The results highlight closer collaboration between departments and a greater interest in technologies that foster better operational awareness and decision-making. Physical security is evolving from protection to empowering business outcomes. The report shows a shift in how physical security systems are implemented and valued. They are no longer seen merely as a layer of protection, but are becoming a business function that contributes to broader organizational goals.
“As security becomes more tightly integrated into the overall fabric of the business, it is becoming a true enabler of business results, helping organizations to work more cohesively, respond more effectively, and stay focused on long-term goals ,” says Christian Morin, vice president of Product Engineering at Genetec Inc.
Modernization is accelerating as demand for unified systems grows. Survey results indicate that organizations are prioritizing the modernization of their physical security systems to support this shift towards stronger collaboration and business decision-making.
More than 70% of respondents use unified or integrated systems, and 60% say their main motivation for replacing legacy technology is to integrate new capabilities. 51% cite access to new features as another key factor. According to Rafael Martín, Sales Director for Southern Europe at Genetec: "Spain wants less integration and more unification.".
Discussing the case of Spain, the excessive regulations regarding intrusion and access control were highlighted. Furthermore, the increasing purchasing power of IT departments was also noted.
The most replaced systems in Spain this past year were video surveillance cameras and access control systems.
These trends reflect a growing interest in multifunctional systems that provide operational information and help teams get more out of their current investments. Long-term supplier stability is becoming a key selection factor.
The survey results show that organizations place great importance on choosing manufacturers they consider stable and reliable. 73% of end users state that the long-term viability and stability of the vendor are key factors when evaluating solutions, while product performance and price indicators follow, at 45% and 43%, respectively. This points to a clear preference for partners who can offer continuity, support long-term modernization efforts, and develop reliable products as systems evolve.
Interest in AI is growing, but teams want practical benefits. AI is an area of increasing importance. For the first time, AI, alongside access control and video surveillance, is among the top project priorities for 2026. Interest in adopting AI has more than doubled among end users since last year's report. They see the value of a technology that helps manage alarms, support investigations, and reduce distractions in critical or emergency situations where maximum focus is required. At the same time, 70% express concern about how AI systems are designed and implemented, specifically regarding data usage and understanding how AI works, reinforcing the need for clear guidance from vendors. Hybrid cloud is preferred and defines the future of security infrastructure
The cloud is playing an increasingly important role in the design and maintenance of security infrastructure. End users identify automatic updates, ease of deployment, and simpler maintenance as key advantages. Respondents expect cloud adoption to continue through 2026, supported by the flexibility to choose which workloads remain on-premises and which are moved to the cloud.
Forecast for 2026
The report also provides insights into priorities for 2026, including modernizing access control, cybersecurity initiatives, and the increasing use of analytics. It also offers findings for different geographic regions and additional forecasts to help organizations plan their next steps.
In the case of Spain, Rafael Martín highlighted the delay of projects due to the lack of public budgets, the lack of qualified personnel in the sector and the importance of the service and added value of security system providers.
For more information and to download the State of Physical Security 2026 report, visit State of Electronic Security 2026 | Genetec
Survey methodology
The report is based on survey responses from 7,368 physical security professionals across six regions (United States and Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Australia and New Zealand). Participants included end users, channel partners, consultants, and manufacturers from organizations of all sizes and sectors. The survey was conducted between August 18 and September 15, 2025, and only fully completed responses were included in the analysis.
