Verkada has released its 2026 State of Cloud Physical Security report, highlighting significant disparities between organizations utilizing cloud-based security systems and those still relying on on-premise solutions. The report, which draws on responses from over 2,700 IT and physical security leaders across ten global markets, indicates a marked increase in AI usage among cloud-based security users.
The survey reveals that organizations with cloud-based physical security systems are employing AI at a rate 2.6 times higher than those with traditional on-premise systems. Although 39% of organizations are currently testing AI integrations, as the trend towards AI adoption grows, the disparity between organizations updating their infrastructure and those maintaining older models is expected to widen.
Strategic Shift Towards Cloud Management
In acknowledgment of this trend, a substantial 94% of organizations that haven't yet fully transitioned to cloud management are in the process of doing so or planning their shift. This reflects a strategic move towards modernizing their security operations in line with contemporary technological advancements.
The adoption of AI within the realm of physical security is widespread yet progressing in gradual phases. While 80% of leaders report engagement with AI in their security practices, 41% are actively implementing it, suggesting that complete AI integration is underway but advancing at varied paces across different organizations.
Additionally, organizations are increasingly recognizing the value of video security investments beyond traditional safety measures. Many report the application of video security in enhancing overall operational safety, with specific uses in workplace health and safety compliance, operational efficiency, and optimizing space utilization.
