US access control manufacturer ProdataKey (PDK) has received industry recognition for its Red Reader V2, which has been named a winner in Security Today’s 2026 New Product of the Year Awards.
Announced on 6 October 2026, the award recognises the reader as part of a programme evaluating recently developed security technologies and their contribution to improving security applications.
The recognition comes as cloud-based access control continues to develop, with manufacturers introducing equipment designed to support connected security management and more flexible credential administration.
Recognition for access control technology
The Red Reader V2 forms part of ProdataKey’s portfolio of access control equipment, which includes readers, controllers, credentials and cloud-based security management software.
The manufacturer’s PDK.io platform allows authorised administrators to manage access permissions and oversee connected security equipment remotely.
This approach is intended to support organisations seeking to manage access across one or several properties without depending entirely on locally administered security systems.
Security Today’s New Product of the Year Awards recognise product development across different categories of electronic security technology.
PDK announced that the Red Reader V2 had been selected as a 2026 winner, adding industry recognition to the company’s access control hardware portfolio.
The announcement is an award rather than a new product launch. It does not itself establish new technical capabilities, deployment figures or customer contracts.
Nevertheless, the recognition provides an opportunity to examine the role that modern access readers play in integrated security installations.
Readers are an important interface between users and the wider access control system, communicating credential information to equipment responsible for determining whether entry should be permitted.
Their selection must therefore be considered alongside controllers, credential technologies, software and physical installation requirements.
Considerations for security specifiers
For consultants and systems integrators, product awards can help identify equipment for further evaluation, although they should not replace detailed technical assessment.
Access control readers must be selected according to the requirements of each installation, including credential compatibility, operating environment, connectivity and integration with existing systems.
Organisations considering cloud-managed access control must also assess cybersecurity, account administration, service availability and the arrangements for maintaining equipment throughout its operational life.
The ability to manage permissions across multiple sites can provide benefits for facilities teams, particularly where organisations operate distributed property portfolios.
However, successful deployments depend on suitable system architecture and consistent administration rather than any single component.
For installers, equipment compatibility and ongoing manufacturer support remain important factors when selecting hardware for long-term use.
The recognition of the Red Reader V2 illustrates continuing product development within the access control market as manufacturers refine equipment intended to work alongside cloud-based management platforms.
For security buyers, the announcement provides another product to consider when reviewing reader options for new installations or access control upgrades.
