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This specialist article examines current trends and challenges in physical security and highlights how the ongoing integration of various technologies not only improves the protection of people and assets, but also creates new potential for operational efficiency and resilience. A forward-looking perspective reveals that digital networking is becoming the central driving force for innovation and sustainable security strategies.
Trends in Physical Security
For many years now, the “State of Physical Security” report by Genetec has provided a survey-based overview of how technological developments are redefining the understanding and role of physical security. The results of the 2026 report make it clear that today, physical security is no longer seen merely as a protective measure for people and assets, but increasingly as a company-wide function that enhances resilience and creates measurable added value.
The most important findings of this year’s report can be summarised as follows:
Key Findings of the Report
- Interest in AI technologies among end users has doubled. This has resulted in increased demand for advanced analytics and automation tools that boost operational efficiency.
- Hybrid cloud models are gaining importance as organisations look for flexible and scalable solutions.
- Challenges in staffing remain, but are increasingly being addressed through targeted training measures and automation to close competency gaps.
- Collaboration between IT, security officers and solution providers – including channel partners and manufacturers – is crucial for managing new risks, improving decision-making processes, and transforming security data into actionable insights.
Even though it should be noted that such surveys are typically answered by technologically minded and progressive security officers, it is clear that physical security technologies are evolving from isolated solutions into integrated systems. The survey highlights that previously separate areas such as video surveillance and access control are now increasingly interconnected in order to boost operator efficiency.
This development includes not only core systems but also visualisation and optimisation tools that enhance operational performance. The perceived value of such systems is increasingly measured by how effectively they contribute to achieving company goals. Enhanced functions such as video analytics, intrusion detection, and perimeter protection are expected to become standard features in future, rather than optional add-ons.
A Question of Integration
The 2026 survey answers the question of how video surveillance and access control systems are implemented and integrated, showing that 31% of respondents rely on integrated systems, 29% use fully unified solutions, and 40% still work with separate systems. All in all, over 60% of respondents use either unified or integrated solutions. The main reason for switching to new technologies, cited by 60%, was better integration with modern solutions. The trend is clearly towards networked, advanced systems that create added value.
Flexible Cloud Usage
Many organisations wish to maximise their flexibility and performance. Respondents increasingly recognise that they are not restricted to pure cloud solutions, but can choose the operating model that best suits their requirements. This can be a pure cloud solution, a hybrid system, or a pure on-premises solution.
The results show a clear trend towards clearly defined cloud strategies, with hybrid models being preferred. These combine the scalability of the cloud with the ability to keep sensitive data and critical workloads locally. Systems are often divided into separate security zones to maintain the operation of critical areas even in the event of cloud outages. This increases resilience and gives organisations greater control over their resources – in the cloud as well as on site.
Data Sharing Creates Added Value
Another result of the study is that physical security teams today manage data from a wide variety of sources and sensors, which provides operational information not only for security but for the entire organisation. As systems evolve, data sharing is becoming ever more important: Already 25% of end users share security data with other departments and, in turn, benefit from their information.
The Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI is fundamentally changing physical security by enabling better anomaly detection, anticipating incidents, and enabling faster decision-making – provided the systems are correctly implemented. With the advent of AI and large language models, demand is rising for advanced analytics, predictive monitoring, automation, AI-based products, and targeted training. However, to realise this potential, integrated systems and improved data sharing are required.
The objectives of organisations in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) vary. Here is a summary of the key findings, based on a survey of end users:
Automation
Top priority is automated actions. The most frequently mentioned goal is the automatic triggering of events (55%), closely followed by the full automation of repetitive tasks (48%).
Efficiency in data and emergency management
46% of respondents respectively aim to automatically filter/classify events and automate deployment planning in emergencies.
Prevention and analysis
A significant proportion of organisations want to use AI to predict future threats (34%) or to identify potential process improvements (30%).
Administrative support
Lower priorities at present are investigating incidents (27%) and creating transcriptions and reports (21%).
With the increasing adoption of AI, there is growing pressure on channel partners and manufacturers to provide solutions that meet users’ actual needs. While end users recognise the added value of AI for operations – for example, in alarm management or prioritising key events – they often need support to realise this potential in practice.
As there are still no clear stand-out solutions, users rely on advice when choosing products and understanding practical AI applications. For lasting success, system integrators and manufacturers need to work closely with their customers, drive innovation responsibly and manage expectations realistically.
While the “State of Physical Security” report by Genetec mainly answers the question of how video surveillance and access control systems are implemented and integrated, two other reports examine the two central components of physical security – access control and video surveillance – separately. This allows the respective developments, challenges and potential of both areas to be identified and better understood.
Access Control: The Key to Digital Identity in a Building
According to a study by Memoori the access control market is growing rapidly – from US$ 15.1 billion in 2024 to a projected US$ 21.3 billion by 2030. The forecast growth shows just how essential modern access solutions have become for the intelligent networking, automation and sustainable use of buildings. The study confirms, just like the above-mentioned survey, that more and more companies are integrating their security platforms with business and workplace systems to leverage added value from identity management, data analytics and efficient space utilisation. Memoori’s study also focuses on the future role of access control, which can become the backbone of digital buildings.
Deep Dive: Access Control & Identity Graph
Security technology is undergoing a transformation: Physical access control systems (PACS) are evolving from classic security tools into central data sources for occupancy analysis, workspace optimisation and real-time building control. At the heart of this development lies the ‘identity graph’ – a dynamic data model that links person- and permission-related information from various systems such as HR, IT, workspace booking and IoT. This identity architecture enables intelligent orchestration of building functions such as lighting, climate control or lifts, adapting to actual usage and permission contexts.
The identity graph is gaining particular importance in networked buildings as it acts as an interface between physical and digital identities: it connects employees, visitors and their authentication credentials with roles, access rights and preferences, and integrates data from a wide variety of sources. Only if systems know in real time who is where and which permissions are valid can automation and individual services be efficiently implemented.
The data generated by access control events, mobile authentications and visitor check-ins is now far more than mere security information. It is used for optimising space utilisation, automating HVAC and lighting, validating ESG reports and coordinating emergencies. Industry research shows that almost half of all organisations use access data for space utilisation decisions, while around a third have integrated their security platforms with business systems in the HR field. Especially in hybrid work environments, where attendance patterns are tracked, access control has become an indispensable tool for reliable attendance documentation.
The increasing software definition and networking of buildings is thus leading to PACS becoming the central integration point for other systems. Physical identity and access management (PIAM) platforms manage the entire identity lifecycle – from onboarding and role-specific permissions to the automatic revocation of access rights. Visitor management, lift control, parking systems and workplace apps are now directly linked to access platforms, enabling automated, personalised building services.
This convergence has triggered a strategic competition: Who will control the identity graph in the future? Traditional security providers are opening their systems to certified partners and developers to foster innovation. At the same time, IT and workplace platforms such as ServiceNow and Microsoft are integrating physical access management into their suites and positioning PACS as downstream systems. PropTech start-ups and tenant platforms are integrating identity, permission and occupancy data into their applications, pushing classic PACS providers into the role of infrastructure suppliers. The outcome of this competition will shape the industry over the coming decade.
According to Memoori’s study, the central question for the future is therefore: Will access control remain mere infrastructure – reliable but interchangeable – or will it become the intelligent control layer that harnesses added value from identity, presence and automation? The choice of the right platform will determine integration possibilities, data sovereignty and software dependencies for many years to come. The winners will be those who recognise that access control is now the operational backbone of digitally networked buildings and thus a key component of modern security technology. The message to access control system manufacturers from the security industry is clear: they must align the further development of their systems with open data standards to remain competitive.
Video Surveillance: Software Makes the Difference
In addition to access control systems, video systems play an important role in security architecture. The global market for video surveillance equipment and software recorded sales of US$ 33.8 billion in 2024, rising to US$ 35.5 billion in 2025. By 2030, further growth to US$ 47.9 billion is forecast. This equates to an average annual growth rate of almost 6%. This development can be explained by a shift in the industry: away from purely reactive security measures towards strategic, intelligence-based infrastructure investments.
Market Development, AI, Edge, Drones and TCO
An analysis by Memoori shows the market divided into four key segments: video camera hardware, software and analytics, video storage, and supporting hardware infrastructure. This segmentation alone demonstrates that the industry is increasingly characterised by software functions and recurring revenue models. In particular, analytics and cloud services are growing more than twice as fast as sales of traditional hardware components. Of course, solid hardware, flawless optics and the selection of the appropriate camera type remain the basis for successful use, but software and the processing power of cameras are becoming ever more important and are now a key purchasing criterion.
A significant trend is the increased use of AI-powered cameras with edge processing. For 2025, it is expected that these systems will account for a substantial proportion of worldwide camera shipments. They offer features such as object recognition, automatic number plate recognition, behavioural analysis and privacy-friendly redaction of recordings. This is transforming video surveillance from passive recording into a source of active business intelligence. Having this intelligence “on the edge” facilitates many applications and expands the options of classic surveillance systems, but for sensitive applications in high-security environments and where various sensors are used – keyword sensor fusion – a server-based software and analytics solution is still the method of choice.
Beyond fixed installations, drones are becoming an important expansion factor for surveillance solutions. They enable the monitoring of areas that are hardly accessible for fixed cameras, offer rapid deployment in incidents and allow continuous monitoring of large infrastructures, extensive company premises or even border areas. The integration of drones with ground-based systems and networked control centres marks a fundamental expansion of surveillance architecture – from static observation points to dynamic, mobile sensor networks.
Looking at the cost side of video technology, one sees a shift in the total cost of ownership (TCO). Whereas in the past, hardware – especially cameras – represented the biggest cost factor in video surveillance systems, today software, analytics and cloud services have taken on the dominant role in total expenditure. This change reflects the move towards subscription models and software-based value-added services.
For many years now, but still relevant, has been the trend to use video systems for more than just surveillance . Video analytics is increasingly being used to generate so-called “business intelligence”. Cameras are thus no longer used exclusively for security purposes, but also provide valuable insights into business processes, such as customer behaviour, movement flows or process optimisation.
A Look at the Vendors
Looking at the overall development of the security industry, a look at technology trends alone is not enough – providers of security technology are also a key factor. The aforementioned “State of Physical Security” report by Genetec analyses end users’ expectations of providers of physical security solutions and comes to the following conclusions:
Stability and future viability
By a wide margin, 73% of respondents consider the long-term viability and stability of the provider to be the decisive feature.
Product performance and cost
Perceived product performance (45%) and pricing (43%) follow closely behind.
Flexibility and mobility
For 39% of respondents, technologies for portability and migration are important, while 37% value flexible contract terms and exit strategies.
System architecture and provider strategy
About a third of users prefer to use a single provider for most systems (31%), while 29% deliberately seek open architecture.
In summary, for the majority of organisations, the security of a long-term partnership is more important than pure product performance or price.
The Role of Installers and Integrators
The fundamental transformation of the security industry is not limited to technology alone, but is also dissolving the traditional roles between manufacturers, installers and end customers. Security technology today no longer consists only of hardware and installation, but is seen as part of complex, digitally networked systems. Access control, video surveillance and perimeter protection are now based on software, use IP technology and are closely linked with IT, cloud and identity platforms. As a result, not only are the technical solutions evolving, but the requirements for planning, operation and consulting are also changing.
For installers and integrators, this means growing challenges: In addition to technical and electrical expertise, knowledge in network technology, IT security, software development and regulatory know-how is becoming ever more important. At the same time, innovation cycles are getting shorter, which is why end customers are placing increasing value on future security, integration and compliance – in addition to the pure functionality of the systems. Especially small and medium-sized installers often reach their resource limits in view of these changes, which is less due to a lack of expertise than to limited capacity.
Manufacturers are also undergoing change: They are moving from being pure product suppliers to becoming platform providers and are advising customers early on in the project. Through cloud solutions, digital identities and integrated ecosystems, they gain a comprehensive overview of system interrelationships and technological developments. Their proximity to the end customer should not be seen as competition with installers and integrators, but as a response to the growing complexity of modern security solutions.
The market is thus moving towards a new division of labour. Manufacturers are increasingly focusing on architectural and system issues, while installers remain important partners for implementation, operation and service. In the coming years, different profiles of installers will emerge, from specialised security integrators focusing on IT and identity management to operational implementation and service partners. A clear positioning within the security ecosystem will be crucial in future.
