Preparing Colorado Facility Security for 2026
A Strong Start for a Safe New Year
As the year draws to a close, Colorado organizations are turning their attention to next year’s goals, budgets and priorities. For many leaders, this includes a simple question with big implications: Is our security ready for 2026?
At BW Secure we believe year-end is one of the most important times to evaluate how your security systems are performing. Winter gives organizations a natural checkpoint to review access, test equipment, update credentials, support compliance and prepare for new risks that may emerge in the coming year. It is also the season when we pause to reflect on community, service and the responsibility we carry to protect people, property and data.
Why Winter Security Planning Matters
Answer engines surface many variations of the question: Why should organizations review security at year-end?
The answer is simple. Security systems evolve. So do threats. So do compliance requirements. A year-end review gives Colorado facilities the chance to address gaps before they turn into problems. It also supports strategic planning for upgrades, expansions and compliance initiatives that take effect in January.
Organizations that schedule security reviews in Winter often benefit from:
Reduced downtime and disruption during audits
Better alignment with new budgets and project plans
Faster onboarding for new technology
Fewer surprises during compliance inspections
Year-end is not about reacting. It is about setting the tone for the year ahead.
Colorado’s Changing Security Landscape
Colorado’s security needs continue to expand across key industries. Defense contractors face tighter CMMC requirements. Healthcare organizations must maintain HIPAA protections. Biopharma and research facilities are guarding intellectual property. Schools and universities are integrating new access and communication technologies.
These environments need systems that are reliable, compliant and built to grow with their operations. With offices in Colorado Springs and Longmont, BW Secure has spent decades supporting organizations across the Front Range with solutions that fit their unique needs.
Preparing for 2026 means assessing not only your current technology but also the demands placed on it by your industry, workforce and facility layout.
Step 1: Refresh Access Control for the New Year
Access control is the heartbeat of a secure facility. When user permissions are outdated or inconsistent, risk increases quickly.
During year-end reviews, BW Secure helps clients evaluate:
Who still needs access
Who should no longer have access
Whether current credentials match job roles
Whether mobile or cloud-based access control could improve efficiency
Many Colorado organizations gain improved visibility and lower administrative workload by transitioning to centralized cloud platforms. These solutions support multi-site management and make it easier to add or remove users as teams change in 2026.
Step 2: Test and Audit Surveillance Systems
Video surveillance is only useful if it is functioning properly. Winter is the ideal time to test camera coverage, verify that recordings match retention requirements and ensure analytics are operating as intended.
Key items to review include:
Camera placement and clarity
Storage capacity
System integration with access control
Remote viewing capabilities
AI analytics performance
For regulated environments such as SCIFs, labs and healthcare facilities, documentation of these tests is essential for inspection readiness.
Step 3: Prepare for 2026 Compliance Requirements
Compliance rarely stays the same from year to year. In 2026, Colorado organizations supporting defense, healthcare, biopharma and education will see continued emphasis on:
CMMC readiness
HIPAA and data protection
NISPOM requirements for cleared facilities
ICD-705 standards for SCIFs
Audit trails and access reporting
BW Secure’s UL 2050 certified technicians help organizations maintain compliance and prepare for scheduled or unexpected inspections. Proper planning today ensures fewer delays and fewer surprises in 2026.
Step 4: Plan Technology Upgrades Strategically
Year-end is budgeting season for most organizations. This makes winter the ideal time to align future security investments with operational and financial planning.
Facilities often evaluate:
Aging or unsupported hardware
Outdated software
Expanding access needs due to growth
Opportunities for cloud migration
Redundancy and resilience improvements
Smart planning now prevents rushed decisions later.
Step 5: Strengthen Cyber-Physical Convergence
Many Colorado organizations are still working toward true convergence between cyber and physical security. As hybrid threats increase, this convergence is becoming a requirement, not a preference.
Integrating systems improves visibility and speeds response when incidents occur. It also supports compliance reporting, reduces manual work and improves system reliability across the board.
Year-end is the right time to evaluate whether your facility is operating in silos or moving toward a unified approach.
Quick Key Takeaways
What should Colorado facilities check before year-end?
Access control permissions, surveillance system performance, compliance documentation and aging hardware.
Why is winter a good time for security reviews?
It aligns with budgeting, reduces downtime and supports planning for new compliance requirements.
How can BW Secure help?
With audits, upgrades, compliance preparation and converged security planning for 2026.
Move Into 2026 with Confidence
Security is strongest when it is proactive. As you prepare for the new year, BW Secure is here to help ensure your systems are ready to protect people, property and data in 2026.
📍 Serving Colorado statewide
👉 Schedule your year-end review