Interview: We Are Leading the Middle East’s Transition from Plastic Cards to Mobile-First
In an exclusive interview with a&s Middle East, Samir Cherif, Senior Director and Regional Business Head at HID Middle East and Africa, discusses the growing demand for advanced security solutions in the Middle East, highlighting the intersection of technological innovation, sustainability, and convenience in shaping the region’s security landscape
a&s Middle East: As the Senior Director and Regional Business Head at HID Middle East Africa, how do you perceive the current market landscape, especially in the context of the Middle East region?
Cherif: The Middle East region is undergoing substantial infrastructure development, from smart cities to new commercial complexes and buildings, as well as the expansion of critical infrastructure. The region is also experiencing rapid technological advancements, with increasing digitalization across various sectors.
With this, we’re witnessing a growing demand for advanced security solutions, particularly in sectors such as government, finance, and industry. As the Middle East continues to invest in infrastructure development and these smart city initiatives, there’s a heightened focus on enhancing security measures to safeguard critical assets and information.
Added to this is the requirement for greater convenience and the adoption of new technologies which provide an enhanced end-user experience, without compromising on security. We’re also seeing a notable trend toward sustainability among global companies based in the Middle East, driving a heightened emphasis on environmentally friendly practices and solutions within the security sector.
a&s Middle East: Could you elaborate on HID’s strategy for expanding its presence in countries such as UAE and Saudi Arabia, and how it aligns with the company’s broader objectives?
Cherif: First and foremost, we prioritize understanding the unique needs and challenges of these markets through in-depth market research and direct engagement with key stakeholders. This allows us to tailor our product offering to meet the specific needs of customers in the region. By continuously enhancing our product portfolio and capabilities, we’re able to maintain our position as a trusted partner for organizations seeking advanced security solutions.
Aligned with this, is our deep understanding of the market. As we transition into 2024, we forecast continued strong growth in the region and, in line with this, we have strategically allocated additional resources on the ground, to support customers effectively.
Further, we also have a network of strategic partnerships with local distributors – these partnerships enable us to extend our reach and footprint while providing on-the-ground support to our customers.
The Middle East region is undergoing substantial infrastructure development, from smart cities to new commercial complexes and buildings, and the expansion of critical infrastructure
a&s Middle East: In terms of access control, how is HID approaching the industry in 2024, particularly considering the trends and growth observed in the previous year?
Cherif: Our Middle East business saw the largest percentage growth in 2023 and we expect that to continue this year. Our global presence and local offices, in conjunction with our newest logistics center in Ireland—recently created to better support Europe and the MEA regions—will enable us to meet this growth with increased efficiency and capacity.
a&s Middle East: What are some emerging trends in identity solutions that businesses and governments should pay attention to, especially in the context of mobile solutions and biometric authentication?
Cherif: With the rise of digital technologies, such as multi-factor authentication and artificial intelligence, digitization of identities is growing rapidly.
We are seeing this in the region, where our customers have been adopting a mobile-first focus, leveraging technologies such as mobile access, to achieve heightened security, improved operational efficiency, and more convenience. And end users appreciate the convenience that comes with authenticating themselves via a device they already carry (their mobile phone) so we see this trend continuing to grow even more in the future.
Companies are also paying more attention to the balance between going digital and being sustainable. This focus on sustainability is connected to using data and resources efficiently. Access systems are no longer just about building entry and exit. For example, HID Mobile Access technology can be integrated with smart building systems to manage facilities more sustainably with identity positioning. By sharing pertinent occupant data, the smart building system can optimize operational efficiency by adjusting temperature settings accordingly, particularly in underutilized areas of the building. It also provides valuable information regarding space utilization and, coupled with our low-energy readers, contributes to achieving green building goals by reducing overall energy consumption.
Our Middle East business saw the largest percentage growth in 2023 and we expect that to continue this year
a&s Middle East: HID experienced significant growth last year. What are the key factors driving this growth, and how does the company plan to sustain it in the coming year?
Cherif: One of the most important factors is digital transformation. We have all experienced how the introduction of smartphones has shifted how we navigate through our everyday lives. HID Mobile Access represents this shift in terms of accessibility: organizations need efficient and easy ways of managing building access whilst grappling with today’s more strategic challenges such as hybrid work or delivering against stringent environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. So, with sustainability being a core concern for many organizations, as well as for HID, technological innovations that integrate security with intelligent building management systems are taking off.
The need for flexibility is also a driving factor pushing demand. With companies having to operate under tight budgets, it is important to provide solutions that make the migration from older systems to digital IDs easy. There are millions of HID readers installed already that are capable of using HID Mobile Access – either instantly or via a simple on-site upgrade – and so many end users are able to adopt mobile access quickly and efficiently without updating their hardware. We also work with customers to provide a free trial of HID Mobile Access to help demonstrate the value that it can bring across an organization.
This year, we aim to maintain this growth momentum, focusing on expanding in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region. We are increasing our resources in the region, and we have all of our operations tightly adjusted for on-time production and deliveries. Finally, our network of partners and distributors, along with our regional logistic center, will ensure all customers get what they need.
HID’s Shift to Passwordless Authentication
a&s Middle East: HID has traditionally been known for physical access solutions. How has the company transitioned to focus on identity and access management, particularly in the realm of passwordless authentication?
Cherif: We are in the business of trusted identities, so our mission is to ensure all authorized individuals are accessing and being granted the appropriate level of permissions to systems and resources. As you can imagine, this is not just to physical locations via key cards, but also to critical digital resources like banking apps or even immigration systems. In today’s digital world, passwords are increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. HID recognizes this, and passwordless authentication is our answer. While multi-factor methods that include passwords might still have a role, the future lies in multiple and stronger layers of identity verification like fingerprints, facial recognition, or PINs.
a&s Middle East: Could you shed light on HID’s focus on helping customers understand the benefits of merging security and convenience through HID Mobile Access, especially in the context of digital wallets?
Cherif: Mobile devices have become essential components of most people’s daily lives, not just for their intrinsic features but also for the invaluable, convenient benefits they provide. And people always have their devices with them. Using them to access places and move around different parts of the building is a logical next step. Most recently, the integration of employee badges into digital wallets became possible. While digital wallets have been around for payment transactions for some time, today they can do so much more. Digital wallets hold medical prescriptions, travel documents, driver’s licenses, ID cards, insurance information, and employee badges.
With employee badges in digital wallets, employees can access office doors, elevators, turnstiles, multifunction printers, and much more using just their smartphones or smartwatches. Other than enterprises, digital IDs and wallets are also prevalent in the education sector where universities and schools are enabling students and staff to add their IDs or badges to digital wallets on mobile devices. This allows them to easily access buildings on campus and purchase meals using their mobile devices.
The great part is that employee badges in digital wallets integrate into existing access control systems, they are simple to distribute and manage and take advantage of the built-in security features of the devices.
The rise of hybrid work models has been beneficial for us, accelerating the adoption of our mobile access solutions
a&s Middle East: How do you perceive the changing security requirements and policies in hybrid work environments, and what role does HID play in addressing these challenges?
Cherif: The rise of hybrid work models has been beneficial for us, accelerating the adoption of our mobile access solutions in a way we couldn’t have predicted. Flexibility has become paramount with hybrid models blurring the lines between office and home. Employees need seamless access remotely or in the office for a few days. This is where mobile access shines, offering secure and convenient entry via smartphones or wearables.
While some building owners worry about reduced space utilization due to hybrid models, we see a different opportunity. Mobile access, as well as our recently launched Identity Positioning, offers valuable data insights on building usage patterns, allowing for optimized space allocation and resource management. This can lead to cost savings and even the creation of flexible co-working spaces.
a&s Middle East: The integration of employee badges into digital wallets offers several benefits. Could you elaborate on how this integration enhances security, convenience, and sustainability for businesses?
Cherif: This digital experience not only increases operational efficiency but also helps reduce the number of plastic cards that users use and lose, which has a positive impact on sustainability and security. A great example is in the higher-education sector, where universities are taking a mobile-first approach in lieu of plastic cards by offering mobile IDs with the ability to open doors, check out library books, make cafeteria purchases, and more.
In addition, the future generations of employees, such as Gen Z, will drive demand for mobile access as they are generally more environmentally conscious and engaged with the issue of climate change than previous generations. Today, Gen Zers are the biggest users of mobile and related applications, followed by Gen Alpha the expected “super-users” of mobile.
Rise of Mobile Access in the Middle East
a&s Middle East: Will Physical Access Control in the business sector be marked by future-proof solutions and contactless experiences?
Cherif: Definitely – that’s why HID Mobile Access is growing so much in the Middle East and globally. Mobile access utilizes smartphones and other mobile devices as credentials for building entry and access control, so users no longer need to carry physical cards – simplifying access for both employees and visitors. In addition, users have enhanced security due to the multiple protocols and additional encryption layers it offers, plus the fact that people are more guarded over access to their mobile device and quickly notice if it’s missing.
a&s Middle East: What are some of the key advantages of adopting HID Mobile Access with digital wallets, particularly in terms of reducing costs, improving efficiency, and enhancing workplace security?
Cherif: In terms of reducing costs, adopting HID Mobile Access with digital wallets eliminates the need for producing and distributing physical badges, reducing associated costs such as printing, maintenance, and equipment. This shift to digital credentials also aligns with sustainability goals by reducing plastic waste.
Additionally, with badges in digital wallets, card distribution, and management across the entire company is streamlined as there’s no need to print physical cards for employees or guests, who can access places quickly and safely.
Finally, workplace security is enhanced because of two main features: biometric authentication used to unlock the devices, such as facial and fingerprint, adds an extra layer of security to verify the user’s identity; and the encryption technologies used in digital wallets ensure the secure storage and transmission of those digital credentials.
a&s Middle East: How does the HID Origo cloud platform facilitate remote management and updating of credentials, and what certifications validate its secure infrastructure?
Cherif: The cloud platform is where enrollment, provisioning, and authorization of credentials happen, and is a critical element of a robust access control system. HID Origo Mobile Identities is a cloud-based platform that provides integrated access control solutions through a seamless, scalable infrastructure.
Origo improves access control delivery by helping organizations efficiently manage a range of activities around access control, including user enrollment, credential provisioning, lifecycle management, and data privacy. Administrators can easily manage multiple locations or even multiple identities on a single mobile device. The portal simplifies HID mobile access set-up for administrators and end users alike, with convenient, fast provisioning and de-provisioning that can be completed in a few simple steps.
More than this, is also Origo can be seamlessly integrated into existing access control software, through our APIs and SDKs, to provide a single solution for the management of your site and the people in it.
Our customers have been adopting a mobile-first focus, leveraging technologies such as mobile access, to achieve heightened security, improved operational efficiency, and more convenience
a&s Middle East: Considering the shift towards digital credentials and sustainability goals, what role do digital employee ID cards play in helping companies meet their climate change objectives?
Cherif: Digitalization and sustainability are major driving forces for HID, and we’re heavily invested in aligning with these trends. Mobile access is a prime example. By virtualizing credentials, we eliminate plastic waste from traditional cards and reduce shipping needs, minimizing our environmental footprint. This also aligns with the growing consumer preference for convenience and security offered by mobile solutions.
Furthermore, we launched sustainable physical credentials made from bamboo, catering to workplaces and applications where personal devices are restricted. This innovative option further reduces plastic consumption and provides a responsible alternative for environmentally conscious customers. This is also the first in a range of card credentials we will be launching.
Also, our signature line of readers, Signo, offers intelligent power mode, which can reduce electricity consumption by over 40% per reader – particularly significant for large sites that may have 1,000+ readers.
However, our commitment to sustainability extends beyond product development. We optimize our logistics and internal processes to minimize resource usage and emissions. The combination of innovative products, strategic operations, and environmental awareness positions HID as a leader in the access control industry for the digital and sustainable future.
a&s Middle East: Can you discuss HID’s channel community in the Middle East and North Africa regions? How does your company support its regional channel partners?
Cherif: Our channel ecosystem plays a pivotal role in extending our reach, delivering solutions, and providing support to customers across the region.
One way we support these partners is through comprehensive training and certification programs. We understand the importance of equipping our partners with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively sell and support our solutions. Therefore, we offer a range of training programs, both online and in-person, that cover product knowledge, technical skills, sales training, and more.
Channel partners are crucial to our success in the region as they are the ‘storefront’ of our business. In line with this, we have a specially created partner program that provides access to sales and marketing materials, training, and resources – all free of charge.
In addition, we provide our partners with access to sales and marketing resources, including collateral, co-branded materials, and campaigns, to help them effectively market our solutions to their customers. This collaborative approach ensures our partners have the tools and support they need to succeed in the market.
Overall, our approach to partners is centered on collaboration, enablement, and mutual success – reflecting our commitment to building strong, long-lasting partnerships that deliver value to customers and drive collective business growth.
Adopting HID Mobile Access with digital wallets eliminates the need for producing and distributing physical badges, reducing associated costs such as printing and maintenance
a&s Middle East: How will HID ensure that its solutions remain adaptable to evolving customer needs and industry trends, especially in the dynamic landscape of physical security technology?
Cherif: HID goes beyond simply providing out-of-the-box access control solutions. We create a secure and connected ecosystem that is adaptable to evolving technologies and new cultural norms. Our commitment to innovation fuels pioneering solutions like mobile credentials in digital wallets.
Our heavy investment in research and development is closely tied to the latest security and data privacy standards to ensure our products not only stay ahead of the curve but comply with strict industry requirements.
This means we actively participate in shaping the future of secure access control by contributing to industry standardization bodies across every global region. This ensures our solutions are future-proof and compatible with emerging technologies.
Finally, unlike competitors who may lock you into proprietary systems, HID prioritizes flexibility and security. Our open-architecture platform seamlessly integrates with existing infrastructure, regardless of manufacturer, empowering businesses to choose the best fit for their needs.
a&s Middle East: Can you share any insights into HID’s future plans and initiatives in the realm of access control and secure identity issuance, particularly in emerging markets such as the Middle East?
Cherif: Looking ahead, HID’s plans for emerging markets like the Middle East likely involve continuing to educate customers on the benefits of mobile access. This goes beyond simply opening doors; it can provide contactless, secure access to a wide range of devices and services. Imagine employees using a mobile ID for building access, then clocking in at a time-and-attendance terminal, using cashless vending machines, or accessing printers and computers – all with their smartphones. Additionally, HID Mobile Access can extend to parking locations, visitor management systems, and other applications. By promoting the versatility of mobile credentials, HID can empower businesses in the Middle East to streamline workflows, enhance security, and embrace a more convenient and sustainable access control approach.
By virtualizing credentials, we eliminate plastic waste from traditional cards and reduce shipping needs, minimizing our environmental footprint
