In conversation with Isaac Young, VP & Head of FARGO, HID and Christopher Smith, Director EMEA & ANZ -IAMS, HID as they discuss trends in IAM industry, their GITEX 2024 presence and Sustainability approach.
Tell us about your GITEX 2024 showcase, what was on showcase this year?
We unveiled the latest innovations designed to meet the evolving security needs of global enterprises. This includes the introduction of the FARGO HDP5000e, which is built on the rock-solid foundation of the renowned printer series and proven retransfer technology over the last 25 years. In addition, we are also showcasing visitor management solutions and identity and access management solutions. These offerings are designed to cater to customers across the region, demonstrating how we streamline identity mapping and access control, as well as emerge as the next iteration of this market-leading solution, poised to redefine the standards of reliability, usability and printing excellence.
Sustainability is a key focus for tech companies worldwide. Can you share your sustainability approach?
We’ve set science-based targets as part of HID, pushing us to enhance our environmental impact. For example, HDP5000e we’ve reduced the carbon footprint in its manufacturing process by 3%. This is a step we’re proud of, and we’re exploring even more sustainable options for card personalization materials. Currently, cards are often made from PVC or PPT, which aren’t environmentally friendly. Our material science team is researching alternatives like seaweed, algae, and organic materials such as corn. Personalizing these alternative materials can be a challenge, but we’re committed to finding better solutions for the print media as well.
How are you integrating AI in your offerings and helping companies with their AI Adoption goals?
Regarding AI, it’s essential to use it responsibly, ensuring safety, data protection, and transparency in model training. We’ve all experienced AI tools like ChatGPT delivering responses that didn’t sit right. That’s why we’re cautious, but AI has proven beneficial in specific scenarios. For instance, in North America, we’ve partnered with a company to use AI to optimize identity photos—cleaning up distractions such as background imperfections. While we don’t use AI to generate fake identities, it helps enhance the quality of legitimate photos. In terms of AI, we’re also leveraging private GPT models, which allow us to maintain control over data and trust in our systems, speeding up decision-making and conducting in-depth analysis with reliable data sets.
How was the response from visitors and industry peers at GITEX? Any new announcements or launches that you’d like to share more about?
We are thrilled to announce some organizational changes. We’ve decided to separate our European and Middle Eastern teams, which were previously combined under one region. We’re happy to welcome Nat Pisupati, Director of Sales for Middle East & Africa at HID, who has joined the FARGO team. He brings significant experience, and we look forward to seeing his impact in the region.
In addition, we are transitioning to a SaaS cloud platform, which offers businesses a more scalable, cost-effective solution. This shift aligns with industry trends, as more organizations recognize the value of cloud-based technologies for managing identity and security.
Speaker: Christopher Smith, Director EMEA & ANZ – IAMS, HID
The tech landscape in the Middle East is rapidly evolving. How do you plan to optimize opportunities in this region?
In terms of technology, we’re focused on capitalizing on developments in the Identity and access space. Mobile access and identities are becoming more prevalent. Now, you might think that a company manufacturing printing devices would see this as a threat, but we view it as a complementary technology. For instance, at events, you might see people using physical badges to access doors while also having their identity on an app. Both methods coexist, and we’re pleased to support both as we move forward.
What are some key trends to look out for?
One of the key trends we’re witnessing is the shift towards mobile access solutions, such as Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, which enable seamless identity verification and access to environments. Biometrics is also becoming a critical technology in this space. Our system simplifies these technologies by integrating various identity solutions and allowing businesses to manage access efficiently. Whether it’s employees, contractors, or consultants, our system ensures they have the right access at the right time, while maintaining high security standards.
What’s equally important is the ability to monitor insider threats. Our risk analytics module is designed to identify unusual behavior, such as accessing restricted areas or entering the premises during non-working hours. Whether intentional or accidental, these actions are flagged, allowing businesses to investigate and address potential risks proactively.
