Genetec has released the results of its 2025 State of the Physical Security Report, which shows accelerated hybrid cloud adoption and IT’s growing strategic influence.
The report is based on insights from over 5,600 physical security leaders worldwide (including end users, channel partners, systems integrators, and consultants), offering a comprehensive analysis of evolving trends in physical security operations.
As organisations evaluate cloud solutions for physical security, most are prioritising a hybrid strategy that aligns with operational needs, budget constraints and storage requirements.
This pragmatic and flexible deployment approach allows critical data and applications to be managed both on-premises and in the cloud.
According to the report, 43% of end users envision hybrid deployments as their preferred approach within the next five years, compared to just 18% favouring fully cloud-based implementations and 17% planning to remain fully on-premises.
This preference for hybrid-cloud is echoed by consultants and channel partners, with 66% of consultants planning to recommend hybrid deployments in the next five years.
This data not only reflects the rising demand for adaptable deployment models but also highlights a measured approach to cloud adoption as the industry matures.
By focusing on operational realities, varying costs of the cloud and evolving security requirements, organisations will be better positioned to successfully adopt the cloud at a pace and cost that reflects their needs.
“There’s no all-or-nothing with a hybrid-cloud approach,” said Christian Morin, Vice President Product Engineering, Genetec.
“Businesses remain in total control of how they deploy their systems across various locations.
“With an open ecosystem, they can implement the best technology—whether on-premises or in the cloud— that meets their business needs and avoid unnecessary compromise, without ever being locked into proprietary solutions.
“This allows them to deploy, scale, and upgrade systems faster, streamline processes and strengthen their security posture in the most efficient and effective ways.”
A decade ago, physical security systems in large organisations were typically managed by personnel in specialised security departments.
However, the increasing adoption of cloud and hybrid-cloud solutions, the rise in cybersecurity threats, and the need to align physical and digital security have led IT teams to take an increasingly prominent role in influencing the acquisition and deployment of physical security systems.
According to the report, 77% of end users say physical security and information technology (IT) departments now work collaboratively.
Additionally, IT departments are taking on an increasing role in the buying process, with over 50% of end users, systems integrators, and consultants reporting that IT teams are now actively involved in physical security purchasing decisions.
“The evolving role of physical security is reshaping how organisations secure both their people and digital networks. With IT at the forefront of implementing cloud and hybrid solutions, physical security operations are becoming more resilient, data-driven, and adaptable to evolving threats,” Morin added.
The report reveals a significant rise in the interest toward AI adoption in physical security, with 37% of end users planning to implement AI-powered features in 2025, up from just 10% in 2024.
This heightened interest aligns with a strategic, purpose-driven approach.
With 42% of end users seeing AI as a tool to streamline security operations, organisations are focusing on practical applications, such as refining threat detection and automating routine processes, with intelligent automation as the ultimate goal.
Genetec surveyed physical security professionals from August 12th to September 15th, 2024.
Following a review of submissions and data cleansing, 5,696 respondents (including end users, channel partners, and consultants) were included in the sample for analysis.
Survey samples were run across all regions including North America, Central America, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, East Asia, Southern Asia, South-Eastern Asia, Central Asia, Western Asia and Australia-New Zealand.
