“Welcoming IXLA into the HID family demonstrates our commitment to providing convenient and efficient document personalization solutions across a variety of industries,” said Björn Lidefelt, EVP and Head of HID. “With IXLA’s technology and expertise, we are better positioned for geographic expansion, particularly in the government and financial institution space.”

XLA specializes in the design, development, and implementation of advanced laser and colour personalisation systems in three core categories:

1. Card printers: Laser desktop and mid-range solutions for the secure personalization of security documents such as identification cards, driver’s licenses, health cards, and other government-issued credentials
2. Passport printers: Low-Mid-volume printers with laser and inkjet-based colour personalisation that offer precise printing solutions for personalizing passports
3. Application software: Machine management software that ensures all personalization processes meet stringent security requirements to safeguard sensitive data

The IXLA portfolio offers laser and inkjet personalization systems for government and payments. The offering specializes in card printing and flexible issuance for driver’s licenses, ID cards, police and military IDs, high-security government cards and passports, and more.

Craig Sandness, SVP and Head of Secure Issuance, HID, said, “We look forward to incorporating IXLA into our growing printer and credential personalization offering. This addition helps increase our relevance in both the government and finance space, as well as better serve users in emerging markets across the globe.”

Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Romano Canavese, Italy, IXLA is now part of HID’s Secure Issuance Business Area. Together with 2015 acquisition, IAI Industrial Systems B.V., IXLA will benefit from HID’s sales and other global functions to support its offering. “At IXLA, we are proud of our achievements spanning 20+ years of designing, developing, manufacturing, and selling advanced personalization systems,” said Ettore Ghirlanda, CEO, IXLA. “Now, we are thrilled at the opportunity to combine forces with HID to expand our reach and further meet growing customer needs.”

In addition to access control, there are several other applications for the digital employee ID card, including laptops and workstations, secure printing, special access to restricted areas, charging stations and even parking. The mobile employee ID card offers companies several benefits at once. These include:

1. Enhanced security:  Biometric authentication, such as facial and fingerprint recognition, adds an extra layer of security to verify the user’s identity. Additionally, the encryption technologies used in digital wallets ensure the secure storage and transmission of digital credentials.
2. Frictionless Experience: Thanks to NFC technology, users can access places quickly and safely.
3. Streamlined security: With badges in digital wallets, key distribution and management across the entire company are streamlined as there is no need to print physical keys for employees or guests.
4. Convenience and Uninterrupted Access: If the user’s mobile device needs a charge, their badge will still work for up to five hours with power reserve/saver mode.
5. Protection on lost or stolen devices: If the device is lost or stolen, a locator app allows users to lock or locate the lost or stolen device to help locate their device, as well as suspend or remotely erase their badge.
6. Reduced costs: Adopting HID Mobile Access with digital wallets eliminates the need for producing and distributing physical badges, reducing associated costs such as printing, maintenance, and replacement. This shift to digital credentials also aligns with sustainability goals by reducing plastic waste.
7. Improved efficiency and scalability: Remote management and updating of credentials are possible through the HID Origo cloud platform. The modular, multilayered secure infrastructure is validated by industry-leading certifications and fully committed to via HID’s service level agreements and support. Using HID Origo for cloud-connected access control devices, applications, and trusted mobile identities, organisations can enhance security, improve workplace efficiency, and scale their access control infrastructure.

Another important argument for integrating employee ID cards onto a mobile device is sustainability. The production of corporate ID cards and matching sleeves consumes large amounts of plastic. In addition, companies often have to reissue the cards several times if they are lost. Digital employee ID cards, on the other hand, consume fewer resources and help companies meet their climate change goals.

“With digital employee badges, companies are adapting to the usage habits of their employees,” says Gustavo Gassmann, HID Vice President of Emerging Markets, PACS. “Mobile devices have become essential components of most people’s daily lives, not just for their useful features but also for the invaluable, convenient benefits they provide. And because people always have their devices with them, accessing places and moving around different parts of the building through them makes sense.”

Can you share a little bit about what it is that you do and what a typical day for you is like?
As the Global Director of Marketing Communications and Channel Marketing at HID, I lead a multidisciplinary team spread across four continents responsible for establishing and implementing marketing strategies focused on expanding brand awareness, boosting customer acquisition, supporting revenue attainment, and facilitating long-term growth.

A typical day starts with silent introspection, a mental checklist of topics that I aim to cover throughout the day, and a review of my calendar. My days vary with a mix of meetings with different members of my team, colleagues from the broader organization, external vendors, and our channel partners—ideating, collaborating, and executing. I spend at least an hour each day reading to stay up to date with industry news and the latest marketing trends. Working in an industry that is dynamic and fast-paced, staying current is crucial.

Did you always know that working in the industry you represent was what you wanted to do? How did you decide on it?
I had always wanted to be associated with the Tech industry, but through my previous roles I gained a deeper appreciation for ICT infrastructure and more so the critical role security plays here. Moving into the area of Identity Management and Access Control was a natural progression for me as I aimed for niche expertise and the core values of the industry resonated with me.

What first got you interested in the industry you work in?
HID had a green-field opportunity and I was approached to meet with the hiring manager. A 30-minute meeting turned into a 3-hour discussion; the organization’s vision, the impact it had, and the ethos of the industry inspired me. I knew then, as I know now that this is what I wanted to associate myself with.

Do you have a role model?
I have had the fortune of working with some of the best industry leaders and have many role models. My career trajectory has been shaped by each one of them—strong, independent, purpose-driven individuals who have guided me, nurtured me, challenged me, and championed me.

What obstacles did you have to overcome?
In my career, just like many other women, I have dealt with ageism, sexism, as well as cultural and racial biases—though not often. I remain thankful for the guidance and support that I received in tackling these, having always found allies to help me navigate these obstacles. From when I started to today, there is far more sensitivity in these areas and a lot of progress has been made.

Identifying these obstacles, navigating them, and rising above the challenges they bring is the only way to overcome them. It is that inner fortitude, conviction, and tenacity that are critical to power through these hurdles.

What advice would you give to a woman considering a career in the industry you represent? What do you wish you had known?
One piece of advice I would give is to remove all self-doubt. Women tend to put a myriad of self-imposed limitations that rob them of their self-confidence and snowball into a variety of negative outcomes. If this is the industry you intend to be a part of, then step up—seek out individuals in the field, organizations, and opportunities and make it happen for yourself!

If I could go back in time, I would tell my younger self to be more patient, have higher self-confidence, and shed the “imposter syndrome.” It is only when you speak up when you ask when you raise your hand that you will be heard, be considered for that opportunity, and have a shot at your spot on the table.

What do you do to unwind after work?
My day comes full circle with silent retrospection and a re-review of my mental checklist of topics. Depending on the time of year, it could be an outdoor walk or a trip to the gym followed by some downtime with a show or podcast and a book before lights out.

Tell us about your participation in Intersec.
HID has been participating in Intersec for many years now, and the event provides us with a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge and connect with security professionals across the region. This year, we are focusing on helping customers to understand the benefits of merging security and convenience through HID Mobile Access. Today, identity authentication and access can be granted via smartphones and smartwatches safely and conveniently. And as this technology evolves, it can play a far greater part to enhance the operational engineering, maintenance, and functioning of buildings.

Which products and solutions did you showcase at the event?
This year, our key focus is HID Mobile Access and readers, our premium solution that addresses protection, disruption, and sustainability. We also showcased other access control innovations like the cloud-based physical access control system HID Origo—a cloud-based mobile credential lifecycle management platform that’s integrated with an access control system and leverages HID’s Seos credential technology—and visitor management systems.

With many companies now adopting a hybrid work environment, what has changed in terms of security requirements and policies?
Today’s hybrid workplace is more complex, and the security of workspaces, people, and data is even more demanding. Security isn’t just a technical problem—and businesses face challenges in limiting and securing access to sensitive information and systems, adopting technologies to maintain employee productivity and ensure security, and enforcing security policies among other things.

But managing this risk is more about a change in the security mindset rather than trying to change systems, policies, and organizational behavior. There is often a misconception that security systems must be upgraded to meet the changes in policies and that upgrading to modern systems is complex and expensive. It is important to highlight that modern physical access control solutions today make the migration from older systems to digital IDs easy.

There are millions of HID readers installed already that are capable of using HID Mobile Access—either instantly or via a simple on-site upgrade. We can work with end users and partners to provide a free trial of HID Mobile Access to help them better understand the value it brings across an organization.

What sort of major trends have you seen in the Physical Access Control business area?
Key mobile access trends include the continued and growing need for future-proof solutions that provide contactless experiences and optimize flexibility through a greater choice of credential technologies. One example of what’s ahead in terms of technological trends can be seen in the growing popularity of digital wallets from major players such as Google, Apple, and Amazon. Expanded capabilities allow smartphone users, for example, to add keys, IDs, and digital documents directly in the wallet app. These include, but are not limited to, driver’s licenses, verifiable COVID-19 vaccination information, employee badges, student IDs, and hotel room keys.

Tell us about your presence and channel community in the region.
The Middle East and North Africa regions are culturally and economically diverse. Businesses in countries within the same region can have different budgetary constraints and technology demands. The good news for security professionals is that security is essential to every successful business.

HID counts on a close relationship with regional channel partners. We continue to focus on having a strong presence in the region, and thanks to our Advantage Partner Program, we’ve successfully accomplished that. Through our elite Advantage Partner Program, our channel marketing teams are closely aligned with our channel partners to support them with marketing and sales enablement materials, training, and resources.

How does technology contribute to sustainability?
Evolving technologies, such as 5G networks and artificial intelligence (AI), will enable more end-to-end, cloud-based solutions while reducing environmental impact. In the security industry, teams are already leveraging the cloud and IoT to deliver seamless end-user experiences utilizing connected architecture, multi-applications, and mobile devices for secure access that simplifies complexities optimizes processes and reduces resources.

A great example is commercial buildings. Cloud and IoT not only enable access control through mobile devices such as smartphones and watches, but they can help reduce the amount of energy consumption in commercial offices, as they can power lights, HVAC, and ancillary devices only when a space is being used. A key advantage of mobile access is the fact that users take far more care looking after their expensive smartphones compared to plastic access cards; which are quite often lost or misplaced.

What sort of sustainability efforts does your company practice?
HID’s sustainability approach is embedding sustainable values into our standard business practices. As such, our economic, environmental, and social indicators are a part of our organization’s success and culture. Key commitments include green building design for existing operations, remodels, and new construction; and an ongoing focus on global best practices for managing sustainability over the long term. We are positive stewards of our environments and drive this commitment through ongoing education and engagement.

Our products are met with the same level of stewardship. They feature Green Circle Certifications for dematerialization, energy efficiency, and product circularity, all of which offer our customers a more sustainable solution by keeping the product lifecycle at the forefront. Digital transformation has also driven HID to invest its R&D efforts in the mobile credentialing and digital identity and authentication space, developing products that reduce the need for plastic cards, in the case of HID® Mobile Access, and paper waste, in the case of digital IDs.

It’s also important to note that our global reach allows us to help customers in regionally specific ways thanks to our proximity to those markets. We have offices and manufacturing locations in several countries, giving us the flexibility to optimize shipping logistics and in turn maximize carbon emission reduction.

How do we need to look at sustainability beyond the use of “green energy”?  
HID has collaborative Green Teams across the globe that host local environmental events, helping to build a culture of commitment and duty of care. Recognizing that we are the industry-leading manufacturer of trusted identity solutions sets the bar high for how we conduct business. Our culture, ambitions, and priorities enable and empower us to move beyond a key process indicator (KPI) and do more good for the planet, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (6,8,9,11,12, and 13) through all functions of our business areas and opportunistic ventures. Globally, we support causes such as World Children’s Day, One Tree Planted, Habitat for Humanity, and various Community Clean Up programs.

Additionally, HID has aligned with science-based targets to reduce our carbon footprint by half by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2050. We are working diligently across all aspects of our portfolio, embedding real estate, supply chain, quality, value analysis and value engineering (VA/VE), product innovation, and operations to enable opportunistic ideation to meet these ambitious targets. We recognize there is no planet B, and we are doing our part to be good stewards by engaging in our local communities as often and as much as we can.

Are there local or regional initiatives that encourage companies to adopt best practices?
The global case for sustainability is evident through the effects we see from climate change, and organizations across the globe can unite by taking action. Building capital investments into a company’s short- and long-term strategy to minimize its environmental impact is key. Connecting with local municipalities, understanding the struggles and the issues in the community, and working together to find solutions help build trust and resilience.

Partnering with the municipalities on local government incentives is a great catalyst for the sustainability journey. As a best practice, it is good to be certified to ISO 14001 for Environmental Management or 50001 for Energy Management; both standards set the framework for continuous improvement, ensuring objectives and targets are at the core of an organization’s growth strategy.

We encourage our local offices to partner with local municipalities on Community Impact Programs, for example. We also design our facilities based on LEED and WELL best practices. As such, we are proud that our corporate headquarters in Austin, Texas, has achieved LEED Platinum Certification and that our Galway facility was recently recognized as a finalist in the Galway Chamber of Commerce Business Award for Sustainability.

What challenges are there on the journey toward net zero, and how can technology help solve those issues?
The journey to net zero requires a mindset change and transformation of the current infrastructure and systems that support our global economy. New critical minerals will be in great demand, such as lithium for the production of batteries used in electric vehicles, and the long-term effects of such minerals on the environment have yet to be fully investigated. The key will be transitioning from carbon intensity without compromising practicality, affordability, and longer-term sustainability. We will need a lot of ingenuity and innovation.

A recent example of how HID is using technology, innovation, and ingenuity on the journey to net zero is our Placard team in Melbourne, Australia. HID acquired Placard, the largest manufacturer of secure cards in Australasia in 2019, and through innovation and partnerships, Placard has partnered with Rigoli Group not just to simply recycle but upcycle Placard PVC surplus, including offcuts with magnetic strips, inlays, and chips. Another local company, Think Fencing then takes the finely milled powder and incorporates their own additives to upcycle this into household products such as fencing and decking. And this is only the beginning. As this technology is adopted by other businesses, we anticipate more products emerging from our plastic surplus. This is a great example of how our manufacturing sites across the globe demonstrate HID’s “think globally, act locally” mentality.

What factors can help companies advance toward their sustainability goals?
It is important to have strong alignment among departments and regions, a sustained governance model, and defined investments to support global and local initiatives. A good starting point is to embed sustainability as part of the company’s core purpose and integrate it into strategies such as product development, travel programs, facility selection, design, and management.

It’s also important to understand that people are at the heart of sustainable development, moving beyond words and turning ambitions into actions. Preserving the company’s overall culture while empowering the local micro-cultures and celebrating successes keeps the momentum going. In simple terms, the journey for a better, sustainable planet is about culture, commitment, collaboration, and celebration.

From 2019 through 2021, nearly 1,900 healthcare data breaches of 500 or more records have been reported to the Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. Those breaches exposed the sensitive and supposedly protected health information of 49.8 million individuals in 2021, an 11% increase compared to 2019. The reasons for security attacks are obvious and not so obvious.

The Root Cause of Most Healthcare Security Breaches
The human element, such as phishing, stolen credentials, and human error, causes 82% of data breaches. It is little wonder that these conditions pose critical security and financial risks to the healthcare industry.

One of the obvious reasons for security breaches is that healthcare workers log in to multiple computer systems dozens of times per shift. Consequently, healthcare workers must remember eight to 20 passwords to access patient-care applications.

Because they work under extreme time constraints and need to remember complicated, ever-changing passwords, some healthcare workers engage in risky password behaviours. For example, 51% of people reuse work passwords in their personal lives. Unfortunately, 44% of people know the risks of reusing passwords but do it anyway; and 69% of employees admit to sharing passwords with colleagues at work. These conditions lead to compromised, weak, and reused passwords, causing 81% of data breaches.

Moreover, for the past 12 years, healthcare, one of the more highly regulated industries, has suffered the highest average cost due to system breaches.  An individual’s health data on the black market can be worth more than a credit card because patient records often contain all their personal and financial information (PII).

Malicious actors also seek healthcare organization vulnerabilities in not-so-obvious ways, like those found in outdated IT infrastructure or software. Another not-so-obvious target is a healthcare worker’s use of personal devices that connect to the network. And even internet-connected medical devices like insulin pumps and heart rate monitors are an easy gateway to accessing the servers holding patient data.

How Biometric Authentication Provides a Cure for the Common Password
Preventing those breaches is critical to protecting patient privacy and confidentiality. This makes biometric authentication a critical element of a healthcare organization’s identity assurance strategy.

Biometric authentication delivers the highest level of identity assurance. While passwords are easy to forget, and wristbands and ID cards can be misplaced or stolen, biometric markers are unique to each individual and cannot be lost or forgotten. Biometric technology relies on something we always have with us: our fingerprints or faces.

Here’s how biometric authentication works. It compares two sets of data, the first is preset by the device owner, and the second belongs to the device visitor. If the two data are nearly identical, the device knows that “visitor” and “owner” are one and the same and gives access to the visitor.

Biometric authentication provides a cure for the common password by providing healthcare organizations with the following benefits:

• Irrefutable proof of presence for regulatory and legal compliance. Biometric authentication provides instant insights into who accessed which systems and resources and accurately identify patients across multiple systems and facilities.
• Fast and easy patient identity assurance. Biometric matching takes a fraction of a second. Accelerated access to patient data enables clinicians to be more productive and provide better care throughout the patient journey. Biometric authentication streamlines patient registration, check-in, and care eligibility verification. And, in a health emergency, quick, easy, and comprehensive access to medical records saves lives.
• Minimized human intervention for improved data accuracy. Biometric identification is automated, frictionless, and sterile. It ensures data accuracy even when people wear surgical masks, and it eliminates duplicate medical records. Fingerprint scanners have accuracy rates above 99.5%. Best-in-class facial recognition systems deliver an error rate of just 0.08%.
• Mitigated risks of patient misidentification. Patient misidentification costs the healthcare system billions of dollars each year. And more important, it can lead to tragic medical errors that cause temporary or permanent patient harm. Biometric technologies mitigate these risks by increasing accuracy and tying identification to something people always have with them — their fingerprints or faces.
• Reduced identity fraud. Nearly 43,000 cases of medical identity theft were reported to the Federal Trade Commission in 2021. By extending security to systems that contain personal and sensitive data, biometrics increases the privacy of those individuals and reduces the risk of identity theft.

Are you participating in GITEX 2021? If yes, which products and solutions will you be showcasing at GITEX Technology Week?
Yes, HID has exhibited at GITEX multiple times and we look forward to attending this year’s show. It is a valuable show that allows HID to connect with partners, customers, and end-users in the Dubai area and beyond. We will be showcasing many of our Secure Issuance (SI) and Identity Authentication Management Solutions (IAMS) products and solutions.

What are your expectations from the event this year?
Our main objectives are to reconnect with our partners and end-users, as well as highlight relevant security and identity management technologies. We look forward to reconnecting with thought leaders and influencers in the industry while highlighting our solutions that secure access to physical and digital resources, as well as streamlining card issuance and personalization. We are also excited to receive feedback from users of our solutions and learn more about new technologies and industry trends.

Do you hope for a business relief from the event?
We believe that having an in-person event like GITEX is a positive step toward returning to normalcy for businesses, which we hope is a positive sign for business growth.

What will be your theme of participation at GITEX?
HID’s key message at this year’s GITEX is simple: we secure the trusted identities of the world’s people, places, and things. As the world continues to adapt to current conditions while also looking to the future, our team is here to ensure our partners and end-users are empowered to secure and protect their identities, no matter where they may be.

How have your regional strategies changed in recent months?
We are dedicated to ensuring our partners and end-users are well taken care of, including the ability to leverage security and identity technology to respond to the pandemic and prepare for the new normal.

Our team is looking forward to safely participating in GITEX 2021 event. Much like other exhibitors, we have shifted focus to digital and online touchpoints. Because our relationships are so important to us, it will be a special opportunity to interact with our customers and partners face-to-face again.