Mercury Report Reveals Key Trends Shaping the Future of Access Control
Mercury Security has released its 2025 Trends in Access Controllers Report, highlighting key developments in the design and deployment of physical access control systems (PACS). The findings emphasize the growing strategic importance of controllers within enterprise security infrastructure, as organizations across sectors work to modernize their access control strategies in response to evolving technology and operational demands.
The report drew insights from a diverse group of more than 450 security professionals, including administrators (50%), end users (23%) and partners such as systems integrators, consultants and OEMs (27%). Respondents represented a range of industries with high security demands, including higher education, healthcare, government, finance and K-12 education.
According to the report, 72% of respondents identified the controller as a critical or important component in PACS design. More than just a conduit between readers and backend systems, today’s controllers serve as the enforcement point for access policies and play a central role in verifying user credentials — whether through traditional ID badges, biometrics or mobile identities.
The findings emphasize that selecting the right controller platform is no longer a tactical IT decision but a key part of a broader physical security strategy.
The company cited the following five key trends reshaping physical access controller design and selection:
Security-first thinking: 90% of respondents say staying aligned with cybersecurity standards is essential. More than 71% cite advanced protection — secure boot, OSDP, cryptography — as a top decision driver.
Mobile and cloud integration: 55% seek controller compatibility with other credentials, including mobile credentials. Over half (52%) report cloud enablement as critical for scalability, real-time monitoring and remote management.
Reliability is non-negotiable: 63% rank reliability and uptime as the most important criteria in controller selection, far outweighing cost or feature specifications.
Backward and forward compatibility: 86% require controllers that support long-term infrastructure planning through compatibility with past and future systems.
Interoperability and open architecture: 76% cite interoperability with mixed-device environments as essential, underscoring the shift toward flexible, standards-based systems.
What Integrators Need to Know
For systems integrators, the report highlights a persistent gap between what security stakeholders want from access controllers and what’s actually deployed in the field. While reliability, cybersecurity and cost-effectiveness rank as the top purchasing priorities, nearly a quarter of respondents said their current systems lack key features such as a user-friendly interface, cloud enablement or even basic cybersecurity protections.
This disconnect highlights a clear opportunity for integrators to educate end users on the benefits of modern controllers, according to the report. As platforms increasingly support edge processing, mobile credentials and seamless integration with video, alarms and building automation systems, integrators can play a leading role in guiding system upgrades.
The report also underscores how controller selection is increasingly tied to broader infrastructure strategies. With 86% of respondents citing backward and forward compatibility as vital, integrators are being asked to design systems that can accommodate legacy hardware while remaining flexible enough to adopt emerging technologies like AI and IoT.
A phased migration approach — prioritizing form, fit and function — can help clients modernize without major capital disruptions. Controllers that support standards-based interoperability not only future-proof installations but also reduce long-term costs and integration headaches across multi-vendor environments, according to the report.
To download the full report, go here.
