The Real Change That Cloud-Native Access Control Platforms Are Bringing

What is “Cloud-Native”? How did COVID-19 reshape access control management? Why are legacy access control systems falling behind in today’s distributed world? Can physical security keep up with digital transformation? This article will break down what cloud-native access control really means, how it differs from legacy or cloud-hosted systems, and why it’s quickly becoming one of the most critical parts of modern security operations.

The onset of the pandemic not only altered our work locations but also transformed the management practices of security personnel. Maria Lopez is the security director of an expanding healthcare network, and she has witnessed this directly. As her group swiftly established new clinics, she was compelled to reevaluate their approach to physical access. Her legacy access control system requires on-site servers, manual upgrades, and frequent travel solely for credential changes. It became evident to her that this model could not maintain pace. She began seeking a more efficient method to rapidly scale access control, manage users remotely, and integrate security with standard business processes —a realization now acknowledged by many enterprises across all sectors.

Cloud-Native Specific

Cloud-native access control makes this possible. These systems are not simply cloud-hosted software. They are designed explicitly for cloud operation with more contemporary technology, which allows them to expand, integrate, and adapt far more rapidly than their legacy (on-prem) or cloud-hosted equivalents. Conventional systems may transition to cloud servers, but that doesn’t change the fact that they continue to depend on cumbersome, monolithic software that requires manual updates and local infrastructure. Cloud-native platforms utilize APIs, containers, and microservices to maintain agility and resilience. They are engineered for optimal uptime, automated updates, and seamless integration from the outset.  If you’re unfamiliar with containerization and microservices, it’s worth its read; it is, quite simply, the future. 

“We are transitioning from systems tailored for security specialists to intuitive platforms manageable by IT professionals,” says Sean Peterson, Director of Product, Marketing, and Support at Aiphone.

Cloud-native systems eliminate the need to install servers at each location. For Maria, this meant she could establish access control for new facilities within days rather than weeks. New locations can be preconfigured and activated remotely, conserving time and circumventing logistical challenges. However, it's more about team adaptability, rather than launching a new site quickly. Cloud-native solutions enable businesses to scale without requiring changes to hardware or IT architecture. Imagine being given a five-site expansion to manage right now… No problem at all. Merging into fewer offices? Just change permissions and access points through the dashboard.

Centralized management is just as important here. Maria and her staff can now oversee and regulate access across numerous clinics from a centralized dashboard, enabling real-time modifications without departing from the office. This "single pane of glass" enables security personnel to give or revoke access, respond to alerts, and evaluate trends from a unified interface. A previous client of mine, a retail corporation that transitioned to a unified cloud-based platform, saw a reduction of approximately 50% in its daily security management workload by changing its workflows and adopting a converged and unified approach. This is extremely valuable in sectors where staff turnover is common. Universities have thousands of users to manage each semester, and these Cloud-native systems allow the effortless onboarding and termination of access in synchronization with enrollment workflows. 

Maintenance Made Easy

There is a significant difference in how these systems handle maintenance. Legacy systems require scheduled upgrades, IT coordination, and system interruptions. Cloud-native infrastructure has automatic updates. It's always current, always secure, and always available. Security teams utilizing cloud-native solutions often employ a continuous delivery strategy, which eliminates the need to wait for quarterly software rollouts or manually address vulnerabilities. New features are integrated effortlessly, and essential security updates are automatically implemented throughout the entire system. For resource-limited teams, this results in more time devoted to strategy and less time on managing obsolete infrastructure.

These solutions can even interface directly with HR systems, video management, analytics tools, and visitor applications. The system automatically activates an individual's access upon hiring. When they leave, it can immediately revoke their access, without any delays or errors

A great example of this is a logistics company that can integrate access and video via the cloud, identifying anomalies in access and entry patterns associated with internal theft, allowing them to intervene much sooner than before. Assume a facility employs a human resources system, a visitor management platform, and a video surveillance network. A cloud-native access solution can integrate all of them. After onboarding a new employee, access is granted according to their department and the schedule they are assigned to. If an employee attempts to enter a restricted area, the VMS will document and flag the occurrence, triggering an automated notification to their supervisor. This can occur autonomously, without human involvement; it’s all about process management, but more importantly, having the time to do it, which can be achieved when you shift your workload away from the heavy load of managing an on-premises or hybrid system. 

Data in the Clouds

The idea of storing key access data in the cloud makes some risk-averse teams nervous, and for specific niche industries in critical infrastructure, it is impossible. A true cloud-native platform has E2EE (end-to-end encryption), MFA (multi-factor authentication), and RBP (role-based permissions), as well as certifications used by banking and IT systems in the healthcare sector. Suppose the provider meets standards such as SOC 2 or ISO 27001 and agrees to sign data processing agreements. In that case, cloud-based solutions can offer stronger security than the patchwork of local server systems used by most businesses today.

The next big concern is internet disruptions. However, cloud-native services generally provide offline modes that enable local hardware to persist in allowing or denying access based on cached credentials. Once the connection is back up, all data synchronizes and updates automatically. Most solutions also provide cellular failover or hybrid alternatives just in case you have a location with unreliable connections.

One of the biggest misconceptions about cloud-native systems is that not all card readers or controllers will be compatible. Of course, organizations must assess their infrastructure and identify reusable components. The reality is that many cloud-native platforms accept standard protocols and hardware such as Mercury or OSDP. Retrofitting is usually very feasible, and incremental upgrades allow you to transition progressively rather than all at once.

Now, here's a significant caveat: the subscription pricing model necessitates a shift in mentality from what most end-users are accustomed to. Organizations pay a monthly cost based on the number of doors or users, rather than purchasing hardware and licenses upfront. This transitions security from a capital expenditure to an operating expenditure. While some in the industry dislike the idea of recurring monthly expenses, others believe that the elimination of server maintenance, travel time, and system downtime significantly compensates.

Open It Up!

That brings us to the last red flag, so to speak, vendor lock-in.  While most of the industry has moved away from this in favor of open integration and API-enabled frameworks, some manufacturers still restrict your ability to export data or interface with external systems. It is essential to prioritize suppliers that endorse open APIs and maintain transparent data ownership policies. Selecting a platform with an open architecture ensures flexibility and longevity, eliminating the need for ongoing support from a hardware manufacturer for discontinued devices.

So, what lies ahead? These days that’s harder than ever to predict but, based on my experience and current clients I can confidently say the following: mobile credentials are supplanting plastic badges, AI-driven analytics are being implemented to identify irregularities such as tailgating or after-hours access and cybersecurity systems are increasingly integrating with access control to enable zero trust models, which maintain both physical and digital identities simultaneously. Teams gain more visibility, power, and time to focus on strategy instead of troubleshooting outdated systems. The shift is occurring across various industries, including healthcare, logistics, education, retail, and others. Organizations are realizing that cloud-native systems help them respond faster, scale smarter, and adapt to whatever comes next.

As Steve Van Till, the Founder and CEO of Brivo, put it, “Organizations need the ability to manage security and access control remotely… this is accomplished through the cloud.

For security professionals contemplating their next move, the answer is straightforward. If your current system can't keep up, cloud-native access control might be the direction change you've been looking for.