Genetec Inc. has unveiled its latest State of Physical Security report, providing insights gathered through the responses of over 7,300 professionals in the physical security sector.
This year's findings reveal that physical security is expanding its role within organizations by becoming an integral part of strategic decision-making.
Shifting Role of Physical Security
The report illustrates how physical security systems are transitioning from being viewed merely as protective
The report illustrates how physical security systems are transitioning from being viewed merely as protective measures to becoming essential elements of enterprise operations. This evolution is enhancing their value within organizations.
Christian Morin, Vice President of Product Engineering at Genetec Inc., noted, “As it becomes more tightly woven into the broader fabric of the enterprise, security is emerging as a genuine enabler of business outcomes—helping organizations work more cohesively, respond more effectively, and stay focused on long-term goals.”
Growing Demand for Modernized Systems
There is an increasing emphasis on modernizing physical security systems to support collaboration and improved decision-making. More than 70% of surveyed organizations are adopting integrated systems, with 60% citing the integration of new capabilities as a primary motivation for updating legacy technology.
Furthermore, 51% of respondents are driven by the access to new features, underscoring the demand for systems that offer operational insights and larger returns on existing investments.
Vendor Stability as a Key Consideration
The survey also highlights that the long-term stability of vendors is a crucial consideration for organizations
The survey also highlights that the long-term stability of vendors is a crucial consideration for organizations, with 73% of end users prioritizing this factor over product performance and pricing, which rank at 45% and 43% respectively.
This trend reflects a preference for reliable partners capable of supporting ongoing modernization efforts and providing consistent product development.
Embracing AI with Caution
Interest in artificial intelligence (AI) is on the rise, with AI ranking high alongside access control and video surveillance as priorities for 2026. The adoption of AI has more than doubled among end users compared to the previous year, as they seek practical applications such as alarm management, investigation support, and noise reduction in busy environments.
However, 70% of respondents express concerns about data use and the implementation of AI systems, indicating a need for clear vendor guidance.
The Rise of Hybrid Cloud Solutions
Hybrid cloud solutions are increasingly being favored for security infrastructure, offering benefits
Hybrid cloud solutions are increasingly being favored for security infrastructure, offering benefits like automatic updates, convenient deployment, and simplified maintenance.
Respondents anticipate a continued shift towards cloud adoption by 2026, valuing the flexibility it provides in determining which operations remain on premises and which transition to the cloud.
Looking to 2026
Genetec's report offers a glimpse into future priorities such as modernizing access control systems, enhancing cybersecurity measures, and utilizing analytics more extensively. It also details regional insights to help organizations strategically plan for the future.
Survey Background
The findings are based on the responses of 7,368 professionals within the physical security landscape, collected from regions including the USA and Canada; Latin America and the Caribbean; Europe; Asia-Pacific; the Middle East and Africa; and Australia and New Zealand.
Responses, gathered between August 18 and September 15, 2025, included participants such as end users, channel partners, consultants, and manufacturers across various industries and organization sizes.
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 organizations.
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 organizational 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 organizations work more cohesively, respond more effectively, and stay focused on long-term goals,” said Christian Morin, Vice President of Product Engineering at Genetec Inc.
Modernization is accelerating as demand for unified systems grows
Survey findings indicate that organizations are prioritizing modernization 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 organizations 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 modernization 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 modernization, cybersecurity initiatives, and the growing use of analytics.
It also offers regional findings and additional forecasts to help organizations 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 organizations 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.
