Viakoo - Experts & Thought Leaders

Mercury Security, the pioneer in open architecture access control hardware, is launching a new addition to its industry-defining controller platform—the Mercury embedded application environment, an open platform that enables technology partners and OEMs to develop and deploy custom applications directly on Mercury MP Controllers. “We have a lot of exciting things happening at Mercury,” said Steve Lucas, vice president of sales at Mercury Security. “We are excited to show customers the Mercury embedded application environment running on Mercury MP Intelligent Controllers, along with a range of new solutions targeting the platform. We’re giving our partners the ability to develop directly on the controller, unlocking new levels of system intelligence at the edge.”  Traditional access controllers Unlike traditional access controllers that rely on server-based logic and are limited in upstream system connections, this platform brings real-time logic processing to the edge—reducing latency, increasing availability and enhancing system redundancy. By shifting intelligence closer to the door, the platform improves system responsiveness, minimises network dependency and enables advanced operational features. It also simplifies interoperability, seamlessly integrating controllers, IoT devices, elevators, readers, locks and more. Access control and IoT ecosystem Mercury embedded application environment delivers unmatched flexibility For access control and IoT ecosystem stakeholders who need a secure, scalable and customisable platform, the Mercury embedded application environment delivers unmatched flexibility—supporting third-party app integration and enabling custom business logic to run directly on the controller. Instead of just linking a reader to a management system for access decisions, Mercury controllers act as a nexus, integrating multiple systems and devices for broader functionality and stronger performance. Intelligent security systems “The access control industry is shifting toward more decentralised, intelligent security systems,” said Daniel Gundlach, vice president, head of Physical Access Control Solutions business unit in North America at HID. “Our embedded application environment gives our partners the tools to build smarter, more adaptable solutions that align with today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.”  Key launch partners and apps Mercury is showcasing the broad capabilities of its embedded application environment in collaboration with key launch partners and their certified apps: ASSA ABLOY HES KS210 OSDP Access Control Server Cabinet Lock: With the Mercury KS210 device app, OEMs can now quickly & easily add support for up to 32 KS210 OSDP server cabinet locks without the need to build custom integrations. HID pivCLASS: Enables pivCLASS support on Mercury MP Intelligent Controllers, adding PKI-based authentication at the door to meet security standards required in government facilities and other regulated industries. SecuriThings: This system-class app simplifies security audits by discovering devices on the network and generating detailed reports on their status, including firmware versions, host connectivity and other key security metrics. Viakoo: This SaaS application maintains system health across CPS environments, such as physical security. System reliability is ensured with real-time monitoring, vulnerability identification, lifecycle data, and other critical details. Viakoo takes action to remediate vulnerabilities with firmware updates, password rotations, and certificate management.  New standard in access control Mercury MP Controllers quickly set a new standard in access control, offering unprecedented flexibility Launched in June 2024, Mercury MP Controllers quickly set a new standard in access control, offering unprecedented flexibility. These controllers are the foundation for the Mercury embedded application environment, enabling software providers and integrators to seamlessly combine access control technologies, elevator control, building automation, IoT applications and third-party solutions into a unified, centralised infrastructure.  This flexible approach eliminates vendor lock-in and provides the freedom to choose the right solution for specific customer requirements while future-proofing investments. OEMs and integrators Mercury Security, an HID company, has pioneered flexible hardware solutions that empower OEMs and integrators to create best-in-class systems for over 30 years. Mercury MP Controllers support a wide range of consistent standards, including OSDP, MQTT and TLS, ensuring interoperability across access control, building automation and IoT applications. The Mercury embedded application environment is available for developers now.

Viakoo, a pioneer in Cyber-Physical Systems and Internet of Things vulnerability remediation, announced significant platform enhancements, strategic partnerships, and a clear path forward to address the escalating challenge of AI-driven cyber threats to the physical security industry. The company made the announcement at ISC West 2025, underscoring its commitment to a proactive, collaborative approach. In a related move, Viakoo has also issued an Open Letter to the Physical Security community, advocating for a vendor-neutral, united effort to tackle the evolving security and operational complexities within physical security systems. Enhanced Viakoo action platform Demonstrated at ISC West 2025, the flagship Viakoo Action Platform features powerful new capabilities designed to empower physical security teams to operate securely and quickly: Reasoning Engine: based on 2 billion hours of production use at leading organisations. Modernised User Interface: Featuring a sleek dark mode, a rapid UI refresh for enhanced responsiveness, and proven scalability to manage tens of thousands of devices, the platform offers an improved and more efficient user experience as well as the latest in cyber protection. Accelerated Reporting: Organisations can now generate detailed reports across all levels of their security infrastructure hierarchy with unprecedented speed, providing critical insights for proactive threat management and compliance. Streamlined CPS Application and Device Integration: The platform significantly reduces the time required to onboard previously unsupported devices from months to days, ensuring comprehensive coverage and faster time-to-value. AI-Powered Support and Knowledge Base: Leveraging artificial intelligence, Viakoo’s support system now offers intuitive natural language query capabilities and context-aware knowledge base searching, enabling faster issue resolution and improved user experience. Strategic partnerships expand Viakoo Action Platform running directly on the Mercury embedded application Building on its position as the platform with the broadest integration ecosystem in the physical security industry (now exceeding 100 partners), Viakoo announced a key partnership with Mercury Security. Attendees at ISC West can witness the seamless integration of the Viakoo Action Platform running directly on the Mercury embedded application environment in the Mercury booth (#27109). This deep integration provides enhanced security and operational efficiencies for joint customers. Recognising the urgent need to address the rapidly evolving landscape of AI-driven cyber threats, Viakoo is actively engaging with industry leaders and experts. Visionaries The company’s advisory board, including prominent figures like Todd Christensen (Business Information Security Officer, Medical-Surgical Business Unit at McKesson Corporation), Maria Sumnicht (National Director Cybersecurity, Task Force on National and Homeland Security), and Michael Parker (CMO at ReversingLabs) is playing a crucial role in guiding Viakoo’s strategic direction and ensuring its solutions are at the forefront of threat identification and remediation. The Open Letter issued by Viakoo further emphasises the necessity for industry-wide collaboration to establish effective defenses against these sophisticated attacks. Quote from Viakoo CEO “This year at ISC West marks a pivotal moment for the physical security industry as we collectively confront the increasing sophistication of cyber threats,” stated Bud Broomhead , CEO of Viakoo. “The enhancements to our Viakoo Action Platform, coupled with our expanding partnerships and the guidance of our esteemed advisory board, directly address our customers’ urgent need for continuous visibility, operational resilience, and robust security across their physical security and other CPS systems. Viakoo remains dedicated to its vision of autonomously securing these critical environments and eliminating risk.”

Mercury Security, the pioneer in open architecture access control hardware, returns to ISC West to highlight a new addition to their industry-defining controller platform—the Mercury embedded application environment, an open platform that enables technology partners and OEMs to develop and deploy custom applications directly on Mercury MP Controllers. “We have a lot of exciting things happening at Mercury, and a dedicated booth at ISC West is the perfect place to showcase them,” said Steve Lucas, vice president of sales at Mercury Security. Range of new solutions Unlike traditional access controllers that rely on server-based logic and are limited in upstream Lucas added: “We are excited to show customers the Mercury embedded application environment running on Mercury MP Intelligent Controllers, along with a range of new solutions targeting the platform. We’re giving our partners the ability to develop directly on the controller, unlocking new levels of system intelligence at the edge.”  Unlike traditional access controllers that rely on server-based logic and are limited in upstream system connections, this platform brings real-time logic processing to the edge—reducing latency, increasing availability and enhancing system redundancy. Access control and IoT ecosystem By shifting intelligence closer to the door, the platform improves system responsiveness, minimises network dependency and enables advanced operational features. It also simplifies interoperability, seamlessly integrating controllers, IoT devices, elevators, readers, locks and more. For access control and IoT ecosystem stakeholders who need a secure, scalable and customisable platform, the Mercury embedded application environment delivers unmatched flexibility—supporting third-party app integration and enabling custom business logic to run directly on the controller.  Integrating multiple systems and devices Mercury controllers act as a nexus, integrating multiple systems and devices for broader functionality Instead of just linking a reader to a management system for access decisions, Mercury controllers act as a nexus, integrating multiple systems and devices for broader functionality and stronger performance. “The access control industry is shifting toward more decentralised, intelligent security systems,” said Daniel Gundlach, vice president, head of Physical Access Control Solutions business unit in North America at HID. “Our embedded application environment gives our partners the tools to build smarter, more adaptable solutions that align with today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.”  Key launch partners At ISC West, Mercury is showcasing the broad capabilities of its embedded application environment in collaboration with key launch partners and their certified apps: ASSA ABLOY HES KS210 OSDP Access Control Server Cabinet Lock: With the Mercury KS210 device app, OEMs can now quickly & easily add support for up to 32 KS210 OSDP server cabinet locks without the need to build custom integrations. HID pivCLASS: Enables pivCLASS support on Mercury MP Intelligent Controllers, adding PKI-based authentication at the door to meet security standards required in government facilities and other regulated industries. SecuriThings: This system-class app simplifies security audits by discovering devices on the network and generating detailed reports on their status, including firmware versions, host connectivity and other key security metrics. Viakoo: This SaaS application maintains system health across CPS environments, such as physical security. System reliability is ensured with real-time monitoring, vulnerability identification, lifecycle data, and other critical details. Viakoo takes action to remediate vulnerabilities with firmware updates, password rotations, and certificate management.  New standard in access control Mercury MP Controllers quickly set a new standard in access control, offering unprecedented flexibility Launched in June 2024, Mercury MP Controllers quickly set a new standard in access control, offering unprecedented flexibility. These controllers are the foundation for the Mercury embedded application environment, enabling software providers and integrators to seamlessly combine access control technologies, elevator control, building automation, IoT applications and third-party solutions into a unified, centralised infrastructure.  This flexible approach eliminates vendor lock-in and provides the freedom to choose the right solution for specific customer requirements while future-proofing investments. Mercury MP Controllers Mercury Security, an HID company, has pioneered flexible hardware solutions that empower OEMs and integrators to create best-in-class systems for over 30 years.  Mercury MP Controllers support a wide range of consistent standards, including OSDP, MQTT and TLS, ensuring interoperability across access control, building automation and IoT applications.

When security topics become a part of current events, it is usually in a negative light. Security generally only becomes news when it fails, sometimes in a dramatic, high profile and tragic way. However, security failures can also shed light on lessons learned and opportunities to improve. Working toward better security can translate into the purchase of more goods and equipment supplied by our market. For additional insights into the intersection of security and current events, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Good news or bad news? How do news reports and/or current events influence the general public’s opinion of physical security?

As the Internet of Things (IoT) and other trends drive the convergence of physical and information security, integrators and end users attending ISC West may be struggling to keep pace with new areas of responsibility and expanding roles in the larger security ecosystem. Help is here. The Connected Security Expo, co-locating with ISC West, focuses on building a holistic security strategy for the connected enterprise. Exhibitors will focus on how physical and information security can be used together to mitigate new and emerging cyber-threats in a hyper-connected world. Connected Security Expo provides attendees access to cutting-edge products and technology in both the physical and IT secure realms. It is clearly a growth factor in the market. Here’s a look at some of the companies on display in the 2019 Connected Security Expo: Integrated video cloud service The AI-powered video analysis software suite delivers high-speed object search and facial classification Arcules provides the Arcules integrated video cloud service, which combines untapped video and sensor data with the latest technologies in cloud, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to deliver actionable business and security intelligence for modern organisations. The cloud-based service is designed to ensure security, scalability, streamlined operations, and bandwidth management — all from a single, easy-to-use interface. Hardware-accelerated solutions BrainChip Inc. is a global developer of software and hardware-accelerated solutions for advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning applications. The AI-powered video analysis software suite delivers high-speed object search and facial classification for law enforcement, counter terrorism and intelligence agencies. PSIM software platform CNL Software Inc. is an open, adaptable, scalable and secure Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) solutions provider. The IPSecurity Center PSIM software platform helps law enforcement, government agencies, the military, public and private critical infrastructure, transportation networks, corporations and campuses to integrate, automate and manage systems, allowing better security intelligence and improved operational efficiency. Facial recognition software IOmniscient Corp. provides facial recognition software that can recognise multiple faces even in crowded and uncontrolled scenes IOmniscient Corp. provides facial recognition software that can recognise multiple faces even in crowded and uncontrolled scenes. Matching faces with an existing database, the system can detect an unauthorised person and track him or her across non-overlapping cameras. Enhance situational awareness Oncam offers 360 and 180-degree video technology. The company has the largest range of wide-angle cameras that are open platform and easy to integrate. Unique dewarping technology allows the creation of award-winning video solutions for stakeholders from the C-suite to the security officer in wide range of industry segments. Oncam’s products greatly enhance situational awareness. Enterprise-class security Pivot3 is a provider of intelligent solutions using hyperconverged infrastructure. Pivot3’s intelligent infrastructure is optimised to deliver performance, resilience, scalability and ease-of-use required for enterprise-class security, video surveillance and IoT deployments. Electronic physical security The UL 2900-1 standard offers general requirements for software cybersecurity for network-connectable productsUL LLC is working to increase the prominence of the Underwriter Laboratories brand in cybersecurity with the UL Cybersecurity Assurance Program (CAP). The UL 2900-1 standard, the standard that offers general requirements for software cybersecurity for network-connectable products, was published in 2016 and in July 2017 was published as an ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standard. The standard was developed with cooperation from end users such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. National Laboratories, and other industry stakeholders. UL 2900-2-3 – the standard that focuses on electronic physical security/life safety & security industry, was published in September 2017. Proactive automated system Viakoo is a provider of the security industry’s first proactive automated system and data verification solution. Create significant value Vidsys is innovating and accelerating a transition to Converged Security and Information Management or CSIM. The company is committed to educating and supporting customers with their evolving needs to provide a more holistic view of risk and throughout the overall business process re-engineering necessary to create significant value across the entire organisation.

The physical security industry is embracing the cloud in a big way. Cloud-based systems – which involve accessing a shared pool of information technology resources via the Internet – are much higher-profile in the video and access control markets, and large and small companies are getting on the cloud bandwagon. We asked this week's Expert Panel Roundtable: What factors are contributing to growth in cloud systems in the security market?