HID’s 2026 security report shows changing approach to identity management

AUSTIN, Texas — HID has released its 2026 State of Security and Identity Report, revealing how organizations worldwide are fundamentally reshaping their approach to identity management.  

Based on insights from more than 1,500 security and IT professionals, end users and industry partners, the research shows that security leaders are focused on how to manage identities in ways that build trust, strengthen protection and preserve user choice across increasingly converged physical and digital environments. 

“Security leaders are clearly under pressure to modernize access and identity infrastructure, but our research shows they're equally focused on the governance, protection and transparency that build lasting trust,” said Ramesh Songukrishnasamy, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at HID. “The organizations succeeding in 2026 are those giving stakeholders meaningful solution choice while maintaining robust security." 

The report identifies seven key trends that collectively illustrate how trust, protection and choice are reshaping security strategy: 

• Identity management now dominates strategic planning 
• Mobile credentials have reached critical mass 
• Biometrics are expanding beyond MFA into core access control 
• Real-time location solutions are moving into mainstream use cases 
• Physical and digital identity convergence is accelerating 
• RFID adoption continues to grow steadily 
• Investment patterns are shifting decisively toward integrated platforms 

Beyond individual technology trends, the report highlights a defining concern for 2026: ethical considerations and privacy concerns are at an all-time high. For biometrics, 67% of end users expressed high or moderate concern about ethical and privacy implications. Alongside location tracking and converged identity platforms, organizations are navigating the tension between stronger protection and individual rights. Many respondents report actively developing policies, governance frameworks, and technical controls to address these concerns, signaling a broader maturity in how security decisions are made. 

The full 2026 State of Security and Identity Report is available for download at www.hidglobal.com.