The global security landscape is undergoing a major transformation as organizations increasingly embrace artificial intelligence (AI), biometrics, and mobile credentials to enhance security and identity verification. HID, a leader in identity and security solutions, unveiled these findings in its 2025 State of Security and Identity Report, which gathered insights from 1,800 security professionals, IT leaders, and end users worldwide, including those from the Asia-Pacific region.

"Security is evolving at a rapid pace, and organizations are looking for solutions that provide flexibility, scalability, and reliability," said HID senior vice president and chief technology officer Ramesh Songukrishnasamy.

"Our report reflects how industries worldwide are adapting to these changes by integrating advanced technologies into their security frameworks."

The report highlights a strong push toward mobile credentials, with 61 percent of security leaders identifying them as a key trend. However, 84 percent of respondents still use a mix of mobile and physical credentials to maintain flexibility and compliance.

“Many organizations recognize the convenience of mobile access, but physical credentials remain crucial in various environments,” noted senior director for Physical Access Control Solutions in ASEAN and the India Subcontinent, Prabhuraj Patil.

“This hybrid approach ensures security without sacrificing accessibility.”

Biometrics has also emerged as a dominant force in security, particularly in multi-factor authentication (MFA). The survey revealed that 73 percent of organizations have integrated biometrics into their MFA strategies, with 35 percent actively using biometric technology and 13 percent planning to implement it.

"Biometrics is fast becoming the cornerstone of identity security," Patil explained.

"Fingerprint, facial, and iris recognition technologies are gaining widespread adoption because they provide an extra layer of protection while offering a seamless user experience."

A notable trend in the report is the shift toward unified, software-centric security management, with 67 percent of security leaders moving toward software-driven solutions. This transition is driven by the need for seamless integration of multiple data collection methods, enabling organizations to consolidate security operations into a single, more efficient platform.

"With the increasing complexity of security threats, companies want systems that can integrate effortlessly with existing infrastructures," said Songukrishnasamy.

"This shift toward software-centric security enhances both usability and response efficiency."

The demand for open security platforms is another crucial finding, with more than half of security professionals emphasizing their importance.

"Open platforms allow for easier third-party integration, greater flexibility in system upgrades, and improved scalability," Patil noted.

"Organizations are no longer looking for isolated security solutions; they need interconnected systems that evolve with their needs."

The transition from standalone security solutions to integrated platforms is accelerating, with nearly two-thirds of respondents reporting a shift toward software-driven security models. Organizations cite flexibility and scalability as the primary motivators behind this move.

"Security solutions must be adaptable," said HID PR Manager for APAC Jessica Tan. "The ability to integrate and scale is no longer a luxury — it's a necessity in today's dynamic security landscape."

Another key development is the ongoing transformation of security channels in the digital era, with 77 percent of respondents confident in their ability to adapt. However, challenges remain.

"Keeping pace with evolving technologies, training staff, managing customer expectations, and balancing traditional and modern security services are among the biggest hurdles organizations face today," Patil stated.

Artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly vital role in security, with 64 percent of respondents actively using or planning to implement AI-powered solutions. However, concerns over security risks, trust in AI’s accuracy, transparency in decision-making, and integration complexities persist.

“AI has the potential to revolutionize security, but organizations are approaching it with caution,” Songukrishnasamy said.

"Ensuring AI reliability and integrating it with existing security infrastructures remain key challenges."

Sustainability is another growing factor in security decision-making, with 75 percent of security leaders considering sustainability when selecting security solutions. The report found that 54% seek energy-efficient security technologies, while 70 percent actively recycle outdated access cards to reduce waste.

"Sustainability is no longer an afterthought in security," Patil remarked. "Organizations are consciously making choices that align with environmental responsibility."

From a regional perspective, cybersecurity threats rank as the top challenge across the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region. However, the report notes that Asia-Pacific organizations are more willing to explore and adopt new security technologies than their counterparts elsewhere.

“APAC markets have shown a remarkable openness to emerging security innovations,” Patil observed. “This region is becoming a key driver of security advancements globally.”

Looking ahead, mobile identity, unified security management, and AI-driven analysis are expected to shape the security industry over the next three years. Organizations across all regions have signaled a strong commitment to implementing AI-powered security solutions and biometric technologies to strengthen identity verification.

HID executives reaffirmed that security and data privacy remain at the core of their operations.

"At HID, we follow security-by-design and privacy-by-design principles in all our products," Songukrishnasamy emphasized.

"Our goal is to build security solutions that are both effective and trustworthy."