Mercury Security has published its, “Trends in Access Controllers Report,” based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe.

The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials — ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72 percent of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders.

The report found the following key trends reshaping physical access controller design and selection include:

• Security-First Thinking: 90 percent of respondents say staying aligned with cybersecurity standards is essential. More than 71 percent cite advanced protection  — secure boot, OSDP, cryptography  — as a top decision driver.
• Mobile and Cloud Integration: 55 percent seek controller compatibility with other credentials, including mobile credentials. Over half (52 percent) report cloud enablement as critical for scalability, real-time monitoring and remote management.
• Reliability is Non-Negotiable: 63 percent rank reliability and uptime as the most important criteria in controller selection  — far outweighing cost or feature specifications.
• Backward and Forward Compatibility: 86 percent require controllers that support long-term infrastructure planning through compatibility with past and future systems.
• Interoperability and Open Architecture: 76 percent cite interoperability with mixed-device environments as essential, underscoring the shift toward flexible, standards-based systems.