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The global state of physical security

Genetec has released its sixth annual State of Physical Security Report 2026. Based on insights from over 7300 physical security leaders worldwide, including end users, channel partners, systems integrators, and consultants, the report shows that physical security is playing a broader strategic role within organisations. The findings highlight closer collaboration across departments and a greater interest in technologies that enhance operational awareness and decision-making.

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 organisational 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 organisations work more cohesively, respond more effectively, and stay focused on long-term goals,” said Christian Morin, vice president of product engineering at Genetec.

Demand for unified systems grows

Survey findings indicate that organisations are prioritising modernisation of their physical security systems to support this shift toward stronger collaboration and business decision-making. More than 70% of respondents use unified or integrated systems, 60% cite integrating new capabilities as their main motivation for replacing legacy technology, and 51% 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 a key selection factor

Survey findings show that organisations place strong importance on choosing manufacturers they consider stable and trustworthy; 73% of end users say the vendor's long-term viability and stability are key factors when evaluating solutions, while product performance and price rank second at 45% and 43%, respectively. This points to a clear preference for partners who can provide continuity, support multi-year modernisation efforts, and deliver reliable product development as systems evolve.

Interest in AI, 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

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 2026 priorities, including access control modernisation, cybersecurity initiatives, and the growing use of analytics. It also offers regional findings and additional forecasts to help organisations plan their next steps.

The report is available at https://www.genetec.com/a/physical-security-report

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