HID Empowered Saudi Partners with Next-Gen Access Control at Intersec 2025
Sam Cherif, Senior Commercial Director of MEA at HID, explained that at Intersec Saudi Arabia 2025, HID showcased advanced biometric, mobile, and cybersecure access solutions aligned with Vision 2030, empowering smart cities, critical infrastructure, and enterprises with trusted, future-ready security ecosystems.
What specific security challenges or priorities in the Saudi market does HID aim to address through its showcase at Intersec Saudi Arabia 2025?
Saudi Arabia is undergoing one of the world’s most ambitious transformations, with Vision 2030 fueling mega-projects, digitalization, and the rapid growth of smart cities. This rapid pace of development brings complex security challenges, from securing critical infrastructure to enabling seamless, trusted access for millions of people across high-traffic environments like airports, hospitals, and commercial hubs. At Intersec Saudi Arabia 2025, we are showcasing technologies designed to address these exact priorities.
Our latest portfolio, from biometric facial recognition readers to mobile-first access solutions and intelligent controllers, empowers organizations to move beyond siloed security systems toward interoperable, future-ready ecosystems. For example, our new HID Amico readers provide fast, contactless, and highly secure authentication, while our Mercury and Aero intelligent controllers deliver scalability, cybersecurity, and operational efficiency in a single platform.
We also see a growing need for mobile and digital credentialing as organizations accelerate their digital transformation journeys. HID Mobile Access integrates seamlessly with Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, offering convenience without compromising security. Ultimately, our mission is to help organizations across every industry protect what matters most, while supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambition to build smart, connected, and secure environments that inspire confidence and enable progress.
How is HID aligning its physical access control and identity solutions with the security needs of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 infrastructure and smart city projects?
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is not just about building infrastructure, it’s about creating safe, smart, and connected ecosystems where people, assets, and data move securely and efficiently. HID’s portfolio aligns directly with this ambition by delivering integrated solutions that combine physical access control, biometric authentication, mobile credentials, and cybersecurity into a single, future-ready framework.
A prime example is our HID Amico Biometric Facial Recognition Readers, now available in the Kingdom. These readers offer fast, secure, and contactless access, with color LCD displays. The are ideal for high-traffic environments and mid-sized organizations looking for modern and easy-to-manage solutions. Designed with the highest standards of privacy and security, HID Amico offers an optional Template on Card feature which ensures that biometric data is stored securely on the user’s credential rather than in a centralized database. This is especially relevant for projects where data sovereignty and decentralized identity management are critical.
Together with our mobile-first HID Mobile Access platform, Amico enhances user experience while maintaining robust protection. Mega-projects like NEOM and Qiddiya demand exactly this level of innovation – solutions that scale effortlessly across vast infrastructures while integrating with IoT devices, smart building systems, and urban mobility platforms.
Additionally, our Mercury and Aero controllers provide the backbone for secure, interoperable access ecosystems. These solutions enable real-time monitoring, cyber-hardened infrastructure, and centralized management, all of which are key requirements for the Kingdom’s smart city ambitions. By aligning our technology roadmap with Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation priorities, we are helping to build the secure, data-driven environments envisioned under Vision 2030. Our role is to ensure that as cities become smarter and more connected, security remains a seamless enabler of innovation, trust, and growth.
Saudi Arabia is witnessing rapid growth in critical infrastructure and urban development. How do HID’s technologies support sectors such as government, energy, and commercial real estate?
Each sector in Saudi Arabia has unique security needs, but all share a common priority: protecting people, assets, and data while enabling operational efficiency and convenience. HID’s technologies are designed precisely to address this balance. In the government and energy sectors, for instance, where security is non-negotiable, our Mercury Intelligent Controllers and HID Aero Controllers provide the robust, highly resilient, and cyber-secure backbone required to protect vital national assets. These intelligent controllers can handle vast, evolving system environments and offer advanced cybersecurity features crucial for critical infrastructure protection.
For commercial real estate and smart buildings, the focus shifts to maximizing convenience and operational efficiency. Here, solutions like our HID Signo Readers and HID Mobile Access are in high demand. Commercial developers are prioritizing mobile-first solutions to deliver a secure, convenient, and modern experience for tenants, visitors, and employees. This transition from traditional card access to mobile credentials and touchless biometrics is transforming the built environment, supporting the real estate sector’s move toward smart, people-centric spaces while aligning with the Kingdom’s broader digitalization goals.
What kind of feedback or interest did you receive from Saudi-based partners, integrators, and end users during Intersec, and how will this shape your go-to-market approach in the Kingdom?
The response from our Saudi partners, integrators, and end users has been overwhelmingly positive, reflecting the Kingdom’s readiness to embrace next-generation security technologies. Their feedback was overwhelmingly focused on the need for integration and future-proofing, meaning that they are looking beyond standalone products and that they want complete, trusted identity ecosystems that can evolve with the rapid pace of Vision 2030. Partners were excited about our Mercury and Aero intelligent controllers, which deliver flexibility, interoperability, and cyber-hardened security. End users, meanwhile, appreciated the convenience and scalability of HID Mobile Access, especially its integration with Apple Wallet and Google Wallet for a frictionless access experience.
This feedback will help shape our go-to-market approach in three ways: First, by deepening our channel expertise to ensure our partners are certified and equipped to implement these complex, integrated solutions. Second, by prioritizing local-market innovation, tailoring our global portfolio to meet specific regulatory and operational requirements. Finally, by continuing to invest in our local team and partnerships, we ensure that we are not just a technology vendor but a long-term, trusted partner in building the Kingdom’s secure future.
With mobile and biometric access gaining traction, how ready is the Saudi market for these technologies, and what role is HID playing in driving adoption locally?
At HID, we believe that the Saudi market is not just ready for mobile and biometric access; it is actively leading the adoption curve in the Middle East. This readiness is a direct result of the nation’s ambitious digital transformation agenda, which places a high value on efficiency, convenience, and secure digital services. It is evident in the government’s push for e-government services and the deployment of biometrics in national ID programs. These efforts are driving the growth of Saudi Arabia’s security market which is projected to grow from $2.0 billion in 2024 to $3.4 billion by 2030.
HID is playing a central role in supporting this growth. Our HID Mobile Access platform is the industry benchmark for secure, mobile-first access, allowing organizations to replace traditional physical cards with a user-friendly, secure credential on a smartphone or smartwatch. It delivers exactly what the market seeks: a future-ready system that enhances security while providing the “friction-free” convenience expected in a smart city environment. Furthermore, the introduction of our HID Amico Biometric Facial Recognition Readers is making contactless, high-security authentication accessible and easy to manage for mid-sized and large organizations alike. We’re working closely with integrators to deploy these solutions at scale, ensuring a seamless, secure, and smart transition to the next generation of access control.
Looking ahead, how does HID plan to deepen its presence and partnerships in Saudi Arabia’s growing security ecosystem beyond trade show participation?
Trade shows like Intersec are indeed invaluable for engaging with customers and partners, but our commitment to Saudi Arabia goes far beyond event participation. We view the Kingdom as one of our most significant growth markets globally, and our plan is to invest in three core areas to deepen our local presence and support the goals of Vision 2030. First, local talent and infrastructure; we are continually expanding our team in Saudi Arabia and enhancing our technical resources to provide localized support, training, and consultation that aligns with the specific needs and compliance standards of the Kingdom.
Second, strategic channel empowerment: we are focused on strengthening our partnerships with local distributors and system integrators. This means more intensive certification programs and joint go-to-market initiatives to ensure our partners are fully equipped to deliver, install, and support our most advanced, converged security ecosystems. Lastly, localized innovation; we are committed to bringing our latest global technologies to the market rapidly, tailored for local deployment. Our goal is to be the trusted partner who powers the secure identities that enable people to work productively, transact safely, and live securely in Saudi Arabia’s connected future.
