The Security Industry Association (SIA) and HID have collaborated to ensure that secure communication configuration for SIA Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) Transparent Mode is now available to the entire security industry.
This move removes previous limitations tied to intellectual property, enabling broader adoption and innovation across access control systems.
Expanding Open Standards In Access Control
SIA OSDP is an industry-standard communication protocol designed to improve interoperability among access control and security devices. Transparent Mode enhances this by enabling secure communication channels while allowing application-specific data to pass between devices.
Previously, Transparent Mode functionality was subject to U.S. patents held by HID and other intellectual property rights. HID has now confirmed that these patents will not restrict implementation in OSDP-compliant solutions, making the feature openly accessible.
“Open standards drive innovation, interoperability and scalable deployment across the security industry, and Transparency Mode is integral to the secure, interoperable device communication framework of OSDP,” said Don Erickson, CEO of SIA.
“SIA applauds HID for its commitment to the continued adoption and development of OSDP and its longstanding support for the industry and open standards—enabling manufacturers, integrators and end users to implement solutions with confidence.”
Driving Industry Adoption And Innovation
SIA OSDP was approved as an international standard by the International Electrotechnical Commission in May 2020 and published as IEC 60839-11-5. The latest version, OSDP v2.2.2, was released in October 2024, reflecting ongoing updates to maintain its leadership in secure access control communications.
The protocol is already widely adopted by leading manufacturers, and SIA continues to encourage its use—particularly for high-security environments such as government applications. OSDP supports key requirements like PKI for FICAM, making it well-suited for federal and critical infrastructure deployments.
A key focus of the developing SIA EU Advisory Board will be to further promote OSDP adoption across Europe.
Industry Collaboration And Standards Development
The SIA OSDP Technical Subcommittee plays a central role in advancing the standard. It is led by Constantine Tremouliaris of ASSA ABLOY and Jon Uren of Cypress Integration Solutions.
This group consists of manufacturers, integrators, and end users working collaboratively to refine and expand the OSDP standard, ensuring it meets evolving industry needs.
The Security Industry Association is a leading global trade association representing over 1,600 companies and thousands of security professionals. It advances industry interests through policy advocacy, open standards development, education, and global collaboration, while also organizing major events and initiatives that connect security leaders worldwide.
Internal Link URLs
https://security.world/security-technology
https://security.world/enterprise-security
External Links URLs
https://www.securityindustry.org
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is SIA OSDP?
SIA OSDP is an open communication protocol that improves interoperability and security in access control systems.
2. What is Transparent Mode in OSDP?
It is a feature that allows secure communication channels while enabling application-specific data exchange between devices.
3. What changed with HID’s decision?
HID confirmed that its patents will not restrict the use of Transparent Mode, making it openly accessible.
4. Why is this important for the security industry?
It encourages innovation, reduces barriers, and improves interoperability across access control solutions.
5. Where is OSDP commonly used?
It is widely used in enterprise, government, and high-security environments.