How do you modernise building access for a company that’s been innovating for more than two centuries? For BNY, a global financial services company that has been in business for 241 years, the answer began with a simple question: What do employees really want?
The feedback was clear. Staff were enthusiastic about mobile access, viewing it as a natural step towards a more flexible, technology-driven workplace. The concept of replacing physical ID badges with digital credentials appealed to teams across the organisation – especially the idea of entering offices with just an iPhone or Apple Watch.
“The whole idea of people navigating our facilities globally – it just brings a smile to your face,” said Ken Damstrom, Global Head of Corporate Security at BNY. “But it really brings a smile to their face because when they come to work with their iPhone, they don’t necessarily need to bring their physical ID badge. How powerful is that?”
Building the right partnership
To bring this transformation to life, BNY turned to SwiftConnect, a connected access network provider, and HID, a global leader in secure identity solutions. Selecting experienced partners was essential, both for the technical capabilities and the reliability they offered.
The solution combined Employee Badge in Apple Wallet with HID’s mobile-enabled Signo readers and SwiftConnect’s connected access network – a robust foundation for secure, seamless access across BNY’s facilities.
How does it work
At the core of BNY’s new access system are two complementary technologies. Employee Badge in Apple Wallet, paired with HID’s Signo readers, allows employees and visitors to unlock doors, turnstiles, and elevators with a quick tap of their iPhone or Apple Watch. It’s a fast, intuitive process that removes the need for physical cards altogether.
SwiftConnect integrates identity and access management into one cohesive experience, linking corporate systems and physical spaces within a unified network. It supports on-demand mobile credentials while optimising traditional methods such as fobs and cards, reducing friction at every touchpoint.
“What we learned by partnering with SwiftConnect and HID was that Employee Badge in Apple Wallet was absolutely ready for prime time,” said Damstrom. “We’ve had nothing but confidence in rolling it out across our organisation.”
Turning mobile access into reality
With the system fully tested and partner support in place, BNY launched the solution at its New York headquarters before expanding to offices in Boston, London, and India. The goal is full global deployment – covering 110 locations in 35 countries.
No matter where employees are based, the experience remains consistent. With Express Mode enabled, there’s no need to unlock the device before entry – and even if an iPhone runs out of power, Power Reserve mode ensures access still works.
Privacy and security remain central to the design. Data linked to Employee Badge in Apple Wallet is never shared with Apple or stored on Apple servers. If a device is lost, the Find My app allows users to immediately lock and locate it. Badges remain securely stored on personal devices, benefiting from the same encryption and privacy safeguards that underpin Apple technology.
“We wanted consistency across our real estate portfolio,” explained Dafna Alsheh, Global Head of Workplace Experience & Design at BNY. “Whether you’re in New York, Lake Mary or London, you know how to access the site because you know how to use Employee Badge in Apple Wallet.”
A seamless experience, globally
Together, BNY, HID and SwiftConnect have created a system that blends convenience with security, giving employees a unified experience that feels both modern and effortless.
“One of the things that makes Employee Badge in Apple Wallet so impactful is that it works the same way at work as it does when you’re at the store or on the subway; there’s nothing new to learn,” said Alsheh. “People’s first reaction is, ‘wow, this just works.’ Then they try it with their Apple Watch and say, ‘this is magic.’”