Industry executives and experts share their predictions for 2026. Read them in this 18th annual VMblog.com series exclusive.
By Sarah Rodrigues, Chief Product Officer, Acre Security
We are entering a new phase of connected security – one where intelligent software, mobile technology, and cloud-based platforms are reshaping how organizations protect and manage their spaces. Digital transformation in physical security is no longer gradual. It is well underway, and access control offers one of the clearest signs of where things are headed. In 2026, the systems we use to manage and secure our buildings will evolve into a unified ecosystem that makes systems faster, responsive, and easier to work with.
Intelligence is changing how teams work with data. For years, security professionals have relied on reports, dashboards, and time-consuming searches to uncover answers. That approach is giving way to systems that can interpret questions and deliver clear responses. Much like modern tools now used in cybersecurity operations, these platforms help teams move from digging through data to acting on it.
Instead of sifting through thousands of access logs, a manager can simply ask, “Who tried to access the data center after hours last week?” and receive an instant, accurate answer. Generative AI and natural language processing are making this possible, allowing teams to interact with complex systems in plain speech. The payoff is meaningful: hours reclaimed each day that can be spent on higher-value priorities. According to a report from ISG Research, 88% of enterprises that invested in generative AI report positive outcomes when using AI for search that proactively answers questions. Additionally, 87% report positive outcomes in the interpretation of tabular data.
Automation follows naturally. As systems learn what “normal” looks like, they become better at spotting what does not belong. Unusual patterns stand out faster. Context improves. Routine work – issuing credentials, compiling reports, reviewing failed access attempts – becomes simpler and more consistent. Security teams shift away from constant oversight and toward thoughtful supervision. The system does more of the heavy lifting, while people focus on decisions that matter.
At the same time, mobile credentials are reshaping the experience at the door. Phones have become essential tools for work and life, so it makes sense that they are also becoming the preferred way to access secure spaces. Digital credentials stored in mobile wallets are steadily replacing cards and fobs. This is not just a convenience upgrade. It reflects a broader move toward identity that travels securely with the individual.
Built-in device protections – biometrics, passcodes, encrypted storage – add reassurance without slowing anyone down. For organizations, mobile credentials also offer control in real time. Access can be granted or removed instantly through connected platforms. A lost phone no longer means replacing hardware or reissuing cards. Permissions change immediately, keeping systems accurate and current.
The cloud provides the foundation that brings these capabilities together. Cloud-based platforms support growth without added complexity, whether managing one location or hundreds. Updates happen automatically. Permissions stay synchronized. Performance remains steady, even during peak demand. Designed for high availability, cloud architectures rely on redundancy and failover to keep systems running when issues arise.
This model also changes how organizations expand. New sites can come online quickly. Integrations with HR and identity systems help ensure access aligns with each person’s role. And with the capability to provide clear, faster upgrade paths, cloud-based platforms help teams maintain operational continuity, supporting transitions to new systems when it’s time to make the switch. Cloud tools keep migration smooth, fast, and lower risk, so teams can focus on advancing without disruption.
As these technologies come together, security becomes both smarter and more approachable. Intelligent systems guide decisions with timely insight. Mobile credentials simplify movement through secure spaces. The cloud keeps everything connected and consistent. Managing access begins to feel less like managing infrastructure and more like managing trust – continuously verified and always available.
By 2026, the focus will shift away from hardware and toward orchestration. Systems will operate quietly in the background, adapting with minimal intervention. The result is a security environment that feels resilient, intuitive, and balanced.
The future is a world where your teams ask direct questions and receive clear answers, where mobile devices double as secure keys, and where the cloud ensures every connection remains fast and reliable. As these technologies continue to mature, they will transform how organizations think about entry, identity, and confidence, turning every door into an intelligent checkpoint for a smarter, safer world.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Rodrigues is the Chief Product Officer at Acre Security, leading the company’s product vision and innovation strategy. A dynamic leader with a customer-first mindset, she excels at aligning customer needs with advanced technology to drive product growth and market impact.
In this role, Sarah collaborates with engineering, marketing, sales, and operations to mold Acre Security’s product roadmap, ensuring that innovation remains central to the company’s future. Her leadership also plays a key role in shaping the security industry’s evolving landscape.
With a strong background in strategic leadership, product development, and digital transformation, Sarah has driven impactful initiatives across multiple industries. At Amazon and AWS, she led innovation strategies for top enterprise clients, enhanced the smart home customer journey, and optimized e-commerce experiences for consumables. Throughout her career, she has also spearheaded business process improvements at Wilbur-Ellis and managed product quality assurance at ENAVATE.
Sarah holds a Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship and Technology Management from the UW Foster School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder.
