Genetec Inc. has published significant insights from its 2026 State of Physical Security Report, focusing on public safety.
The report, which surveyed physical security end users, channel partners, systems integrators, and consultants worldwide, reveals that North American public safety professionals are emphasizing officer safety, enhanced situational awareness, and quicker response times to meet growing demands amid limited staffing resources.
Increased Situational Awareness
Public safety agencies are heavily leveraging physical security data to ensure the safety of officers and enhance operational efficiency. Nearly 90% of respondents indicated they use security data to protect officers, and 81% rely on it for improving real-time situational awareness and fostering inter-agency collaboration. Additionally, 81% highlighted the use of such data in managing public safety emergencies, underscoring the critical need for integrated data solutions in urgent situations.
The collection and sharing of digital evidence continue to be vital, with 78% of respondents acknowledging that it expedites investigative processes. These trends illustrate a move toward more interconnected and intelligence-driven public safety operations.
Automating Routine Tasks
Public safety agencies are heavily leveraging physical security data to ensure the safety of officers
“Public safety agencies are under increasing pressure to do more with fewer resources,” stated Phil Malenscik, Vertical Account Manager, Public Sector at Genetec Inc. “By bringing together physical security data from multiple systems, officers can see the full picture more quickly, respond faster, and stay safer on the job. At the same time, automating routine tasks gives teams more time to focus on protecting their communities and making decisions that really matter.”
When evaluating justifications for investing in physical security, increased officer safety emerged as the top priority for 63% of participants. This was followed by faster response times (52%) and improved situational awareness (48%), indicating that agencies favor a data-driven approach to security investments.
Physical Security Investments
Furthermore, 41% of respondents valued acceleration of investigations, while 44% highlighted the importance of reducing time to incident resolution, emphasizing the need for streamlined workflows and efficient access to vital information in incident management.
The primary obstacle for public safety organizations remains workforce limitations, with 44% of respondents pointing to staff shortages and the necessity to achieve more with less. Secondary challenges included maintaining officer safety (16%) and conducting effective investigations using technologies like automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) and video (12%). These hurdles are stimulating interest in solutions that enhance information sharing, reduce investigation workloads, and maintain operational safety and efficiency.
