Jeremy Fromm of Mercury Security sat down with us to discuss his upcoming exclusive webinar exploring access control and cybersecurity. To learn more about the webinar, sponsored by Mercury Security, on 28 October or to register, go here.
Q: How did you become interested in cybersecurity and end-to-end encryption?
A: My interest in cybersecurity and end-to-end encryption grew out of my computer networking background at RIT and my early career in tech support at LenelS2. I spent countless hours talking with end users about their security challenges, and I quickly realized how vulnerable many systems really were. What struck me most was how easy it was to break technologies like Prox and Wiegand with simple, off-the-shelf tools. That realization drove my passion for stronger, modern security practices and a focus on encryption from the ground up.
Q: What advice would you give security professionals interested in this topic?
A: Focus on the fundamentals first. Understand how data moves across a network and how encryption protects it in transit and at rest. Do not overlook the history of physical access control either. Seeing how easily outdated technologies like Prox and Wiegand can be compromised with off-the-shelf tools really highlights why modern encryption matters. My advice is to stay curious, ask “how could this be broken,” and keep learning. The threats evolve, but so do the tools we have to secure against them.
Q: Why should security professionals have cybersecurity and end-to-end encryption on their radar?
A: IT and OT are converging faster than ever, and if we do not learn the language of cybersecurity we will be left behind. End users are demanding stronger protections, IT departments are demanding it, and security professionals need to demand it too. Encryption is not just a technical detail; it is a leadership opportunity. By embracing cybersecurity and end-to-end encryption, security professionals can position themselves as trusted partners in this new landscape and show that our industry is ready to lead the way.
Jeremy Fromm is the Evangelist for Mercury Security, the global leader in open-architecture OEM access control hardware. With close to 20 years of experience in the security industry—including roles in product management, technical support, and enterprise business development—Jeremy brings a deep, hands-on understanding of the evolving physical security landscape.
