Compliance, connectivity and complete solutions
Access control has become an essential part of modern building operations, and recent research based on insights from security, facilities and IT professionals has found digital access systems are now the industry standard.
Access control has become an essential part of modern building operations, and recent research [1] based on insights from security, facilities and IT professionals has found digital access systems are now the industry standard.
For the first time in over a decade, fully or partially wireless systems have overtaken traditional wired systems in organisations managing access digitally, and adoption continues to rise.
Forty-two percent of end users now use wireless locks, up from 39% in 2023, and fully mobile credential environments have more than tripled in two years, accounting for 17% of organisations compared with just 5% previously. What’s more, 91% of respondents now view biometrics as a useful access or authentication technology, with more than half already utilising it to some degree.
Security is becoming more important within organisations too, with 84% of respondents seeing it as a core business function, a clear improvement on 2023, when one third questioned its importance.
This shows that access control is no longer just about hardware and it is now a strategic infrastructure decision, influenced by digital transformation, sustainability goals and compliance requirements.
With this in mind, Abloy UK is showcasing a complete range of solutions at The Security Event 2026, including electric locking, Escape Door Solutions, wireless access control, digital key systems, intelligent door entry and specialist data centre security, all with a clear focus on regulatory alignment, including NCP 109.
Compliance and the growing importance of NCP 109
As access control systems become more advanced, regulations are becoming stricter. In instances where electronic locks are fitted to fire doors and escape routes, life safety must always come first.
NCP 109, the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) Code of Practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of electronic access control systems, provides clear guidance on how electronically controlled doors must be specified and integrated. It aligns with standards such as BS 7273-4 and ensures doors release safely and reliably in emergency situations.
UK Fire and Rescue Services continue to attend over 140,000 fires annually [2], with fatalities and casualties showing concerning increases. In that context, a non-compliant electronically locked door is not simply a technical oversight, it is a potential life safety failure.
NCP 109 provides a structured benchmark for installers, consultants and facilities managers. It ensures systems are designed with fail-safe principles, correctly interfaced with fire alarm systems and maintained to consistent standards. For manufacturers, it reinforces the importance of engineering solutions that support compliance from the outset.
At Abloy UK, compliance is not an afterthought, and it informs our product development, system design and ongoing training through the Abloy Academy, educating industry professionals with the knowledge required to deliver secure, compliant solutions.
Electric locks and escape door solutions
Electric locking is key to access control in high-security and high-traffic environments. At The Security Event, we will showcase a comprehensive range of electric locks and Escape Door Solutions engineered for demanding applications.
In sectors such as healthcare, education, commercial offices and critical infrastructure, doors must provide security and durability while guaranteeing immediate egress in an emergency. The challenge is to maintain controlled access without compromising safe escape.
Abloy’s electric locking and escape door systems are designed to integrate with fire alarm interfaces to meet BS 7273-4 requirements. When specified and installed in line with NCP 109, they help ensure doors release under alarm conditions while maintaining security during everyday operation.
For specifiers and installers, this integrated approach reduces risk and increases confidence that life safety obligations are fully supported.
Wireless access control with Aperio and SMARTair
Retrofitting access control into existing buildings often presents logistical and financial challenges, as wiring can be disruptive, particularly in heritage properties, healthcare environments or multi-tenant commercial premises.
Wireless technology offers a flexible and scalable solution, and at TSE, we will highlight Aperio and SMARTair, demonstrating how wireless devices can extend access control to internal doors without extensive wiring.
Aperio enables wireless cylinders, escutcheons and handles to integrate directly with existing access control systems, maintaining centralised management. SMARTair offers a flexible solution that can operate standalone or networked, making it suitable for small sites through to complex estates.
These systems allow for real-time updates, audit trails and the ability to manage access permissions, reducing the need for mechanical keys and making operations more flexible.
However, where installed on fire doors, specification must still align with NCP 109 and relevant fire safety standards, showing that innovation and compliance must progress together.
While electronic access control continues to expand, mechanical locking remains critical across many sectors, but traditional keys present management challenges in large or distributed estates.
Abloy UK’s digital key portfolio, including eCLIQ, PULSE and CUMULUS, bridges the gap between mechanical strength and electronic intelligence.
eCLIQ allows programmable access rights within both key and cylinder, enabling lost keys to be cancelled without replacing hardware and providing audit capability. PULSE generates energy from the key itself, removing the need for batteries or wiring while retaining electronic control. CUMULUS adds cloud-based management, supporting distributed estates and critical infrastructure sites with centralised oversight.
These systems offer resilience, accountability and flexibility, but as with all locking on escape routes, must be specified with compliance in mind.
Intelligent entry with DoorBird
Modern buildings increasingly require connected entry solutions that combine security with convenience. DoorBird IP video door stations integrate video intercom functionality with smart connectivity, enabling occupants to communicate with visitors via internal stations or mobile devices.
Suitable for residential, commercial and mixed-use developments, these systems enhance visibility and user experience at entry points. When integrated with compliant locking hardware, they form part of a cohesive and secure access strategy that balances convenience with safe egress.
Securing critical infrastructure and data centres
Data centres and critical infrastructure environments represent some of the most security-sensitive facilities in operation today. Physical breaches can result in severe operational and reputational consequences.
Our data centre security solutions encompass perimeter protection, high-security electric locking, cabinet-level control and digital key management. By offering protection from boundary to server rack, we can support a layered and in depth approach.
In these environments, strict authorisation must coexist with reliable emergency escape functionality. Compliance and resilience are therefore intertwined, reinforcing the importance of integrated system design.
Abloy UK’s presence at The Security Event reflects the direction the industry is heading. By bringing together electric locks, escape door systems, wireless access, digital key platforms, intelligent entry and specialist infrastructure protection, we are showing how security solutions can work together as part of one connected, compliant approach.
As buildings become smarter and expectations continue to grow, access control needs to be both reliable and adaptable. Systems must work smoothly day to day while performing exactly as they should in an emergency.
By combining innovation with practical compliance expertise, Abloy UK is supporting the industry with access solutions designed to protect people, secure assets and meet the evolving demands of the built environment.
To learn more, visit us at The Security Event on Stand 5/F50.
[1] https://www.abloy.com/gb/en/stories/access-story/wac-report-202