Mercury Security, an HID brand specializing in open architecture access control hardware, has released its 2026 Trends in Access Controllers Report, highlighting the growing importance of access controllers as organizations modernize physical security infrastructure.
Based on a global survey of 561 physical security and cybersecurity professionals, the report found that 78% consider controllers important or critical to their physical access control system (PACS) strategy, up from 72% in 2025.
The findings point to a shift in how organizations view access controllers as infrastructure connecting devices, systems, and applications across the security environment.
Cybersecurity and interoperability remain priorities
Cybersecurity emerged as a major gap between requirements and existing infrastructure. 32% of respondents said cybersecurity features are missing from their current controller systems, compared with 21% in 2025. Meanwhile, 74% said coordination between cybersecurity and IT has become more complex.
Interoperability is also influencing purchasing decisions, with 69% identifying it as a critical factor in controller procurement. In addition, 82% said backward and forward compatibility is important to future infrastructure planning, reflecting demand for modernization without requiring organizations to replace existing systems entirely.
Mobile credentials are another factor, with 50% of respondents already using or planning to adopt mobile solutions. Meanwhile, 46% ranked mobile credential integration among trends influencing controller purchases.
Cloud and AI reshape controller requirements
Cloud connectivity was cited by 56% of respondents as a factor influencing controller purchases, up from 50% in 2025. However, only 41% said their controllers are currently cloud-enabled, while 26% identified cloud enablement as a missing capability.
The report also highlights growing interest in AI-enabled security applications. Behavioral analysis and anomaly detection increased from 44% in 2025 to 56% in 2026. Facial recognition was cited by 60%, while 50% identified predictive security and threat prevention.
These applications are increasing the importance of processing power, storage, connectivity, cybersecurity, and integration capabilities when organizations select controller infrastructure.
More than 39% of respondents are exploring or have adopted edge computing within their security ecosystems, while 41% have integrated controller data with building occupancy and utilization programs.
According to Mercury Security, the findings indicate that controller selection is increasingly becoming a long-term infrastructure decision, with organizations balancing cybersecurity and reliability with interoperability, cloud connectivity, AI capabilities, and gradual modernization.
