Enabling secure, seamless authentication

At GITEX GLOBAL 2025, HID spotlighted its leadership in secure identity solutions with new innovations designed to make authentication simpler, faster, and stronger. In this interview with CXO DX, Ludo Coumetou, Head of Sales, EAT RFID Business Unit, HID discusses the company’s latest product innovations, its regional growth momentum, and how it continues to bridge the gap between convenience and security in the digital era.

What have been the major highlights for HID at GITEX this year?
GITEX has been very good for us this year. We’ve had several meetings with our partners, seen strong activity in the region, and identified market opportunities. So, overall it’s been a very positive show for HID.
How are you helping enterprises accelerate their digital-transformation journeys?
We help enterprises accelerate their digital transformation by combining security, mobility, and simplicity. A big focus for us is enabling password-less authentication, which is removing the password in security systems. This is because passwords are one of the weakest points in cybersecurity. Moving away from them to a more secure form of identification improves both user experience and resilience. Our HID OMNIKEY platform make this transition easy for organizations, helping them strengthen access control and their security posture.

Could you elaborate on the new products you showcased at GITEX?
We launched our new HID OMNIKEY SE Plug, an ultra-compact, cable-less smart-card reader designed for password-based authentication. It supports use across mobile devices and laptops, ensuring that a company’s workforce has seamless access to workplace resources and systems from any location, whether employees are in the office or on the move.

What are some of the key challenges in the authentication market today?
Every organization needs to move toward stronger credentials and more secure ecosystems. Our goal is to support that transition through our portfolio of globally trusted solutions that provide trusted endpoints and secure credentials that form the foundation of a safer digital environment.

How significant is the Middle East for HID, and how are you expanding here?
The Middle East is one of our fastest-growing markets. We’re expanding our regional presence with dedicated resources based in Dubai to strengthen our partner ecosystem and build long-term relationships that sustain continued growth.

How do you balance user convenience with strong security?
We design all our products around the principle that strong security should not slow down user interaction. For example, our OMNIKEY devices are plug-and-play, delivering enterprise-grade authentication that protects systems and data while remaining intuitive and easy to use.

How does HID secure digital identities in multi-cloud environments?
As organizations move workloads to the cloud, HID provides the trusted hardware to secure and validate digital identities. Our readers are tamper-resistant and verified devices that establish a chain of trust across both physical and digital environments.

Which product lines are seeing higher demand in this region?
Our trusted contact and contactless readers, such as the OMNIKEY 5022 and 3121, continue to perform very well. However, we’re also seeing increased demand for our more advanced models like the 5427, which supports BLE and mobile credentials, reflecting the industry’s shift toward mobile identities.

Which verticals are driving adoption in the region?
We see strong uptake across healthcare, secure print, and smart-locker solutions. More than 60 partners integrate our embedded technologies, creating a seamless ‘street-to-seat’ experience, from parking to workstation log-ins, powered by HID’s ecosystem.

How is customer support structured for the Middle East?
We have dedicated sales resources based in Dubai, complemented by a robust network of long-term regional partners who support both resellers and end-users through our channel ecosystem.

What are HID’s key objectives for the coming months?
Our focus is on capitalizing on the investments we’ve made in the region, continuing to expand our market share, and deepening visibility through strong local engagement and partnerships.