Genetec Inc. (“Genetec”) has shared the results of its 2025 State of Electronic Security Report. Based on the opinions of more than 5,600 industry leaders worldwide (including end users, channel partners, systems integrators, and consultants), this document provides a comprehensive analysis of evolving trends in electronic security operations.Hybrid cloud adoption is growing as organizations seek flexibility and control.
As organizations evaluate cloud solutions for electronic security, most are prioritizing a hybrid strategy that fits their operational needs, budget constraints, and storage requirements. This pragmatic and flexible deployment approach allows them to manage critical data and applications both on-premises and in the cloud.
According to the report, 43% of end users believe hybrid deployments will be their preferred approach over the next five years, compared to only 18% who prefer fully cloud-based deployments and 17% who plan to remain entirely on-premises. This preference for hybrid cloud is shared by consultants and channel partners, with 66% of consultants planning to recommend hybrid deployments within the next five years.
“With a hybrid cloud approach, there’s no ‘all or nothing’ situation. Businesses still have complete control over how they deploy their systems across different locations. With an open ecosystem, they can implement the best technology—whether on-premises or cloud—that meets their business needs and avoid unnecessary compromises, without 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 way,” says Christian Morin, Vice President of Product Engineering at Genetec Inc.
European and Southern European Context:
In Europe, mature markets are prioritizing upgrading legacy systems as their top goal for 2025, ranking as their fourth priority globally. Furthermore, 55% of end users in Europe indicate they will not store video in the cloud by 2025, a significantly higher percentage than the global average of 33%. This data reflects a more cautious approach to the cloud compared to other regions.
Southern Europe (Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Albania, Malta, and Cyprus) presents additional specific challenges. 45% of end users reported that their budgets remained stagnant in 2024, compared to the European average of 25%. Moreover, cost is the most frequent reason for slow cloud adoption, cited by 58% of end users, compared to the global average of 35%. Southern European users also selected cybersecurity risks more frequently than any other subregion as a reason for delaying cloud adoption. In Southern Europe, this was the second most commonly selected reason, chosen by 35% of end users compared to 24% across Europe (reason no. 6).
IT departments are taking center stage in decision-making.
A decade ago, the electronic security systems of large organizations were typically managed by staff in specialized security departments. However, the increasing adoption of cloud and hybrid cloud solutions, the rise in cybersecurity threats, and the need to align electronic and digital security have led IT teams to assume an increasingly prominent role in influencing the acquisition and implementation of electronic security systems.
According to the report, 77% of end users say that electronic security and information technology (IT) departments now work collaboratively. Furthermore, IT departments are assuming an increasingly important role in the purchasing process, with over 50% of end users, systems integrators, and consultants stating that IT teams are now actively involved in electronic security purchasing decisions.
“The evolving role of e-security is changing how organizations protect their employees and digital networks. With IT at the forefront of deploying cloud and hybrid solutions, e-security operations are becoming more resilient, data-driven, and adaptable to evolving threats,” Morin adds.
AI adoption grows as the sector prioritizes practical applications.
The report reveals a significant increase in interest in adopting AI in electronic security, with 37% of end users planning to implement AI-powered features by 2025, up from just 10% in 2024. However, Southern Europe is the region least likely to integrate AI into electronic security systems, with 57% stating they have no plans to do so, likely due to concerns about malicious use (53% versus a global average of 38%).
This increased overall interest aligns with a strategic and goal-oriented approach. With 42% of end users viewing AI as a tool to streamline security operations, organizations are focusing on practical applications such as improving threat detection and automating routine processes. The ultimate goal: intelligent automation.
Survey Methodology:
Genetec Inc. surveyed electronic security professionals between August 12 and September 15, 2024. After a review of submissions and data cleaning, 5,696 respondents (including end users, channel partners, and consultants) were included in the sample for analysis. Survey samples were conducted in all regions, including North America, Central America, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, West Asia, and Australia-New Zealand.
