Report Finds Physical Security Technology Is Increasingly Hybrid

More organizations are pursuing hybrid deployments of technology for physical security, according to a new report. Genetec recently shared the results of its 2022 State Physical Security report, which is based on insights from more than 3,700 physical security leaders worldwide. The findings reveal that 54 percent of end-user respondents indicated their organization’s target vision for security deployment is a blend of on-premises and cloud-based solutions. A hybrid approach enables organizations to optimize their existing on-premises investments while leveraging cloud options to save cost, increase security and efficiency, and enable remote access to systems and sensors, according to the research.

Among some of the other highlights of the report:

Cybersecurity concerns are rising: The convergence of information technology (IT) and security is inspiring new approaches to implementing and managing a strong cyber security strategy. Sixty-four percent of IT respondents and 54 percent of security respondents indicated that cybersecurity tools are a top focus this year.

Use of physical security for business operations: The survey showed that almost two thirds (63 percent) of all respondents and seven in every 10 organizations with over 10,000 employees described physical security and related data as “mission-critical.” Over the last few years, physical security has become a strategic asset to cope with a variety of challenges that go beyond just mitigating risk and is now playing a much more significant role in organizations’ digital transformation.

Physical security gets unified: Most respondents (64 percent) reported that they run both video surveillance and access control in their physical security deployments. Of those, 77 percent indicated that their organization had implemented either integration between video surveillance and access control systems from different vendors, or a unified video surveillance and access control solution from one manufacturer.