By Luke Fitzpatrick
Two of the most vital physical security investments that organizations can make are in cutting-edge video security and access control technologies. Integrating these tools can transform a business’s security posturing, as well as their ROI and the efficiency of their security responses.
In today’s fast-paced, highly digitized world, the problem with outdated, stand-alone access control systems is that they only provide half of the data required for optimal security. Scanning security credentials that allow access without video monitoring ultimately leaves the business vulnerable to being accessed by someone other than the authorized credential holder.
Thanks to the advancements in cloud-based solutions and IoT (the Internet of Things) integrations, there are smarter and more streamlined options available to make security technologies more effective than ever before. The future of optimal access control technologies is to unify them with video tech for maximum intelligence.
Multifaceted identification at key entry points
It’s true that the technology driving access control systems today affords a great deal of security benefits, but ultimately, without merging them with video surveillance, there is an avoidable gap being left in the authentication process.
Enabling visual identity verification when someone is at the door and/or about to enter doubles down on the security measures being taken by other access control system features. Door readers should feature video capabilities at every important entry point of an organization’s premise.
Cloud-based integrations for even smarter features
Many organizations cannot have screens physically monitored 24/7, and this is where unifying video and access control technologies and integrating cloud-based solutions make all the difference. Decentralizing the monitoring of security measures and implementing automated alert systems allows security teams to focus their time more effectively elsewhere.
Modern technology for video security can integrate hardware and software features, such as smart detection and infrared sensors, to optimize the efficiency and accuracy of remote system management.
Not only are more and more organizations adopting this integrated approach to improve their cyber and physical security measures, but giants in the industry are making moves that clearly demonstrate the future impact of merging video identification technology with access control systems.
Merging video and access control is highly relevant to the future of security
In 2021, Chicago-based Motorola Solutions officially acquired a cloud-based mobile access control provider, Openpath Security Inc. At the forefront of mission-critical communications and analytics, Motorola prides itself on leading the way into a new era in public security and safety.
“Securing businesses around the world has never been more critical,” said Greg Brown, chairman and CEO of Motorola Solutions. “This acquisition enables us to combine the power of video security and access control together, providing unprecedented situational awareness, where every physical entry and exit is authenticated and recorded with access control and video.”
Motorola Solutions, the successor of Motorola Inc., specializes in developing communications services and products for law enforcement, first responders, and critical infrastructure personnel.
The company began talking with Openpath about a potential acquisition in early 2021, and these talks quickly transitioned into serious negotiations, resulting in an official acquisition announcement by July of that year.
“With Motorola Solutions, we will continue to pioneer the future of the access control industry,” said Alex Kazerani, the CEO of Openpath. “We couldn’t be more excited to work together in bringing best-in-class, innovative solutions to organizations around the world to make their business a safer place to be.”
Openpath was initially developed in 2016 by tech startup entrepreneurs Alex Kazerani and James Segil. The company then launched its keyless access product several years later.
The future of security is cloud-based
Utilizing a cloud-based system, Openpath enables authorized individuals to use a credential-encrypted app and wave their phone or hand across an access portal, allowing them access to the commercial building.
Openpath’s cloud-based access control solution allows business owners, landlords, and commercial building managers/owners to have 24/7 access to real-time information regarding the number of employees or visitors inside a particular space, including their identity. The product also allows for remote control over the locking and opening of doors. In addition, Openpath recently launched a new product to the range, adding a video reader to the suite of access control system options they offer.
Latest in a string of physical security acquisitions
Motorola’s acquisition of Openpath follows a consistent line of company purchases that focus on video and physical security. Since 2015, Motorola Solutions has invested over $4 billion in acquisitions, purchasing companies such as WatchGuard, Avigilon, and Pelco Enterprises – all key players in the physical security industry.
These investments have firmly positioned Motorola as a leader in the physical security sector. The addition of Openpath assists Motorola in scaling their keyless access control technologies to commercial premises globally, providing frictionless access to employees and consumers worldwide.
Motorola senior vice president John Kedzierski told Spectrum News, “We couldn’t be more excited to add them to our portfolio.” He declined, however, to make any comment as to the price of the acquisition.
The terms of the deal outline that Openpath will become part of Motorola’s analytics, video security, and access control department. The founders of Openpath, Alex Kazerani, and James Segil will head Motorola Solution’s access control department and report to Kedzierski.
No stopping tech startup entrepreneurs
For the Openpath founders, this latest acquisition is the fourth tech startup they have successfully built from nothing and sold in the market. Before Openpath, Kazerani and Segil co-founded a content delivery network called ‘Edgecast Networks’, which they then sold to Verizon for $400 million in 2013. Safe to say that these partners are serial entrepreneurs.
Openpath has been consistently raising funds. Most recently achieved $36 million in funds raised during the pandemic — demonstrating that contactless and touchless access technologies could quickly become necessary as we navigate out of Covid’s grip and beyond.
A highly scalable pairing
There is currently a massive demand for contactless products and technologies, with hygiene and security at the forefront of everyone’s minds as we return to our places of business. This business pairing positions both to fulfill these trending commercial security needs on a grand scale.
This pairing will enable countless businesses worldwide 24/7 access to the visibility of their secure access points from anywhere in the world and allow them to provide frictionless access experiences operated by a mobile application.
Motorola and Openpath represent a combined leadership in access control and video security that will allow Motorola Solutions to expand its support to enterprise clients with superior security solutions.
Merging technologies to create powerful unified solutions
The future of security tech is firmly in the hands of cloud-based solutions, and smart designs that can integrate seamlessly with one another to create unified security systems that are more secure than ever thought possible.
Unifying video tech with access security solutions is one of the first important steps in this highly integrated tech-solution trajectory, and it’s starting to feel like the possibilities moving forward are limitless.
About the author
Luke Fitzpatrick has been published in Forbes, Yahoo News and Influencive. He is also a guest lecturer at the University of Sydney, lecturing in Cross-Cultural Management and the Pre-MBA Program.