The demand for touchless solutions is so great right now that the touchless sensing market across all sectors is expected to grow an average of 17% annually through 2025, according to Orion Market Reports, which states that the main drivers are increasing demand for non-contact detection, sanitation issues, and advantageous programs distributed by governments.
From the initial secured entrance to the overarching access control system, the emphasis is currently on contactless access control and door entry solutions. A myriad of technologies from NFC and smart mobile devices to facial biometrics will help play a vital role in what are now COVID-driven essentials. An integrated strategy for access control, along with tailgating mitigation options including turnstiles, revolving doors and mantrap portals enables building security to implement even more comprehensive control and prioritized security while making use of touchless credentials.
The reality is that most institutions of higher learning have decided to open their campuses this fall regardless of the political rancor, adding the specter of a deadly pandemic to an already challenging campus security environment where campus shootings, physical violence to women and theft usually occupy the top threat metrics for college security administrators. Because college and university campuses have thousands of students and faculty traversing a wide swath of buildings all day, every day, having an access control solution that not only addresses the security aspect of this population, but now one that must also handle myriad safety and health concerns due to COVID-19 to lessen the likelihood of the virus spreading, is a top priority.
Enterprise security leaders say physical security solutions are more important due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, 75% of respondents said the coronavirus pandemic increased the importance of physical security within their organizations.
The survey was conducted online with more than 1,500 consumers who attended ticketed events in 2019, parents of school-aged children, and workers at large factories, warehouses and distribution centers. Nearly 7 in 10 (69%) respondents value the general sense of safety that physical security measures provide, and over half (54%) believe there is deterrent value in those measures.