AI and regulation are reshaping the future of building security

Date:
Mon, 27 Jul 2026 09:08:45 +0000

Description:
Physical and digital security systems can no longer be treated as separate entities.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Criminals used to rely on lock-picking tools and crowbars to break into buildings. Todays attackers can cause just as much damage and disruption by using phishing links, malware and sophisticated digital exploits to target products, systems and networks.

The truth is, todays security challenge isnt just physical or cyber but both. And keeping one step ahead of criminals is a full-time occupation. For those people tasked with researching and developing the latest products, it sometimes means using unconventional tactics, such as using professional lock pickers to test the security and resilience of new products. Kelly Gill
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SVP & Chief Technology Officer for EMEIA at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions. While modern locks are still based on mechanical engineering, they are more advanced than they look. Improvements in design, materials, and manufacturing mean they are stronger, more reliable, and harder to tamper with. But theres more to locks than just security . Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

Some systems can even use the motion of turning a key to generate a small amount of electrical energy, which provides energy to power extra functions without wiring or batteries. This means they are not just standalone locks
but can also be used as part of wider digital access systems.

Used extensively in buildings such as offices, hotels, hospitals and other critical infrastructure, these modern digital access solutions can also connect to cloud-based platforms to manage who can enter buildings and restricted areas. You may like The new reality of critical infrastructure security in the age of hybrid threats How AI innovation is outpacing regulation How AI is outpacing cybersecurity and what firms must do next Bridging physical and digital security However, digital systems have their
own security risks, which means security teams need to anticipate and defend against a wide range of risks from attempts to breach access platforms to phishing attacks as well as other tactics designed to exploit human
behavior.

This explains why some security personnel have to adopt a hackers mindset to keep systems safe. And that means continuously testing, probing, and strengthening systems to identify vulnerabilities. Are you a pro? Subscribe
to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

But what is becoming increasingly clear is that physical and digital security systems can no longer be treated as separate entities.

Many security solutions today employ both mechanical and digital technology, which means that resilience the kind of resilience that keeps data centers safe, for example depends on understanding how risks move across systems, people and environments. Embedding resilience into design That means continuously designing and testing products against existing real-world threats while also anticipating what might be around the corner. That
includes building security into every stage of development, especially as technology evolves. What to read next How AI's evolution is redefining risks Four key areas in cybersecurity that need fresh thinking and actionable steps in 2026 The network perimeter is dead. Now what?

For instance, great strides have been made recently in terms of biometric authentication , including facial recognition and fingerprint scanning. Similarly, smartphones are increasingly being used to secure credentials for mobile-based access control systems.

Work is also currently underway to use artificial intelligence (AI) to
analyze data in real time to identify unusual entry times, identify multiple failed authentication attempts, or spot any other anomalies that might
suggest someone is trying to gain entry illegally.

Using AI tools in a positive way is important because it is also the source
of some of the newest and, therefore, most unpredictable challenges. For example, there are now autonomous AI threat chains that can discover and exploit vulnerabilities unilaterally, moving from reconnaissance to exfiltration in record time without any need for human oversight.

The danger posed by cyber criminals has also become more complex due to the growing interconnectivity of digital products and services. In many ways, a world where all hardware and software are interconnected is an efficient and convenient one.

But it is also one where, if bad actors gain access to a single element, they may be able to compromise the whole network. The importance of regulation and compliance This is something that the European Union (EU) is actively addressing. For instance, the European Unions (EU) NIS2 Directive relates to cybersecurity protecting network and information systems and significantly broadens both the scope and the obligations for compliance.

It also takes an all-hazard approach to security, which means protecting not just digital networks and systems, but also the physical environments in
which they operate.

Similarly, the EUs Cyber Resilience Act is designed to ensure that all
digital products are safe from cyber threats.

Its goal is to ensure that connected devices and software are built, updated, and maintained with security in mind, helping protect users in an
increasingly connected world.

And by introducing clearer requirements and standards, the CRA will help consumers and organizations identify products with strong security features and configure them more securely from the outset.

In both cases, not only is it incumbent on vendors to meet or exceed these rules and regulations, but also to keep customers, the wider industry, and other stakeholders informed about developments.

Not only must businesses contend with the usual challenges from phishing and malware, but the rapid growth of AI has introduced a new and unpredictable dimension to keeping out online criminals. Security both physical and cyber has never been more critical than it is today. We've featured the best endpoint protection software. This article was produced as part of TechRadar Pro Perspectives , our channel to feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today.

The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/pro/perspectives-how-to-submit



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/ai-and-regulation-are-reshaping-the-future-of-bu ilding-security


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