FM newsroom – smart building management, security. Access control is rapidly evolving from a simple security measure into the digital backbone of modern buildings. As software-driven systems reshape facility management, identity data is becoming the key to efficiency, sustainability and smarter operations.
The global access control market is expanding fast. This growth reflects how essential modern access systems have become for intelligent building networks, automation and sustainable facility operation.
Memoori’s study shows that more companies are now integrating security platforms with HR, IT and workplace tools to gain value from identity management, analytics and space utilisation – Building. Technology. Solutions. reports. As buildings become smarter and more connected, access control is increasingly positioned as the central digital identity layer.
Inside the Identity Graph
Security technology is shifting fundamentally. Physical access control systems (PACS) are no longer just door management tools—they are evolving into data engines for occupancy insights, workplace optimisation and real-time building responses.
At the centre of this shift is the identity graph: a dynamic model linking personal data, permissions and activity across HR systems, IT directories, booking tools and IoT platforms. This enables buildings to adjust lighting, climate control and lift routing based on who is present, where they are and what rights they hold.
In highly networked facilities, the identity graph serves as the bridge between physical and digital identity. Only with real-time knowledge of people and permissions can automated services function reliably.
Access Data: A Strategic Asset
Nearly half of organisations already use access data to guide space planning, and a third have linked security with HR systems. In hybrid workplaces, access control delivers dependable attendance records and usage patterns.
PACS is now becoming the natural integration point for broader building systems. Physical identity and access management (PIAM) platforms oversee identity lifecycles—from onboarding to the automatic revocation of permissions—while linking lifts, parking, visitor flows and workplace apps into seamless, personalised experiences.
Who Will Own the Identity Graph?
This convergence of security has sparked a strategic race over who will control the identity graph. Traditional security vendors are opening their systems to partners, while IT and workplace platforms like ServiceNow and Microsoft are embedding physical access management into their suites. PropTech firms are also integrating identity and occupancy data into their apps, increasingly relegating classic PACS providers to infrastructure roles.
Memoori’s study highlights a crucial question: will access control stay a reliable yet interchangeable layer of infrastructure, or evolve into the intelligent control tier that unlocks value from identity, occupancy and automation? Choosing the right platform will shape integration options, data ownership and long-term software dependencies.
The real leaders will be those who recognise access control as the operational backbone of connected buildings and a cornerstone of modern security. The long-term winners will be those manufacturers who prioritise open standards, platform flexibility and data sovereignty.