Kwema Won Outstanding Security Product Award
The Bentonville-based firm was recognized for its wearable safety technology on September 13 in Atlanta.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Cybersecurity
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Kwema received the Outstanding New Security Product Award for its Smart Badge Reel, a device designed to address workplace violence in healthcare settings. The award was presented at the 11th annual U.S. OSPAs competition in Atlanta on September 13, 2026.
Why it matters
The company produces safety technology specifically for healthcare professionals facing rising instances of workplace violence. By providing a discreet way to alert security, the tool aims to improve the work environment for medical staff.
The Smart Badge Reel features a hidden button that transmits a silent alarm and user location after being held for three seconds. The device provides haptic feedback, vibrating to confirm the alarm and location have been successfully transmitted.
The players
Kwema
This is a technology company that develops wearable safety devices to mitigate workplace violence for healthcare staff.
Integris Health
This health system served as a testing site for the safety technology, reporting significant improvements in staff sentiment.
Kaiser Permanente
This is one of the major health systems that has signed a contract to utilize Kwema's safety technology.
Lee Health
This is a large health system based in Florida that has entered into a contract to deploy Kwema security solutions.
The details
The technology allows staff to trigger emergency alerts without escalating dangerous situations. Kwema recently relocated its corporate headquarters to Bentonville from St. Louis to support its expanding operations.
Timeline
September 13, 2026: The award was announced at the Global Security Exchange in Atlanta.
January 2027: Kwema will compete in the global OSPAs.
The Tech Race
This development follows the trends identified in the 2022 Press Ganey workplace assault analysis regarding violence against healthcare workers. The shift toward wearable, discreet security tech positions Kwema against legacy hardware providers in the hospital safety market.
For healthcare staff, this technology provides a portable, silent tool that can reduce response times during emergency situations. The system allows users to signal for help without alerting potential aggressors, potentially preventing further harm.
The takeaway
Wearable safety devices are increasingly becoming a standard component of institutional workplace security strategies. As these tools continue to evolve, they provide measurable improvements to employee morale and safety in high-risk environments.
What happens next
Kwema is scheduled to compete in the global OSPAs in January 2027 and plans to reach a deployment threshold of over 10,000 staff members.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in this field at the Cybersecurity section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
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