The plastic access card is increasingly being treated as a legacy option for access to workplaces, campuses and public buildings. The shift isn’t simply about convenience: it’s about security, governance and the reality of hybrid estates where users, contractors and visitors move across multiple sites and systems. The question for senior security leaders is no longer whether alternatives exist, but how to deploy mobile credentials, biometrics and multi-factor authentication (MFA) in a way that improves protection without damaging user experience or trust…
Mobile credentials: the mainstream replacement
Mobile access credentials are now the most common “next step” for organisations modernising access control. Phones reduce the cost and friction of printing, replacing and managing cards, and they can support faster provisioning for contractors, temporary staff and visitors. A key trend is credential lifecycle automation: issue access rights for a defined time window, revoke them instantly, and maintain a clear audit trail.
However, mobile isn’t a universal fit. Not every environment allows phones at the point of entry, and not every user is comfortable relying on a personal device for work access. Best practice includes maintaining a fallback option (cards or PINs) and ensuring the onboarding journey is simple and well supported.
Biometrics: strong assurance, higher sensitivity
Biometrics (fingerprint, facial recognition or iris) can offer strong identity assurance, particularly in high-risk or high-value environments. They help reduce credential sharing and can improve accountability where access events must be attributable to an individual.
But adoption is still shaped by acceptance. Biometric deployment requires careful consideration of privacy, data protection and employee relations. User trust is earned through transparency: explaining what data is collected, how it’s stored, how long it’s retained, and what alternatives exist.
Operationally, biometrics must be designed for real conditions: lighting, PPE, throughput, accessibility needs, and edge cases such as injuries or changes in appearance. Done poorly, biometrics can increase friction and create queues, undermining the very control they are meant to strengthen.
Convergence and MFA: the future is layered
The most significant trend is not “mobile vs biometrics”, it’s credential convergence. Leading organisations are combining methods based on risk: mobile as the day-to-day credential, with step-up authentication at sensitive doors or during heightened threat levels.
This is where MFA enters access control. Just as MFA is standard in cyber security, physical access is increasingly adopting layered verification: something you have (mobile credential), something you are (biometric), or something you know (PIN), applied selectively rather than everywhere.
Deployment considerations for 2026
Successful programmes start with clear use cases and pilot groups, not blanket rollouts. Security leaders should assess site readiness, system interoperability, failover behaviour, and user support requirements. Most importantly, measure outcomes: reduced tailgating, fewer lost credentials, faster onboarding, and better auditability.
The plastic card isn’t disappearing overnight, but it’s no longer the default.
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