On World Cloud Security Day, April 3, Genetec Inc., a prominent figure in enterprise physical security software, has brought attention to a gap between cloud adoption practices and the governance needs of large enterprises. The emphasis is on how large organizations should integrate cloud solutions with an eye towards governance, risk management, and operational requirements.
These enterprises often span numerous locations, confront stringent regulations, and depend on infrastructure that needs to function efficiently for extended periods. Simplistic transitions to the cloud can neglect these operational realities, potentially hampering flexibility and long-term resilience.
Enterprise Cloud Adoption Models
According to Francis Lachance, Senior Director, Product at Genetec Inc., "Enterprise physical security seldom operates within a single deployment model, and cloud strategies must reflect that reality."
Lachance highlights that organizations are increasingly operating in hybrid environments—combinations of cloud, on-premises, and edge systems. These systems must work seamlessly to sustain governance, visibility, and control over infrastructures designed for longevity.
Insights from Genetec's Physical Security Survey
Key reasons cited for embracing hybrid-cloud environments include scalability, noted by 39% of enterprises
Genetec's recent 2026 State of Physical Security Survey, which gathered insights from over 7,300 participants, reveals that hybrid-cloud adoption is a strategic design choice for operational longevity. Key reasons cited for embracing hybrid-cloud environments include scalability, noted by 39% of enterprises, and redundancy, cited by 38%, highlighting a focus on long-term resilience and continuity.
Continuing to discuss the topic, Lachance mentioned, "For enterprises, cloud is an operating model that must withstand ongoing operational, regulatory, and threat pressures." The objective isn't to go fully cloud-based but to integrate cloud solutions that maintain governance and ensure continuity over time. To facilitate secure and resilient cloud adoption, Genetec has outlined four critical priorities:
Prioritize Governance
Cloud decisions at the enterprise level should prioritize accountability over convenience. From the outset, organizations need to address cybersecurity, compliance, and oversight requirements rather than adding these considerations later.
Hybrid Environments Design
Enterprise cloud adoption occurs gradually, not simultaneously. Most organizations operate cloud, on-premises, and edge systems in tandem, often for prolonged durations. Embracing hybrid environments enables modernization at a strategic pace while ensuring control over critical infrastructure and sensitive data.
Cloud as an Operating Model
Cloud deployments should be seen as enhancing visibility and control across physical security systems, rather than entirely replacing existing infrastructures. The focus should be on integrating cloud capabilities into broader environments without dictating uniform deployment models.
Long-term Resilience
Physical security infrastructures are anticipated to remain functional for many years, even during challenges such as network outages or economic shifts. Architectures that promote autonomous operation and graceful degradation across cloud, on-premises, and edge systems help organizations sustain continuity, adhere to regulatory requirements, and manage evolving risks without interruption.
