Genetec 2026 Report Highlights Cyber Risks as Physical Security Systems Become More Connected
Summary
Genetec’s survey of 7,368 physical security professionals examines cyber risks, IT collaboration, and modernization. Among end users, 36% prioritize cybersecurity tools for 2026, while 70% report employee cybersecurity training.
Key points
- Genetec surveyed professionals across six regions from August 18 to September 15, 2025, analyzing 7,368 completed responses from end users, channel partners, consultants, and manufacturers.
- The report identifies protection of connected IoT and edge devices as a core requirement as physical security systems increasingly share networks and data with IT.
- Asked which cybersecurity incidents increased in 2025, end users selected phishing/smishing at 50%, malware at 41%, and device hacking for network access at 40%; multiple responses were allowed.
- Reported defensive approaches included employee cybersecurity training (70%), adjusting permissions and privileges (48%), infrastructure hardening (46%), and securing data storage (44%).
- Among IT respondents, 38% reported collecting cybersecurity monitoring or threat data into SOCs, compared with 24% of security and safety respondents.
- Cybersecurity tools are a 2026 project priority for 36% of end users. Maintaining access to cybersecurity patches was cited by 23% of respondents as a motivation for replacing legacy systems.
- Survey recruitment included events, digital promotions, and opt-in email lists; the report notes that differing response and completion rates may introduce sampling variations.
Article Details
- Publisher
- Genetec Inc.
- Report Period
- 2025 survey findings and 2026 priorities; fieldwork from 2025-08-18 to 2025-09-15
- Scope
- Worldwide survey of physical security end users, channel partners, consultants, and manufacturers across six regions.
- Sample Size
- 7,368 validated, fully completed surveys, including 2,751 end users, 3,119 channel partners, 820 consultants, and 678 manufacturers.
- Key Statistics
- In the 2025 survey, 40% of respondents reported integrated video surveillance and access control implementations, 31% unified implementations, and 29% separate systems.
- Cybersecurity tools were a 2025 priority for 47% of IT respondents versus 27% of security and safety respondents; 38% of IT respondents collected cybersecurity monitoring/threat data into SOCs versus 24% of security and safety respondents.
- Among end users answering the multiple-response question about increases in cybersecurity incidents in 2025, 50% selected phishing/smishing, 41% malware, and 40% device hacking for network access.
- Hybrid-cloud physical security deployments accounted for 45% in 2025 versus 43% in 2024; fully on-premises deployments accounted for 48% and fully cloud deployments for 7% in 2025.
- Among end users, 70% reported educating employees on cybersecurity best practices, 48% fine-tuning permissions and privileges, and 46% hardening security infrastructure; multiple responses were permitted.
- Recommendations
- Align IT and physical security teams around shared infrastructure and data to strengthen network resilience and secure technology deployment.
- Pair AI-driven analytics with responsible data practices and clear operational goals.
- Partition hybrid-cloud infrastructure into independently managed security zones so critical functions can remain operational during cloud disruptions.
- Invest in continuous training, cross-skilling, and upskilling to keep staff current with emerging technologies.
- Evaluate deployment choices against organizational needs and select long-term partners with design and deployment expertise, stability, and attention to total cost of ownership.
People
Anne-Cécile TournierProduct Group Director, Intelligent Automation, Genetec Inc.; emphasized practical AI applications and responsible development.Christian MorinVice-President, Product Engineering, Genetec Inc.; described security intelligence as supporting enterprise innovation and adaptation.Despina StamatelosDirector, Product and Industry Marketing, Genetec Inc.; emphasized matching cloud, on-premises, or mixed deployments to organizational requirements.