THE CHALLENGE: OUTDATED SYSTEMS AND NO CONSISTENT CONTROL

As part of the Barracks 2030 initiative, the U.S. Marine Corps set out to modernize access control across barracks facilities worldwide. The goal was to improve safety, reduce administrative burden and create a system that could scale across a global footprint.

Before the initiative, access control systems across Marine Corps installations were inconsistent and often outdated. There was no standard approach, even within the same base. Many buildings relied on stand-alone residential or hotel-style locks that were not connected to a central system.

Barracks managers had to physically visit each door to update access permissions, change PIN codes, or reprogram cards. There were no centralized audit trail and limited visibility into who had access and when. Many of the locks did not meet modern durability standards, leading to frequent mechanical failures and higher maintenance costs.

As the Marine Corps prepared for long-term modernization, these challenges became increasingly difficult to manage at scale. Leaders needed a secure, centrally managed system that could support tens of thousands of doors, operate during network outages, and meet strict Department of Defense cybersecurity requirements.

THE SOLUTION: A SECURE, CENTRALIZED PLATFORM BUILT TO SCALE

The Marine Corps selected Honeywell’s LenelS2 OnGuard platform following a competitive evaluation led by the Navy’s NIWC Atlantic Shore C2ISR Department. The solution combined the OnGuard access control system with Assa Abloy Aperio wireless electronic locking hardware and was delivered by Honeywell-authorized partner TIAG.

OnGuard was deployed in AWS GovCloud, making it one of the first access control systems to achieve an Authority to Operate in a government cloud environment. This approach allowed the Marine Corps to manage access centrally from anywhere on its network while meeting federal security and compliance requirements.

At the door level, ANSI Grade 1 battery-powered wireless locks were installed on individual rooms, shared spaces and common areas. These locks are designed to operate securely even when power or network connectivity is unavailable. The Common Access Card serves as the primary credential, with piloted mobile credentials available as a backup when needed.

The system was built to scale globally, with the ability to support more than 70,000 locks without adding operational complexity.

FROM PILOT TO GLOBAL DEPLOYMENT

The project began with a pilot deployment at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina. The location was chosen due to its aging infrastructure and challenging environmental conditions. During the pilot, 159 electronic locks were installed and the OnGuard GovCloud environment was brought online.

The pilot met all technical and operational objectives ahead of schedule. Following its success, the Marine Corps awarded the first phase contracts and launched a phased rollout across additional sites.

Each deployment follows a standardized process. Teams conduct site and wireless surveys, install core infrastructure, and upgrade door hardware. Once a building is operational, barracks staff can enroll cardholders, assign access, and manage the system from a centralized interface.

This repeatable approach has allowed the program to scale efficiently while minimizing disruption at each location.

THE RESULTS: LOWER COSTS, BETTER VISIBILITY, FASTER OPERATIONS

The centralized system has significantly reduced the administrative burden on barracks staff. Access permissions can now be managed remotely and administrators have full visibility of access activity across installations.

From a cost perspective, the impact has been substantial. Program leaders estimate labor costs have been reduced by approximately 80% compared to legacy approaches. Material costs have dropped by an estimated 60% by eliminating extensive wiring and on-site equipment.

The standardized, enterprise-capable design has improved reliability and reduced maintenance issues. It has also accelerated onboarding, allowing Marines to receive access quickly as they move between barracks and installations with an established global profile.

In March 2026, the Barracks Access Control System program received the Disruptive Tech Award, recognizing its innovative approach to secure, large-scale modernization. The award reflects the value of a solution designed for long-term performance and mission readiness.

KEY BENEFITS AT A GLANCE

• Centralized access management across all participating installations
• Improved visibility, auditing and oversight
• Reduced labor and material costs
• Faster deployment and simpler operations
• Scalable architecture designed for global use
• Compliant, secure cloud-based platform approved for government use

A PLATFORM BUILT FOR THE FUTURE

By combining cloud-based management with durable wireless hardware, NIWC Atlantic, TIAG, and Honeywell teams delivered a solution that improves daily operations while supporting long-term growth. The platform enhances safety, strengthens cybersecurity and provides consistent experience across installations.

Just as importantly, it improves quality of life for Marines by making barracks access more reliable, more secure and easier to manage.