Teresa Wu, Vice President, Smart Credentials at IDEMIA speaks about how the security industry will move forward and progress over the next year.

Facing evolving threats

In the coming year, the security industry is expected to advance significantly in security convergence, integrating physical and cybersecurity to create a more comprehensive defense strategy.

This convergence will be marked by the broader adoption of cryptographically secured digital credentials, which offer a secure and versatile means of identity verification across various platforms.

Multi-purpose secure credentials, capable of serving both physical access and digital authentication needs, will become more prevalent, allowing for seamless transitions between different security environments.

AI and automation will enhance threat detection and response, particularly with the spread of generative AI, the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G technologies.

The adoption of phishing-resistant authentication methods will increase, moving away from traditional password-based systems to more secure options like biometric authentication, FIDO2 security keys and passkeys, which are designed to thwart phishing attempts by ensuring that authentication factors cannot be easily compromised or replicated.

Zero-trust security models will gain traction, advocating for continuous verification to combat sophisticated threats powered by the ever-growing capabilities from various generative AI engines.

The integration of physical and cybersecurity will break down traditional silos, promoting comprehensive risk management with a holistic view of security threats.

Security strategies will need to address both physical and digital vulnerabilities, emphasizing the use of secure, multi-purpose credentials that can adapt to various security contexts.

There will be a stronger push towards aligning cybersecurity with physical security operations, recognizing the need to manage threats that exploit both domains.

This integration is also influenced by evolving regulatory requirements, which demand not only integrated security practices but also compliance with standards emphasizing secure authentication methods.

In essence, the next 12 months will see the security industry moving towards a more proactive, integrated and technologically advanced security framework, where the synergy between multi-purpose access credentials, phishing-resistant authentication and traditional security measures is key to building resilience against evolving threats.

Teresa Wu

Teresa is a seasoned professional leading the smart credential business within the IDEMIA Public Security North America business unit.

With a diverse background, she has successfully overseen diverse product portfolios, leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as cloud computing, digital identity, identity documents and biometric solutions.

As a board member of the FIDO Alliance and the Security Industry Association, and Chair of the Identity Access Forum of the Secure Technology Alliance, Teresa continues to shape industry dialogues.

She is also a three-time honoree of the Power 100 at the SIA Women in Security Forum and one of the Co-Founders of the Employee Resource Group, Women in IDEMIA Network.

This article was originally published in the special February Influencers Edition of Security Journal Americas. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.