Volume 46

Volume 46 | January 30, 2026

Articles
Lindsay Martin-Nez | It’s 2026 and Badges Matter More than Ever
In today’s more distributed workplace, ID badges are becoming powerful tools for connection, culture, and trust. Lindsay argues that in 2026, the smallest workplace details are doing some of the biggest work. Read the full piece below.

Podcasts
Podcast Debut | Secured — Episode 1
Secured is a new weekly podcast and videocast delivering fast, clear insights into the business, technology, and culture shaping the global physical security industry. Available on all podcast platforms and YouTube. Listen now.

Secured: Live from Intersec Dubai 2026
Alex Holmstrom, Acre Security
Matt Bennett, Alert Enterprise

Breaking News
TACC & DHI Announce Partnership
TACC, ELF & ALOA Announce Partnership
TACC & SBC Announce Partnership

Go deeper with this week’s highlights below

In 2026, work doesn’t look the way it used to, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Teams are more flexible, offices are more dynamic, and people are more intentional about where and how they show up. But as work has become more distributed, one challenge has quickly grown: personal connection.

This is where ID badges come in.

For years, badges were treated as a necessary but forgettable tool.  They were often seen as something you clipped on for access and security, then promptly ignored. Today, they’re becoming something much more powerful. ID badges are one of the few physical touchpoints that connect people to their organization, their workplace, and to one another.

When employees come into an office, whether that’s daily, several times each week or a few times each year, those moments matter. ID badges help eliminate friction right away. They make introductions to co-workers easier. When designed correctly, they can be used to spark conversations. They remind us of names, roles, and shared purpose. In a world where not everyone knows everyone anymore, simple visibility goes a long way.

Badges are also evolving into expressions of culture. Design, branding, and personalization are no longer “nice to have”.  A thoughtfully designed badge says you belong here. You are a part of something.  It reflects company values, reinforces identity, and creates pride in being a member of the team. When employees feel connected to the brand they represent, it shows up in how they engage and collaborate.

There’s also an important trust element. Clear identification creates safer, more inclusive environments. Everyone can easily identify who belongs in a space, and who does not. That clarity builds confidence and psychological safety, two things every organization needs more of.

As leaders think about culture and connection in 2026, it’s time to stop treating ID badges as an afterthought. They’re not just credentials. They’re not just a utility designed to open a door.  They’re symbols of belonging, tools for connection, and bridges between people and the places where they work.

Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference. And in today’s workplace, the humble ID badge is doing more heavy lifting than ever.

Podcast Debut! | Secured | Episode 1

Secured is a new weekly podcast and videocast delivering fast, clear insights into the business, technology, and culture shaping the global physical security industry. Available on all podcast platforms and YouTube. Listen to episode 1 now.

Podcast | Secured: Live from Intersec Dubai 2026: Alex Holmstrom, Acre Security

Recorded live at Intersec Dubai, Alex Holmstrom discusses global security trends, the Middle East’s growing influence, and what comes next beyond the cloud.

Podcast | Secured: Live from Intersec Dubai 2026: Matt Bennett, Alert Enterprise

Episode 2 continues the series with a look at Middle East market realities, identity-driven access control, and what it will take to lower barriers to adoption.