Access control emerged as a pivotal sector at Intersec Dubai 2026, where leading vendors showcased groundbreaking advancements designed to meet the Middle East’s escalating demand for integrated security and its growing focus on data sovereignty and cybersecurity. Through a series of insightful YouTube interviews conducted by our colleagues at a&s Middle East, key industry players revealed their strategic priorities for the year ahead.
IRIS ID – Biometrics Redefined for High-Stakes Environments
For 25 years, IRIS ID has been a cornerstone of contactless access control in the Middle East. At Intersec, the company unveiled significant enhancements, including deeper AI integration and improved image processing across its product line, notably solutions combining iris and facial recognition. Excitingly, its cloud-based ACaaS platform, already successful in North America, is poised to launch in the Middle East, offering local customers the benefits of cloud solutions, particularly scalability. This is crucial as the region experiences booming visitor numbers and service sector growth driven by massive investments.
Mohammed Murad, Chief Sales Officer at IRIS ID, proudly shared with a&s Middle East in an exclusive booth interview that last year, 42 million passengers seamlessly navigated Dubai Airport’s speed gates, all powered by IRIS ID’s iris recognition technology.
Suprema – Unifying Security with a Cloud Option
Scalability was also a central theme for Suprema at Intersec, where they introduced the BioStar X unified platform to the regional market. This innovative platform integrates VMS, AI video, and time attendance into a single interface, promising streamlined operations for businesses ranging from large enterprises to SMBs.
Recognizing that increased capabilities necessitate robust data processing, Suprema highlighted cloud migration as a compelling solution. Their Intersec booth featured access control readers specifically designed for the BioStar Air ACaaS platform, including the BioStation 3 with Bluetooth Low Energy technology. These readers combine mobile credentials with other authentication methods, such as dynamic QR codes for visitor management, offering unparalleled convenience and reducing reliance on on-premise servers for user profile management.
Genetec – Blending Cloud Convenience with On-Premise Security
The global shift towards cloud integration is undeniable, a trend underscored by Genetec’s sixth annual State of Physical Security report for 2026. At Intersec, Andrew Elvish, Vice President of Marketing at Genetec, elaborated on the report’s findings and how they shape Genetec’s solution development. In an exclusive interview with a&s Middle East, Elvish noted a “twist” in the cloud trend within Middle Eastern markets.
He explained that stringent data residency and sovereignty requirements in key regional jurisdictions, coupled with developing data center infrastructure, necessitate a hybrid approach. Genetec’s solution, the Cloud Link 210, offers the best of both worlds: a Linux-based headless appliance supporting video management, access control, and intrusion management in a single device. Sensitive data, like biometric user profiles, remains securely processed and stored on-premise, while operators benefit from cloud features such as automatic firmware updates, security patches, and system health monitoring. This empowers operators to selectively expose datasets to the cloud while keeping others entirely isolated from the internet.
ASSA ABLOY – Securing Data Center ‘White Space’ with Kentix
The Middle East is also experiencing the global data center boom, a high-stakes environment that presents unique challenges and opportunities for access control companies. Kentix, recently acquired by ASSA ABLOY, showcased a specialized focus on the “white space” within data centers.
Joachim Mahlsteadt, Managing Director at Kentix and CCC of DAS, ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions EMEIA, emphasized to a&s Middle East that their approach transcends traditional access control. “It’s not only access control—it’s monitoring, intrusion detection, early fire detection and everything else you need to protect your white space from any kind of threat within your data center,” he explained, highlighting a comprehensive security philosophy.
NEDAP – From Access Control to Digital Twining
Other exhibitors concentrated on innovative ways to orchestrate the myriad possibilities of modern access control systems. NEDAP, marking its 18th consecutive year at Intersec, spotlighted its Pace Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) solution. Pace acts as a digital twin of an entire organization, assisting operators in managing physical identities, credentials, and access rights across complex, fragmented landscapes. As systems grow in complexity, a holistic overview of physical and digital assets becomes paramount for operational efficiency and cybersecurity.
HID – Regional Growth and Cybersecurity Fortifications
Cybersecurity was a prominent theme at the HID booth, where the company unveiled updates to its Mercury controllers, specifically designed to bolster their resilience against cyberattacks. This Linux-based family of open-platform controllers now supports the latest cybersecurity standards, ensuring seamless, dependable upgrades for customers.
Beyond product enhancements, HID also announced a significant increase in its regional headcount, reinforcing its commitment to customers and partners with expanded sales, pre-sales, and technical support staff.
Conclusion – Access Control Leading the Way
Intersec 2026 served as a powerful testament to the growth and increasingly deep integration of security solutions in the Middle East. Access control companies demonstrated their position at the forefront of this evolution, presenting sophisticated solutions that not only meet current demands but also anticipate the growing need for integrated security in the future.
For comprehensive coverage of Intersec 2026, including interviews with industry leaders from ASSA ABLOY, Genetec, Nedap, ISS, Motorola Solutions, Reconeyez, ICT, Teledyne FLIR, Mercury.AI, Gallagher Security, Screencheck Middle East, Zenitel, Suprema, Bosch, 4EVAC, Iris ID Systems, HID, XPR Group, Tabbara Electronics, M2M Services, IDtech, Magnus, VIVOTEK, Axis Communications, Primion, Smarttive, LINEV Systems, Garret, UXE Security Solutions, Telaeris, PASO and AxxonSoft, visit the a&s Middle East YouTube channel.