As the access control industry grapples with rising breach costs and the limitations of proprietary systems, few voices carry as much authority about the changing landscape as Jeff Groom, Director of AI and Integrations at Acre Security. With years of security industry experience and oversight of 75+ technology integrations, Groom has witnessed firsthand both the problems plaguing traditional access control and the solutions emerging through universal standards.

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In this candid conversation, Groom shares why Acre Security joined the LEAF Community, how organizations can break free from vendor constraints, and what the future holds for access control interoperability. His insights reveal not just the technical possibilities of open standards, but the business imperatives driving their adoption.

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From the University of Georgia's successful LEAF implementation to the strategic decisions facing every security leader, this interview provides an insider's perspective on the revolution reshaping access control—and why the time for change is now.

Will you introduce yourself and share your role and company? 

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I'm Jeff Groom, Director of AI and Integrations at Acre Security. I've been in the security industry for 6 years, focusing on applied AI products for access control and our One Acre platform, as well as strategic integrations that promote innovative features in our cloud native access control product. 

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At Acre Security, we've been unifying the security industry since 2012 — but for us, unification has always meant delivering real value to our customers. For integrators, that means faster deployments and expanded service offerings. For end users, it means freedom from vendor lock-in and protection of their technology investments. For partners, it means joining an ecosystem where innovation thrives. We're building a unified platform where access, intrusion, and visitor management work as fully integrated business applications. Our solutions respect your present, connect your past, and power your future. 

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What inspired your organization to join the LEAF Community? 

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LEAF represents exactly what our customers have been asking for — true interoperability without compromise. When integrators tell us they're tired of managing multiple proprietary systems, when end users express frustration about being locked into single vendors, when partners seek open platforms to innovate upon — LEAF is the answer. This isn't driven by a single manufacturer's agenda but by a community committed to solving real industry problems. We see LEAF as a movement that finally gives organizations the freedom and flexibility they deserve in their security choices. 

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What first sparked the conversation about joining the LEAF Community within your organization?

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The conversation sparked when we recognized a pivotal opportunity: Acre could help lead the industry's shift toward open standards, not just follow it. Our product roadmap evaluation showed that LEAF-compliant products would unlock unprecedented value for our customers — one credential working across entire ecosystems, simplified integrations, and future-proof investments. LEAF's elimination of proprietary constraints isn't just a technical advancement; it's an enablement platform for scalable interoperability that our customers desperately need.

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Who was involved in the decision to join LEAF, and what internal conversations or considerations helped move it forward?

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Our executive team and product leadership drove this decision with one clear mandate: Acre must help shape the future of security, not react to it. The conversation wasn't about whether to join, but how to maximize our contribution. We're not seeking just a seat at the table — we're here to lead the conversation about where open security standards need to go. This positions Acre as the thought leader our customers expect in unified, modular, and open security solutions. 

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Why did your organization ultimately decide to join the LEAF Community? What value did you see?

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We joined LEAF to transform the industry's approach to identity — moving beyond basic access control to trust-chain enabled identity management. The value is clear: First, Acre becomes an innovation leader, building services that make LEAF better for everyone. Second, our customers gain access to an open ecosystem that protects their investments. Third, we're part of a community committed to the security, compliance, and interoperability that enterprises demand. This isn't about following standards — it's about setting them.

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What challenges are you seeing in the industry today, and how do you think the LEAF model helps address them?

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Today's enterprises face a perfect storm: vendor lock-in that inflates costs, incompatible systems that create security gaps, and millions of vulnerable credentials exposing them to breaches. Security teams are making decade-long infrastructure decisions right now.  LEAF solves this by delivering what we would call “true interoperability" at the credential level that scales across entire organizations. One LEAF credential can unlock doors, enable applications, and secure identities across any compliant system. This opens possibilities beyond basic access control into comprehensive identity management.

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How do you see your organization contributing to LEAF's mission in the year ahead?

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Acre will drive LEAF forward in three critical ways. First, we're expanding interoperability beyond credentials to complete identity management solutions — showing what's possible when systems truly work together. Second, we're sharing best practices from our 75+ technology integrations to accelerate the entire ecosystem's growth. Third, we're leading education initiatives that help integrators and end users understand why open standards matter for their bottom line. We're not just participants — we're architects of LEAF's future.

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What advice would you give to others in the industry considering LEAF membership?

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Shape the future or be shaped by it — that's the choice. For integrators, LEAF means new revenue streams and simplified deployments that your customers will love. For  manufacturers, it's instant access to a growing ecosystem without massive R&D investments. For end users, it's finally having the freedom to choose best-of-breed solutions without starting over. 

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The power of LEAF is already proven in real deployments. The University of Georgia implemented LEAF architecture for their OneCard system, enabling credentials to interoperate seamlessly across campus devices and applications — from vending machines and meal plans to printing services and bookstore access, with transit and event access on the horizon. This is the transformation organizations experience with LEAF — simplified integration, reduced complexity, and the ability to add new applications without replacing existing infrastructure. When one credential can work across multiple systems and vendors, it fundamentally changes how security ecosystems operate. 

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The industry is at an inflection point. LEAF represents the unified, modular, and open future where security solutions enhance rather than constrain your operations. Join us in building it.