Physical security: Trends for 2025

 

In 2025, the physical security industry will focus on ways to maximize existing investments to enhance security, increase efficiency, and boost collaboration between teams. And even though there’s excitement around deploying emerging technology - the main priorities will be investments in core technologies and cybersecurity.

Check out our top 5 physical security trends below.

REPORT

 

Practicality will overcome hype

Organizations are becoming more strategic in how they deploy the cloud in their environment. They’re finding the right balance combining on-premises, edge, and cloud solutions wherever they fit best.  

In 2025, decision makers will put a bigger emphasis on hybrid systems. They’ll look for the best ways to centrally monitor remote sites from an on-premises headend system and reduce on-site maintenance work with lightweight, quick-deploy hybrid cloud systems. They’ll want to modernize their video or access control systems without scrapping their existing investments. Those with deployments that are fully in the cloud may also want to optimize data processing and storage costs or facilitate broader third-party integrations using on-premises infrastructure.

Software as a service (SaaS) solutions that are open, unified, and support hybrid-cloud environments will be the most flexible path forward. Beyond mixing deployment models, organizations will be able to combine video, access control, intrusion, intercom, and other sensors from a variety of manufacturers. They can also connect existing infrastructure so that they become available via the cloud and install new devices at their own pace.  

Cloud-managed appliances (or edge devices) will be key for organizations who want to bring their existing hardware to the cloud. They’ll save time on deploying systems and save on the costs of changing non-compatible cameras or access control hardware – making the transition to the cloud easier.

CHECKLIST

 

AI for outcome-driven benefits

The 2025 State of Physical Security Report indicates that 42% of respondents who work in procurement, management, or use of physical security technology, plan to deploy some facet of AI in their security operations in the coming months. 

When applied thoughtfully, AI-enabled security solutions can be game-changing. Especially when organizations start by identifying key operational challenges and then solve them through intelligent automation, which is a combination of artificial intelligence (AI), intuitive user experience (intuitive UX), and automation. The most effective implementations are anchored in Responsible AI, ensuring technology is both ethical and transparent. This approach not only mitigates risks but also enhances trust and compliance. 

Physical security teams who integrate AI into their security systems will want outcome-driven benefits. These include automating event detection through video analytics and streamlining emergency response dispatch. By filtering and classifying events for human assessment and identifying process improvements, IA can transform data overload into actionable intelligence. 

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Organizations will prioritize data privacy

The global average cost of a data breach hit $4.88 million in 2024. This, combined with the fact that 67% of organizations were impacted by industry regulations like NIS2, CCPA/CPRA, and GDPR in the last year means organizations will continue to invest in data protection and industry compliance. However, not all physical security systems on the market are built to support these efforts.

When deploying new systems, IT and physical security teams will choose ones with built-in data protection and privacy tools and have the latest certification such as SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, and ISO/IEC 27017. They’ll also look at cloud and hybrid-cloud solutions since upgrades and fixes automatically get pushed to their physical security system—including new cybersecurity and privacy features.

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Cross-team collaboration will gain traction

Our latest industry report shows that many organizations expect to have difficulty hiring qualified personnel in 2025. This could explain why tools that help with data analysis and visualization , and improved collaboration between teams  ranked among the top 5 projects for 2025.

Organizations want to remove bottlenecks and ease stress for security teams. To do that, they’ll look for tools that empower people in IT, facilities, and human resources with greater information and autonomy.  

Work management software can help with cross-team collaboration, as it centralizes information to improve communication with work dispatching, and resource management, as well as with reports and audits. And digital evidence management tools make it easy for teams to collect, manage, review, and collaborate on investigations.

Tools that help different teams take more initiative in getting projects done will help boost productivity and output across the organization.

BROCHURE

 

Stakeholders will demand more from service providers

Choosing physical security solutions doesn’t solely fall on the shoulders of security professionals anymore. From information technology (IT) teams and security operations (SecOps) to facilities teams, more people are getting involved in physical security decisions.

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But they all come to the table with a focus on their own challenges, requirements, and priorities:  

• Physical security needs to streamline response and investigative tasks  

• IT looks at data and network protection along with maintenance efficiency  

• SecOps focuses on cybersecurity, process automation, and data optimization  

• Facilities and others are concerned about the secure and efficient use of real-estate investments, and want to gain business insights  

Because of this, end users will demand more from service providers including channel partners, consultants, and technology vendors. They expect these providers to have a deeper understanding of cybersecurity, operations, data, and business automation. They’ll want more cohesive guidance to address stakeholder needs and equip them with the right tools.  

We think this will create stronger partnerships industry-wide that are focused both on security operations and the practical application of business intelligence.