SwiftConnect - Experts & Thought Leaders

SwiftConnect, provider of the connected access network for places and spaces, announces the acquisition of HID’s Workforce Business Unit, including HID SAFE, the platform for automating identity lifecycle management in the physical world. The combination addresses a problem every large organisation faces. When someone joins a company, changes roles, or leaves, their physical access permissions should update automatically, everywhere, in real time. In most organisations today, that process is manual, fragmented, and unreliable because IT manages digital access while a separate team manages physical access, and the two systems rarely communicate. The result is friction, audit exposure, and access that persists long after it should have been revoked. Physical access governance SwiftConnect's AccessCloud platform connects identity providers, mobile credentials, and access control systems across buildings, campuses, and portfolios. HID SAFE manages the governance layer, automating access requests, approvals, policy enforcement, and revocation based on changes in HR, IT, and security systems. Together, they deliver a single platform for physical access governance that covers the full arc: who someone is, what they are authorised to access, how they access it, and what happens when their role changes. "Access should be invisible for users. They are easily credentialed, they walk in, and nothing gets in their way. The addition of HID SAFE enables governance that makes this possible. The policies, approvals, and compliance requirements will now all live in the same platform as the experience,” said Matt Kopel and Chip Kruger, Co-CEOs of SwiftConnect. “Every person will get exactly the access they are entitled to, and just tapping to access buildings, doors, floors, and resources will be effortless.” Security-driven organisations “HID SAFE has earned the trust of the world’s most security-driven organisations for more than two decades. Great technology deserves the space to reach its full potential, and SwiftConnect is the right partner to take it there,” said Björn Lidefelt, EVP and Head of HID. For existing SwiftConnect customers, the acquisition delivers enterprise-grade physical access governance capabilities natively integrated with AccessCloud. For existing HID SAFE customers, their governance platform is now backed by SwiftConnect’s cloud-first, connected access infrastructure that networks existing physical access systems with cloud, identity, and mobile technologies. Connected access network Shane Butler, EVP of Identity at SwiftConnect, has recently joined the company to lead the SAFE business and drive the evolution in physical access governance. "This acquisition accelerates the modernisation of SAFE by delivering it via our connected access network so organisations can manage physical and digital access through the same governance, risk, and compliance lens. This is the moment when these two worlds will finally speak the same language, and being a part of this industry transformation is precisely why I joined SwiftConnect,” Butler said. The transaction builds on HID’s prior participation in SwiftConnect’s Series B funding round. HID will hold a minority, non-controlling interest in SwiftConnect following close. SwiftConnect is an independent company, controlled and managed by its existing leadership team.

HID, a worldwide pioneer in trusted identity solutions, announces it has signed an agreement to transfer its Workforce Business Unit, which includes its PIAM (HID SAFE) and Visitor Management offerings (HID Visitor Manager and EasyLobby). The agreement contemplates the transfer of the Workforce Business Unit to SwiftConnect, a provider of the connected access network for connecting people to the right place at the right time. "The Workforce Business Unit has been a meaningful part of HID's journey in enabling trusted identity solutions," said Björn Lidefelt, EVP and Head of HID. "Great technology deserves the space to reach its full potential — and SwiftConnect is the right partner to take it there. This is not an ending; it's the beginning of a bolder chapter for these platforms and the people behind them." Visitor management platforms With HID's PIAM and visitor management platforms now part of its portfolio, SwiftConnect will accelerate product development and expand the market reach of these solutions. SwiftConnect's focused expertise will unlock enhanced identity management capabilities for the customers and organisations these platforms serve. Existing HID SAFE, Visitor Manager, and EasyLobby customers will see no disruption to their current deployments and can expect continued investment in product roadmaps, support, and services under SwiftConnect. “HID SAFE platforms are best-in-class, trusted by some of the world’s most security-conscious organisations, and bringing them together with SwiftConnect’s access network completes a story we’ve been building toward — a single, mobile-first identity experience that runs from policy and provisioning to the door, for employees and visitors alike. This isn’t just an acquisition; it’s an acceleration. We’re inheriting an exceptional team and a customer base that deserves continued investment, and we intend to deliver it across commercial real estate, financial services, life sciences, technology, and beyond,” said Chip Kruger and Matt Kopel, Co-CEOs of SwiftConnect. Advancing identity technology This transaction builds on HID's prior participation in SwiftConnect's Series B funding round, deepening a partnership rooted in a shared commitment to advancing identity technology.  As consideration for the transfer of the Workforce Business Unit, HID will receive additional equity in SwiftConnect and will hold a minority, non-controlling interest in SwiftConnect, reflecting continued confidence in the company's direction and growth. SwiftConnect will continue to operate independently, controlled and managed by its existing leadership team and shareholders. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2026.

AMAG Technology, a pioneer in global access and identity solutions, announces an expanded strategic partnership with SwiftConnect, a provider of the connected access network for places and spaces. As part of this expanded collaboration, SwiftConnect will now power Apple Wallet and Google Wallet mobile credential activation across AMAG’s portfolio. This milestone represents a continued acceleration of AMAG’s strategy to deliver modern, mobile-first identity experiences while aligning with best-in-class partners to move faster and execute at the highest level for customers. Scalable digital wallet capabilities By deepening its partnership with SwiftConnect, AMAG is enhancing its ability to deliver seamless, scalable digital wallet capabilities, ensuring customers benefit from specialised expertise and a superior user experience across the entire lifecycle. “We are incredibly excited to expand our relationship with SwiftConnect,” said David Sullivan, CEO and President at AMAG Technology. “This allows us to accelerate innovation and deliver a truly best-in-class digital wallet experience. It’s about aligning with the right partners to build something exceptional for our customers.” User-centric access solutions SwiftConnect’s expertise in mobile access and wallet technologies will strengthen AMAG’s broader platform, supporting enterprise, critical infrastructure, and commercial customers as they transition to more flexible, secure, and user-centric access solutions. “AMAG is setting the standard for what modern access should feel like, and SwiftConnect is proud to serve as the mobile wallet platform powering its Apple Wallet and Google Wallet experience,” said Matt Kopel, Co-CEO at SwiftConnect. “As the connected access network, we make access feel effortless for every person, across every space — replacing friction with fluidity, without proprietary lock-in.” Partner-driven approach At the core of this announcement is AMAG’s commitment to an open, partner-driven approach to innovation. At AMAG, openness is not just about compatibility; it is about intentional collaboration. The company builds its platform through a curated ecosystem of technology partners, each bringing best-in-class capabilities. True openness is about unlocking possibilities and creating solutions that evolve faster, integrate more deeply, and perform better for customers. Bringing together strategic partners This philosophy reflects a broader shift in how AMAG brings solutions to market, prioritising speed, innovation, and customer outcomes over traditional, closed approaches. “This is bigger than a single product or feature,” added Jennifer Marx, Executive Vice President-Product Management at AMAG Technology. "It reflects our core belief that the best solutions come from intentional collaboration, bringing together strategic partners who are leaders in what they do. That's how we show up in the market: open-minded, forward-looking, and relentlessly focused on delivering best-in-class experiences. That's the future we're building, together."

The security landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, as evidenced by the innovations showcased at the ISC West Expo 2026. From dismantling of silos between physical and digital security to the ongoing transition to cloud and hybrid platforms, much of the discussion on the show floor was familiar, if somehow more urgent than ever. Clearly the industry is moving toward unified, cloud-native, and highly automated ecosystems. In a series of deep-dive meetings and demonstrations at the recent show, I got a first-hand glimpse of the future of the physical security marketplace. Spoiler alert: The future is now! HID Global: Tearing down the silos HID Global is addressing the long-requested convergence of physical and digital security. Recognising that the industry has historically operated in silos, HID is now leading with a combined implementation team to leverage the power of both sides. HID is supporting the transition by combining its logical and physical security teams to help end users design secure, end-to-end journeys for their employees. By leveraging its massive existing footprint in physical access, HID is uniquely positioned to help organisations upgrade their cybersecurity posture without a total "rip and replace" of their hardware. HID is seeing a surge in demand for converged credentials that unite building access with digital identity. On the digital front, HID has implemented FIDO (Fast Identity Online) and passkeys to replace traditional passwords with more secure, biometric-backed authentication methods. Acre Security: Bridging the gap to the cloud Acre Security previewed a cloud-native video solution, reinforcing its cloud-first security strategyAcre Security is currently consolidating brands, bringing established names like Feenics and AccessIt under a single corporate umbrella. A primary theme for the company at ISC West is the migration of legacy systems to modern infrastructure. To facilitate the transition, they are launching "The Bridge," a technology designed to help on-premise customers transition to the cloud at a pace that suits their operational needs. The company is also expanding its portfolio into video. Attendees at the show received a preview of a new cloud-native video solution slated for release later this year, signaling Acre’s commitment to a holistic, cloud-first security suite. Acoem: Real-time acoustic threat detection With a 35-year foundation in vibration and acoustics—including military sniper detection—Acoem is providing gunshot detection through edge processing. Unlike systems that rely on the cloud and may suffer from latency, Acoem’s technology processes data at the sensor level for instant alerts. Their sensors are engineered for massive outdoor spaces, covering a 500-foot radius (roughly 11 football fields) and can detect high-powered rifle shots from up to half a mile away. The system provides critical intelligence by distinguishing between muzzle blasts and "mach noise" from bullet travel, delivering an audio file to the end-user that maps the location and direction of the threat. They use AI to filter out environmental false positives, such as skateboards hitting metal rails. Alarm.com: The all-in-one dealer ecosystem Beyond hardware, Alarm.com is leveraging AI to streamline the sales process Alarm.com is doubling down on "giving tools to dealers to help them be successful," with a focus on unified commercial solutions. A highlight at ISC West is their new fire communicator, which integrates fire monitoring into their single app, completing what they call the "fourth leg of the stool." The product allows fire systems to benefit from the same real-time customer engagement and push notifications that have long been available for intrusion and video. The key products, such as commercial-grade hardware, are now available for immediate purchase. Beyond hardware, Alarm.com is leveraging AI to streamline the sales process. Their new AI Proposal Builder uses customer meeting notes to automatically generate customised, value-driven sales proposals for dealers. Allegion: A global shift in credentialing Following the acquisition of ELATEC, Allegion is adopting a more global market approach and expanding its OEM business. The company is involved in the development of Aliro, the newly unveiled mobile credentialing standard. Allegion’s strategy is built on versatility: While Aliro serves the burgeoning mobile market, they also offer PKOC for plastic cards, allowing them to provide solutions regardless of the user's preferred credential type. The ELATEC acquisition has effectively filled previous gaps in their use-case portfolio, positioning them as a comprehensive provider for both physical and digital access needs. AtlasIED: Engineering for life safety Transitioning from audio to a fully automated threat detection company, AtlasIED showcased its new IPX line at ISC West. This modular platform uses a single PoE++ port to power various "plug-and-play" modules, allowing for easy system upgrades. Their gun detection technology achieves a 99% confidence rating by "stacking" AI models; it cross-references audio data with infrared signatures to detect muzzle flashes and air quality sensors for particulates. With systems already running in 80% of U.S. international airports, the company maintains 24/7 domestic engineering support to manage these "life-safety adjacent" environments. Axis Communications: Unifying connectivity Axis Communications is advancing network video with 4G/5G surveillance, reducing cabling needs Axis Communications continues to lead in network video, with a new focus on offering surveillance through 4G and 5G networks to eliminate the need for extensive cabling in long-range applications. Axis also introduced several specialised hardware pieces, including the P1486-LE global shutter camera for high-speed traffic monitoring and the Q2802-TE, which integrates thermal and visual monitoring into a single unit.  To assist technicians, they launched a new installer app that uses Bluetooth for easier camera pairing and management directly from a mobile device. Axon: De-escalation through enterprise wearables Focusing on frontline safety, Axon is expanding from law enforcement into the enterprise sector with its retail and healthcare-focused body camera. Weighing only 0.25 lb, these cameras are designed to be less intimidating, using colorful designs and acting as a primary de-escalator for aggressive behavior. A clear front display signals when recording is active, striking a balance between safety and a non-intimidating appearance. These devices feature live-streaming and panic alarms that connect workers to a Global Security Operations Center (GSOC). To ensure the footage is legally viable, Axon maintains a rigorous audit trail that authenticates every action recorded. Genetec: The value of the unified platform Genetec is advocating for unified platforms that reduce the time between incident detection and resolution. They argue that AI is becoming a commodity and that the true value lies in unified platforms that reduce the time from incident to resolution. Their approach emphasises the "outcomes" customers need, such as allowing security teams to coalesce around an investigation quickly. Genetec remains a strong supporter of open systems for enterprise customers, ensuring they have the choice to integrate diverse technologies rather than being locked into a manufacturer’s “walled garden.” This flexibility is critical for high-end security environments that require tailored, responsive systems. Johnson Controls: Large-scale enterprise solutions Johnson Controls has made a significant push into the enterprise video market with C-Cure IQ, a standalone VMS designed for major hubs like airports and large campuses. Through a partnership with Scylla, they have integrated 11 advanced analytics—including facial recognition and weapons detection—directly into their cameras. They also showcased new multi-sensor panoramic cameras capable of "stitching" multiple images into a single 360-degree view. While innovating in video, Johnson Controls also confirmed modern upgrades to their intrusion line, including their legacy DSC Neo line. The new DSC PowerSeries Neo 5, a high-end residential and commercial platform, features an all-new user interface and built-in PowerG+. They have also begun shipping the IQ5 family lineup, which is powered by a Qualcomm DragonWing processor.  ONVIF: Standardising the future of AI and cloud ONVIF continues to lead the charge in establishing common languages for the security industry. A major focus is their new "Cloud Profile," which enables cameras to connect directly to the cloud through a standardised protocol. They are also expanding into audio standards to ensure IP-based speakers can seamlessly connect to Video Management Systems (VMS). To combat the rise of sophisticated digital manipulation, ONVIF is developing "video signing" standards. ONVIF is actively seeking more diverse enterprise participation to help shape these emerging AI standardsThis feature protects the integrity of video for evidentiary purposes by embedding a digital signature and timestamp directly into the footage at the camera level. Additionally, the organisation has formed an AI Working Group to develop common communication methods for "AI agents" within physical security systems. ONVIF is actively seeking more diverse enterprise participation to help shape these emerging AI standards. Roberto Licari is the new ONVIF Ambassador, seeking to attract new companies (even outside the security sector) to ONVIF as they look to expand their offerings. SwiftConnect: Bridging digital and physical identity SwiftConnect is redefining access control by shifting the focus from physical cards to digital identity. As a cloud-based "connected access network," the platform bridges the gap between IT identity providers (like Okta or Azure AD) and legacy physical access control systems. At the show's Security Experience Center demonstrations, SwiftConnect showcased its ability to integrate mobile credentials within Apple and Google Wallets across multiple technology platforms. By aligning physical security with Zero Trust principles, they ensure that access is governed by the same rigorous standards as digital networks. Their software-centric approach allows for a more seamless employee experience while simplifying the management of complex, multi-site building security. This emphasises a future where the mobile device becomes the primary tool for navigating the physical workspace. Wasabi Technologies: Redefining cloud storage economics With cloud technology becoming a baseline requirement at every booth, Wasabi Technologies highlighted its "hot cloud storage" as a cost-effective alternative to major hyperscalers. Their model claims to be 80% less expensive than competitors, notably removing hidden fees. Wasabi is increasingly bundled at the "back end" of security solutions through partnerships with integrators and end users. A key feature for law enforcement and high-security sectors is their "Object Lock" capability, which ensures that video evidence remains untampered with and immutable during defined retention periods. By providing high-performance storage without the unpredictable costs typically associated with the cloud, Wasabi is positioning itself as the foundational layer for data-heavy video surveillance applications that require long-term, secure retention. Wasabi is positioning itself as the foundational layer for data-heavy video surveillance applications ZKTeco USA: Versatile and integrated access ZKTeco USA showcased a range of integrated solutions, including turnstiles, visitor management, and access control. Their Atlas access control series offers versatility, supporting everything from traditional readers and keypads to QR codes and fingerprint scanning, with the flexibility to operate on-premise or in the cloud. For tight environments, they introduced the Mars 100 turnstile, which features a compact 2x3-foot footprint. They also highlighted the Omni series, an all-in-one standalone reader-controller that manages access, intercom, and visitor functions in a single device. Innovation in portability was evident in their new walk-through metal detectors, which consist of two poles with an 8-hour battery life—ideal for schools and temporary events. While they offer their own Armatura readers, ZKTeco emphasised that their solutions can integrate with other industry leaders to fit diverse customer needs.