HID Global: Rethinking Physical Access Control in the Age of Cyber Threats

Security has become a top agenda item in boardrooms across the Middle East. As the region undergoes rapid digital transformation, the once-clear boundaries between cyber and physical threats are dissolving, creating a complex and evolving risk landscape. The integration of physical access control systems with broader cybersecurity strategies is no longer a luxury; it is a strategic imperative.

By: Sam Cherif, Sr. Director, Regional Business Head, MEA

Recent statistics paint a stark picture of the escalating threat landscape. IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report 2025 found that the average cost of a data breach globally has reached $4.4 million. In the Middle East, this figure stands at around $7.1 million, highlighting the region’s heightened vulnerability and the significant financial repercussions that organizations face from cyber incidents. HID’s 2024 State of Physical Access Trend Report also found that the threat is tangible and growing, with 76% of IT leaders reporting a rise in threats to physical security systems over the past year.

Furthermore, the World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2024 projects that cybercrime costs are set to nearly double over the next three years, largely fueled by vulnerabilities in outdated systems. These alarming statistics reveal a critical gap: many organizations are failing to connect their physical security infrastructure to their overall cybersecurity posture. In fact, HID’s research found that 28% of organizations still rely on outdated and easily compromised magnetic stripe technology. This reliance on legacy systems creates a gaping vulnerability that cybercriminals can and will exploit.

Bridging the Digital and Physical Divide

To effectively keep hackers out and assets safe, organizations must adopt a robust and holistic approach to physical access control systems (PACS). As highlighted in our PACS Perspectives Report: Bridging the digital and physical divide, this requires careful consideration of several key areas. First, in a connected environment, PACS devices are no longer static. The ability to securely update and upgrade these devices remotely via a cloud service is a game-changer. This enables organizations to maintain the highest level of security by ensuring their systems are always running the latest firmware, patching vulnerabilities in real-time, and adapting to new threats without requiring on-site intervention.

Second, the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) capabilities is becoming more common, enhancing operational precision and efficiency. IBM found that organizations that extensively deployed security AI and automation across their operations saved an average of $2.2 million on breach costs compared with those that did not – a clear demonstration of the ROI that advanced PACS technologies can deliver when implemented correctly.

Mobile Access

Finally, the evolution toward mobile access is fundamentally reshaping how people interact with secure spaces. In fact, nearly 80% of organizations plan to deploy mobile IDs within the next five years, with 39% already using them today, according to HID’s State of PACS survey. Organizations across sectors are increasingly recognizing that mobile access doesn’t just offer convenience; it brings stronger protection through encrypted communication, instant credential revocation, and even biometric verification. These are all features that physical cards cannot match.

Take, for example, HID Mobile Access. This solution empowers users to unlock doors, gates, networks, and systems using their smartphones, tablets, or wearables, eliminating the need for traditional physical cards. By transforming the smartphone into a secure credential, organizations gain a more flexible, convenient, and sustainable way to manage identity while strengthening security through multi-factor authentication and encrypted communication channels.

Another important innovation is the use of mobile credentials within digital wallets, which is redefining access and identity experiences across campuses, enterprises, and public spaces. Across the Middle East, digital wallets are seeing rapid adoption as users embrace mobile-first solutions that combine ease of use with high security. In fact, in the GCC region alone, mobile wallet usage is booming, with 38 million users in 2024 and a projected market value of $932 million by 2030. With solutions like HID Mobile Credentials, employees, tenants, and guests can use their digital wallets, whether on Android devices or on their iPhones, to securely enter buildings, open doors, move through turnstiles, or access specific floors with a simple tap near a reader. This seamless experience enhances both security and convenience, eliminating the need for physical cards while meeting modern expectations for connected, contactless environments.

Partnering for a Secure Future

Selecting the right PACS partner is just as critical as selecting the right technology. HID understands that organizations need more than just hardware and software; they need a trusted ally who can help them navigate today’s complex security landscape with confidence. Every day, millions of people in more than 100 countries rely on HID’s products and services to securely access physical and digital spaces.

As a trusted supplier for organizations of all sizes, HID has the cybersecurity standards, policies, procedures, and frameworks in place to help our customers stay protected. By moving beyond the traditional notion of physical security and embracing an intelligent and digitally-enabled approach, it can build a more resilient and secure world for everyone.

About HID

HID’s trusted identity solutions give people convenient access to physical and digital places and connect things that can be identified, verified, and tracked digitally. Millions of people around the world use HID products and services to navigate their everyday lives, and billions of things are connected through its technology. The company works with governments, educational institutions, hospitals, financial institutions, industrial businesses, and some of the most innovative companies on the planet. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, it has over 4,500 employees worldwide and operates international offices that support more than 100 countries. HID is an ASSA ABLOY Group brand