PIAM Trends

Physical Identity and Access Management Trends

When we look back at 2021, we believe that this year will be remembered in many ways and not only because of the Corona pandemic, but also for a huge number of digital developments that are shaping the new normal at an enormous pace. Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) is part of these digital dynamics. Topics such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Mobile Credentials, and Data Driven Decisions will determine future trends and developments.

The centralised management of access rights is still the core task for modern access management systems, which are then passed on to access control systems for further processing. But smart solutions for digital identity and access management offer many more possibilities for new application scenarios and at the same time more efficiency, increased security, predictive control, and planning.

User Self Service portal that is already shipped to many companies is just one example. It reduces the administrative workload for companies in all aspects of access control. It provides the required functionalities through a Smartphone App that increases user convenience and user acceptance too.

The Smartphone will become an ID Card

User Self Services and Smartphone Apps are making “Access Control in your pocket” possible. They open physical and digital locks and are increasingly replacing classic ID cards. In contrast to the ID cards, smartphones and smartwatches are now indispensable everyday companions for many people, because ID cards are repeatedly forgotten, lost, or even stolen.

Smart devices are also impressive when it comes to security. In an App, different security layers can be easily implemented, and keys can be stored in a secure area (secure element) of the smartphone. The motto "mobile first" will also apply to access control in the future.

A Modern PIAM System means true Value Addition

A modern PIAM system meets the new digital requirements and customs in many ways. Nowadays, companies need solutions that offer them more flexibility and independence from their existing infrastructure, allow processes and compliance rules to be implemented and audited easily, quickly, and reliably.

One example of this would be the introduction of the 3G rule for the workplace. Companies had to ensure in a short time frame that only vaccinated, recovered, or tested persons can enter the company premises. With a flexible software platform such as the Online Card Management System (OCMS), additional work, delays and long queues for access control could be avoided and the new regulations could be quickly and efficiently implemented.

Access Management for hybrid work places

A hybrid working model i.e. switching between home office and on-site presence, is the working model of the future. Companies will eventually reduce office space. In the future, to optimally plan and provide available workstations and meeting rooms, the presence of employees and visitors will have to be managed more intelligently.

With smart access management and based on existing historical data, visitor flows and the number of present employees can be accurately forecasted. Thanks to intelligent access monitoring, companies can see the utilization of buildings and locations in real time and can block already occupied buildings for visitors, automatically release access to buildings with free capacity, and can redirect visitor flows.

Artificial Intelligence and Data Driven Decisions

Artificial intelligence (AI) and data driven decisions are therefore also playing an increasingly important role in the field of Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM). They do not only enable flexible and predictive control and planning of visitor and employee flows. They also ensure greater security and effectiveness during the assignment of authorizations.

Smart access management does not work with a rigid, role-based concept for access control. A modern system uses existing data to provide support in decision making and suggestions for the assignment of authorizations. Thanks to intelligent monitoring e.g. patterns that deviate from the standard can be detected, security risks can be identified more quickly, and appropriate measures such as the automatic revocation of access authorizations can be initiated.

The use of so-called Mobile Credentials helps this development even further. By means of such mobile keys, authorizations can be restricted in terms of time and space. In this way, companies can control which people have access to which location and at what time. Mobile credentials offer unimagined possibilities that will not only increase security, but also user friendliness. Moreover, this complies with data protection regulations and is easy to audit too.

Independent of what the digital future will be and in order to ensure that companies are well prepared for the growing and new requirements, the development of modern PIAM systems will continue and will not stand still.