, including familiar players such as LenelS2 and Genetec Allegion also offers an “indicator” display on its locks, showing at a glance whether a door is locked or unlocked. The “indicator” might also display “occupied” or “vacant.” Allegion works with 60 different physical access control software providers, including familiar players such as LenelS2 and Genetec.  Integrator M&A trends Everon looks for acquisitions in areas where they do not currently have support for national accounts A conversation with Everon at ISC West provided insights into the accelerating trend of mergers and acquisitions among the integrator community. Everon, formerly ADT Commercial, has done six acquisitions of local integrators since they changed their name last year. In targeting companies to acquire, they look for a good company with a good reputation, and they consider how the new company’s competencies complement their own. Some M&A strategy is geographic, as Everon looks for acquisitions in areas where they do not currently have support for national accounts. They also consider density, seeking to add new acquisitions in larger markets where they don’t currently have a big market share. “A lot of investment is coming into security because it is seen by investors as recession-proof,” said Michael Kennedy, VP, Mergers and Acquisitions, for Everon. Kennedy met with 95 businesses last year for possible acquisition, and the company only finalised a handful – reflecting that Everon is selective and careful that corporate cultures are aligned. “With an acquisition, the goal is to keep every customer and every employee,” said Kennedy. Voice of the customer  ISC West provides an opportunity for manufacturers to listen to the “voice of the customer;” in person, no less. “We have every kind of problem come to the booth,” commented Heather Torrey, Honeywell’s General Manager, Commercial Security, Americas. “People are passionate, interested and very specific with their questions and comments,” she said. “We are driving a complete system, but we are flexible, helping our customers to meet their needs and not try to fit every foot into the same shoe. Sometimes meeting customer needs involves working with competitors," Torrey commented. “It truly comes back to listening to the customer, not just ‘this is what we have to offer,’” she adds. ISC West provides an opportunity for manufacturers to listen to the “voice of the customer;” in person, no less. Edge applications are everywhere at ISC West, and one company is promoting a new approach to expand functionality at the edge. Camera company i-PRO advocates the use of the “Docker” platform for app development, an option they offer on their cameras. Docker “containers” package deep-learning algorithms to make it easier to embed software into edge devices. Anyone can run Docker apps on i-PRO cameras that use the powerful Ambarella chip. A Docker “swarm” can combine multiple edge devices to work together and share resources. For example, the approach can increase computing power at the edge to increase the capabilities of instant analytics. It’s faster and provides better redundancies. A “distributed computing platform” ensures less latency than communicating analytics to a central server.  Unification of capabilities Johnson Controls (JCI) also promotes the trend of combining multiple systems into a single pane of glass. Their “Open Blue” platform, with a security version unveiled at the show, integrates various security systems into one, combining data and monitoring device health.  Basically, the system manages all resources holistically. JCI also notes a trend toward “unification of capabilities,” e.g., combining access control and video. “The scope of security is evolving from a focus on protection to a broader focus on operations,” commented Julie M. Brandt, JCI’s President, Building Solutions North America.

IFSEC International took place over three days at the ExCel in London, presented alongside shows covering fire safety, intelligent buildings, facilities management, and safety and health. While perhaps not on the same scale as pre-pandemic events, the atmosphere was convivial and spirits high, everyone glad to be back amongst their peers in the industry. Predictably, the trending topics were steered by issues in the wider world: sustainability, moving services to a subscription-based model, and new ways of working inspired by COVID-19 safety measures. A place for cutting-edge innovation After a challenging couple of years, companies were keen to meet customers, showcase their products and reveal the latest innovations. Integrated Design Limited displayed their new Glassgate 400 Plus turnstile, a sleek design for the corporate market. Tony Smith, Major Accounts and Marketing Manager, Entrance Control and Turnstile Security, told SourceSecurity.com, “I feel trade shows are a very important part of IDL’s marketing effort. We are more than pleased to display alongside our peers and have customers make direct comparisons with our products and theirs.” Biometric access reader Biometrics, as ever, generated a lot of interest, including the European launch of RealNetworks’ new SAFR SCAN biometric access reader, which combines facial recognition, computer vision, and image capture technologies for a range of applications. “Overall, there was a really good footfall, and we met an excellent mixture of end-customers, system integrators, distributors, and consultants from both Europe and the Middle East who are exactly the types of people we were hoping to demonstrate SAFR SCAN to,” commented Charlie Bennett, Vice President UK & Europe – SAFR, RealNetworks. Access control systems going green HID Global is one company leading the way in the move away from plastics to focus on mobile access The eco-friendly trend and the need to be more sustainable is becoming a real force in the security industry, particularly in access control where there is considerable pressure to ditch the plastic. HID Global is one company leading the way in the move away from plastics to focus on mobile access. Gerald Grattoni, Physical Access Control Solutions Regional Business Unit Vice President at HID Global (part of the ASSA ABLOY Group), explained in a press briefing, “Making buildings smarter and more eco-conscious is high on the corporate responsibility agenda of many companies as the sustainability credentials of new buildings are now very important. With digitalised mobile identities there is less plastic waste and lower emissions.” Flexible, remote, and contactless Innovation in smart buildings is also being led by changes to how we work, live, and play, inspired in part by the recent pandemic. New technology is required to meet the needs of the hybrid workspace, as employers adopt more flexible working models and demand for contactless access control increases. Now, the most technologically sophisticated buildings are controlled by an app on a mobile phone, giving ease of access and full control without the need for plastic cards. Remote monitoring Advances in remote monitoring have escalated due to COVID-19, particularly in high demand in the health and education markets. Connecting via industrial standard network protocols allows for remote communication Ian Bridgewater, Director, Technical Sales Manager, TOA Corporation (UK) Ltd, explained further, “Connecting via industrial standard network protocols allows for remote communication. Working with specialist software developers has expanded this, giving greater flexibility to monitor and maintain systems remotely from a central hub.” AI-based autonomous access solution AI also has a role to play in this new high-tech, touchless world and various companies are utilising this technology. Alcatraz AI found IFSEC the perfect opportunity to exhibit their new Rock autonomous access solution. "We now live in a time in which AI can make precise real-time decisions at the door to authenticate or deny access using your face as a credential,” said Greg Sarrail, Senior Vice President of Sales at Alcatraz AI. “IFSEC 2022 allowed Alcatraz AI to demonstrate the speed and accuracy of autonomous access control. The number of qualified partners and end-users representing a broad international scope in attendance at IFSEC was encouraging.” Meanwhile, the Eagle Eye Networks stand attracted a lot of visitors keen for a demo of their new Eagle Eye Smart Video Search, which allows users to search for people, vehicles, or objects, and immediately find the exact video across all cameras in all sites. "AI and cloud are two trends that Eagle Eye, the media, and the security business community have been talking about for a while. We were excited to showcase Eagle Eye's new AI-powered technologies at IFSEC 2022," added Rishi Lodhia, Eagle Eye Networks Vice President and Manager Director EMEA. "Our stand was buzzing with activity and AI was the main topic of discussion for all three days. All in all, a great show."  Investing in a secure future Engineers of Tomorrow gave apprentice finalists the chance to show off their skills in front of thousands of peers and professionals from the security sectors live on the show floor. The winners will go on to the WorldSkills UK (WSUK) LIVE competition – the nation’s premier skills, apprenticeships, and careers event. Although the products on display at IFSEC promised a contactless, digital future, this was a good reminder of the importance of the people who install and maintain these systems and the vital role of engineering apprenticeships in the industry.

Facial recognition is a mature technology that continues to change and evolve. New innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI) are expanding facial recognition capabilities, even as privacy concerns, though often misguided, undermine wider acceptance in the market. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the new developments in facial recognition?