As the physical security landscape continues to evolve, government buildings, schools, and commercial campuses face a new generation of threats—and opportunities. From AI-powered surveillance to hybrid-cloud access control, staying ahead of the curve isn’t just smart—it’s essential.
At Next Level, we’ve been helping clients across education, government, and commercial industries adapt to these changes with systems designed for what’s next. Here’s what we’re watching—and why it matters.
1. Smarter Access Control with Hybrid-Cloud and Mobile Credentials
Gone are the days of managing access with outdated on-premise systems and plastic badges. Today’s most secure facilities are embracing hybrid-cloud systems that allow for centralized control and real-time updates across locations.
Why it matters: Hybrid systems mean faster response times, fewer disruptions, and scalable infrastructure. Add mobile credentials or biometric verification, and you’re giving authorized users faster, safer access—while keeping threats out.
2. Unified Security Platforms Are the New Standard
Managing video surveillance, door access, alarms, and visitor logs on separate platforms? That’s a recipe for blind spots. Unified platforms bring everything into one command center.
Why it matters: A single dashboard offers instant insight and better coordination during emergencies. Whether you’re overseeing a school campus or a multi-building corporate facility, this level of integration improves both safety and efficiency.
3. AI-Powered Video Analytics: See What Matters, Faster
AI in surveillance isn’t just hype—it’s a game-changer. Today’s systems can detect loitering, tailgating, or even recognize specific behaviors that signal a potential threat.
Why it matters: AI reduces false alarms and speeds up response time. And in schools or government buildings, where every second counts, that can make a critical difference.
4. Drone Detection & Smart Perimeter Protection
Drones are becoming more than just a nuisance—they’re a legitimate threat to secure sites. That’s why more institutions are integrating smart sensors, radar, and signal-jamming technology to monitor and counter aerial intrusions.
Why it matters: A vulnerable perimeter means a vulnerable facility. With rising concerns around sabotage and espionage, physical security must extend beyond the front door.
5. Compliance and Real-Time Reporting
For government agencies and schools, compliance isn’t optional—it’s law. From SOC 2 audits to GDPR and FERPA, modern security systems must log access events, generate detailed reports, and protect sensitive data.
Why it matters: The right system does more than keep people safe—it keeps you compliant. That’s peace of mind for administrators, IT leaders, and compliance officers.
If you operate a business, ensuring the safety and security of your business or commercial facility is paramount. With the wide range of access control products available, it is not just possible but easier than ever to tailor a solution that precisely meets your security needs. One reliable security product provider in the industry is Kantech, renowned for its integrated commercial access control technologies.
Efficient Access Control Solutions
Designing and implementing a commercial access control system that seamlessly integrates with your existing security and operational systems can be challenging but professional design and installation can make a world of difference. A Kantech system simplifies the management of access privileges by giving you the ability to track access activities, including location, time, and user identity. This enables you to enhance employee accountability and verify punctuality, ultimately improving overall efficiency.
Enhanced Security with Kantech Identity Verification
Traditional keys are prone to being lost, stolen, or duplicated, compromising the security of your facility. Kantech provides a reliable alternative by offering access control badges for both staff and visitors. These badges can be customized to include a photograph, providing visual verification of each individual’s identity. By eliminating the need for physical keys, your security is greatly improved, and the risk of unauthorized access is minimized.
Flexible Badge Privileges and Management
Managing access privileges can be a complex task, especially in environments where staff turnover is common or visitor access needs to be regulated. Kantech’s commercial access control software simplifies this process by allowing you to add, remove, or modify badge privileges instantly. Whether you need to grant temporary access to a visitor or adjust an employee’s access level, the flexibility of Kantech’s system ensures that you have complete control over who enters your premises.
Streamlined Operations and Integration
Kantech Access Control systems are designed to integrate seamlessly with other security and operational systems, making it easier than ever to manage your business. By combining access control with video surveillance, intrusion detection, and other security systems, you create a comprehensive solution that optimizes safety and minimizes the complexity of managing multiple systems. This integration not only enhances security but also enables you to improve operational efficiency and streamline day-to-day tasks.
In today’s modern and complex world, businesses face a growing need to protect their assets and people. Commercial surveillance systems offer an essential layer of protection that can deter theft, vandalism, and other crimes. No matter the business size, it is impossible have eyes everywhere at all times, and that is why having a robust and effective surveillance system is essential. Although there are many commercial surveillance and security systems on the market, Axis is the market leader in commercial network video surveillance systems. With end-to-end solutions, Axis provides everything businesses need to safeguard their premises, assets, and employees.
Axis Commercial Surveillance Systems: The Gold Standard in Security
Axis has been an industry-leader in video surveillance since inventing the world’s first network camera in 1996. Since then, Axis has continued to develop groundbreaking products that increase the security of businesses worldwide and help to meet the growing need for a smarter, safer world.
Custom Commercial Surveillance Solutions
Axis products and systems are designed with the understanding that every business has unique security requirements. Whether your business needs a smart system for basic surveillance or a more advanced, enterprise-level security system, a tailored solution can be designed with Axis surveillance systems.
End-to-End Surveillance Offers Many Benefits
Protect and grow your business with cutting-edge security solutions from Axis including network cameras, video encoders, accessories, and application software. Systems are designed with open IP standards, making it easy to connect and integrate into your existing IT infrastructure. And, in the event that a crime occurs, your surveillance system can provide valuable evidence to the authorities. With Axis commercial surveillance solutions, businesses can safeguard their premises, assets, and employees with confidence. Contact Next Level to learn more about Axis products and how we can assist you in designing an effective, reliable, scalable surveillance system for your business.
In today’s modern and technologically-advanced world, businesses are more concerned with facility security than ever before – and for good reason. Access control is a front-line defense against security breaches. Although different business types will have unique security needs, all businesses need some form of access control to optimize security and safety.
There are various levels of badge reader technology that help business control and track facility access. Depending on the type of business and security needs, one particular type may be more ideally suited to your business than another. Understanding the different types of badge reader technology available can help you select the right type of access control for your business.
3 Types of State-of-the-Art Badge Reader Technology
- Proximity Card Readers
- Proximity card readers are the most common type of badge reader, using radio frequency identification technology (RFID) to read your business access card or key fob when held up to the proximity reader. It has one job – read the card’s ID# and/or site facility code number. The system then rapidly confirms verification with a remote computer and either grants or denies access.
- Smart Card Readers
- Smart card readers work somewhat similarly to proximity card readers but use a different type of technology – integrated circuit card (ICC) technology. They are more secure than proximity cards because any data stored on the card is encrypted so that only authorized devices can access than information. Beyond storing authentication information, smart card readers can store personal information and can work like a cash card to store financial information due to the encryption and superior level of security.
- Portrait Badges
- Portrait badges use a newer facial recognition technology to identify and authenticate individuals. Portrait badge readers use the photo to compare it to a database of authorized individuals’ pictures and determine if access is granted or denied. Being able to verify that the right individual is using a badge to access secure areas can be advantageous for facilities where a higher level of security is needed.