Genetec Inc. has unveiled its sixth annual State of Physical Security report, drawing insights from over 7,300 professionals worldwide in physical security.
The study illustrates an expanding strategic role for physical security within organisations, marked by increased departmental collaboration and interest in technologies that bolster operational awareness and decision-making capabilities.
Physical security’s evolving role
The report sheds light on a shift in how physical security systems are perceived, moving beyond role
The report sheds light on a transformation in how physical security systems are perceived, moving beyond their traditional protective role to becoming integral to enterprise operations, influencing broader organisational objectives.
"As it becomes more tightly woven into the broader fabric of the enterprise, security is emerging as a genuine enabler of business outcomes—helping organisations work more cohesively, respond more effectively, and stay focused on long-term goals," commented Christian Morin, Vice President of Product Engineering at Genetec Inc.
The drive towards unified systems
Organisations are increasingly prioritising the modernisation of their security systems, driven by the need for greater integration and collaboration in business decision-making.
More than 70% of respondents are utilising unified or integrated systems, with 60% identifying the integration of new capabilities as a primary reason for replacing outdated technology. Additionally, 51% cite access to new features as a key incentive, highlighting the trend towards systems that deliver operational insights and maximise existing investments.
Stability in vendor selection
The emphasis is on choosing mates who offer continuity and support for prolonged modernisation efforts
Vendor stability is identified as a crucial factor in the selection process, with 73% of end users highlighting the importance of long-term viability and trustworthiness in manufacturers.
This aspect outranks product performance and price, which are cited by 45% and 43% of respondents, respectively. The emphasis is on choosing partners who offer continuity and support for prolonged modernisation efforts.
AI and security infrastructure developments
The report indicates a rising interest in AI, with it being a top priority for 2026 projects, alongside access control and video surveillance. End users have doubled their interest in adopting AI since last year, seeking benefits in alarm navigation, investigative support, and noise reduction.
However, about 70% express reservations about AI implementation, particularly regarding data usage and understanding AI systems, underscoring the need for vendor guidance.
Towards a hybrid cloud future
Advantages cited include automatic updates, simpler deployments, and easier maintenance
The hybrid cloud emerges as a preferred choice for future security infrastructure. Advantages cited include automatic updates, simpler deployments, and easier maintenance.
Respondents expect continued cloud adoption through 2026, with the flexibility to decide which components remain onsite and which shift to the cloud.
Survey insights and methodology
The Genetec report also forecasts priorities for 2026, emphasising modernising access control, enhancing cybersecurity, and expanding the utilisation of analytics. Comprehensive regional findings and forecasts offer strategic guidance for organisations planning future initiatives.
The survey, conducted from August 18 to September 15, 2025, included responses from a diverse pool of security professionals across six global regions, covering end users, channel partners, consultants, and manufacturers.
Genetec Inc., the pioneer in enterprise physical security software, now released its sixth annual State of Physical Security report. Based on insights from over 7,300 physical security pioneers worldwide (including end users, channel partners, systems integrators, and consultants), the report shows that physical security is playing a broader strategic role within organisations.
The findings highlight closer collaboration across departments and greater interest in technologies that support better operational awareness and decision-making.
Physical security is evolving from protection to empowering business outcomes
The report shows a shift in how physical security systems are deployed and valued. They are no longer viewed only as a protection layer, and instead, are becoming an enterprise function that contributes to broader organisational goals.
“As it becomes more tightly woven into the broader fabric of the enterprise, security is emerging as a genuine enabler of business outcomes—helping organisations work more cohesively, respond more effectively, and stay focused on long-term goals,” said Christian Morin, Vice President of Product Engineering at Genetec Inc.
Modernisation is accelerating as demand for unified systems grows
Survey findings indicate that organisations are prioritising modernisation of their physical security systems to support this shift toward stronger collaboration and business decision-making. More than 70% of respondents are using unified or integrated systems, and 60% say their main motivation for replacing legacy technology is to integrate new capabilities.
Fifty-one percent cite access to new features as another key driver. These trends reflect a growing interest in cross-functional systems that deliver operational insight and help teams achieve more with their existing investments.
Long-term vendor stability is becoming a key selection factor
Survey findings show that organisations place strong importance on choosing manufacturers they consider stable and trustworthy. Seventy-three percent of end users say the long-term viability and stability of the vendor is a key factor when evaluating solutions, while product performance and price indicators followed behind, ranked at 45% and 43%, respectively.
This points to a clear preference for partners who can provide continuity, support multi-year modernisation efforts, and deliver reliable product development as systems evolve.
Interest in AI is rising but teams want practical benefits
AI is an area of growing focus. For the first time, AI ranked alongside access control and video surveillance as a top project priority for 2026. Interest in adopting AI has more than doubled among end users since last year’s report. They see value in technology that helps navigate alarms, support investigations, and reduce noise in busy environments.
At the same time, 70% express concerns about how AI systems are designed and implemented, specifically around data use and understanding how AI works, reinforcing the need for clear guidance from vendors.
Hybrid cloud is preferred, and defines the future of security infrastructure
Cloud is playing a stronger role in how security infrastructure is designed and maintained. End users identify automatic updates, ease of deployment, and simpler maintenance as key benefits.
Respondents expect continued cloud adoption in 2026, supported by the flexibility to choose which workloads remain on premises and which move to the cloud.
2026 Forecast
The report also provides insights into priorities for 2026, including access control modernisation, cybersecurity initiatives, and the growing use of analytics.
It also offers regional findings and additional forecasts to help organisations plan their next steps.
Survey methodology
The report is based on survey responses from 7,368 physical security professionals across six global regions (USA and Canada; Latin America and the Caribbean; Europe; Asia-Pacific; Middle East and Africa; and Australia and New Zealand). Participants included end users, channel partners, consultants, and manufacturers from organisations of all sizes and industries.
The survey was conducted between August 18 and September 15, 2025, and only fully completed responses were included in the analysis.
