Specifically Speaking: Jason Wright on how ‘transformative’ product convergence will shape the future

SEATTLE—From what he’s observed, Jason Wright says that new and emerging technologies in the physical security industry are not only abundant, but also transformative.  

“As vice chair of the ASIS Emerging Technology Steering Committee and a two-year volunteer judge for the New Products and Solutions Awards, I’ve had the privilege of reviewing some of the industry's most forward-thinking innovations,” said Wright, principal at Studitu. “From that vantage point, it’s clear that the convergence of product capabilities is accelerating, and this trend will fundamentally redefine the function and utility of core security hardware.”  

As part of Security Systems News’ monthly column Specifically Speaking, the following is an exclusive Q&A with Wright:  

SSN: What kinds of systems do you design/specify, and what services does the company provide?  

WRIGHT: Studitu has broad capabilities and serves a wide range of vertical markets. Our current client base includes family offices, data centers, airports, enterprise campuses, critical infrastructure, architectural firms and commercial developments.  

SSN: What vertical markets does the company specialize in?  

WRIGHT: We're proud to support clients across industries where security, technology integration and design precision are mission critical. While many of our projects are confidential, they include high-profile headquarters, secure data environments and complex, multi-stakeholder facilities that require a high degree of coordination and technical expertise.  

SSN: Please give an example of product convergence in the security space.  

WRIGHT: What we used to think of as a simple card reader is quickly evolving into a multi-functional intelligent endpoint. Card readers will not just grant access. Increasingly, they will serve simultaneously as intercoms, visitor management checkpoints, embedded cameras and even ultra-wideband sensors capable of detecting direction of travel. Some will be able to authenticate users via biometric data from government-issued IDs, such as Real ID-compliant driver’s licenses or passports, mimicking the advanced authentication processes currently used by the TSA.  

SSN: Can you talk about what new or emerging technologies you are seeing or specifying today? 

WRIGHT: Artificial intelligence (AI) is an area that is rapidly maturing. Perhaps the most important aspect of AI is not how it works - it’s what it enables. The real value of AI lies in its ability to enhance decision-making, reduce operational risk and provide actionable intelligence across an organization.  

Some of the most powerful AI tools today are capable of performing highly complex, nuanced human tasks, such as identifying disassembled components in an X-ray scan - something that historically required specialized human operators. This is not just automation; it's augmentation, where technology enhances human capabilities rather than simply replacing them.”  

As technology evolves, physical security will become increasingly about data, context and rapid interpretation of risk, not just gates, guards and gadgets.  

The industry is shifting from reactive protection to proactive prevention, and that transformation is being powered by a deeper integration of AI, sensor fusion, identity intelligence, and cloud-edge hybrid systems. Consultants, integrators, and end users alike will need to rethink not only what systems they use, but also how they align security strategy with business resilience and operational intelligence.  

SSN: What is your view on the industry moving forward?  

WRIGHT: AI is not about replacement; it’s about enhancement. The industry is entering a phase where technology, especially AI and edge computing, elevates what physical security can deliver. We’re moving beyond traditional protection models to integrated, intelligence-driven systems. With past roles embedded at Intel, IBM, Apple, Meta and Google, I’ve seen firsthand how convergence shapes our future.