Genetec Inc., a global leader in enterprise electronic security software, has presented the results of its 2025 Electronic Security Trends Report. This study, based on responses from over 5,600 industry leaders worldwide, including end users, channel partners, system integrators, and consultants, offers a detailed analysis of emerging and evolving trends within electronic security operations.
Hybrid Cloud Adoption Grows as Organizations Seek Flexibility and Control
As organizations evaluate cloud solutions for electronic security, most prioritize 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 that 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 also echoed by consultants and channel partners, with 66% of consultants planning to recommend hybrid deployments in the next five years.
“With a hybrid cloud approach, there’s no ‘all or nothing’. Companies retain full control over how they deploy their systems across different locations. With an open ecosystem, they can implement the best technology—whether on-premises or in the cloud—that meets their business needs without unnecessary compromise, avoiding lock-in to proprietary solutions. This enables them to deploy, scale, and update systems more quickly, streamline processes, and enhance their security posture in the most efficient and effective way,” says Christian Morin, Vice President of Product Engineering at Genetec Inc.
European Context and Southern Europe
In Europe, mature markets are prioritizing the upgrade of legacy systems as their main goal for 2025, which globally ranks as their fourth preference. Additionally, 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%. These figures reflect a more cautious approach to the cloud compared to other regions.
Southern Europe (Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Albania, Malta, and Cyprus) presents specific challenges as well. 45% of end users reported that their budgets remained stagnant in 2024, compared to 25% for the European average. Furthermore, costs are the most common reason for the slow adoption of the cloud, chosen by 58% of end users compared to the global average of 35%. Users in Southern Europe also identified cybersecurity risks more frequently than any other subregion as a barrier to 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 #6).
IT Departments Take Center Stage in Decision-Making
A decade ago, electronic security systems in large organizations were typically managed by specialized security department staff. However, the increasing adoption of cloud and hybrid cloud solutions, the rise of cybersecurity threats, and the need to align electronic and digital security have led IT teams to take on an increasingly prominent role in influencing the acquisition and deployment of electronic security systems.
According to the report, 77% of end users say that electronic security and information technology (IT) departments now work in collaboration. Moreover, IT areas are taking on an increasingly important role in the purchasing process, as over 50% of end users, system integrators, and consultants report that IT teams are now actively involved in electronic security purchasing decisions.
“The evolution of the role of electronic security is changing the way organizations protect their employees and their digital networks. With IT at the forefront of implementing cloud and hybrid solutions, electronic 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 toward adopting AI in electronic security, with 37% of end users planning to implement AI-driven features by 2025, up from just 10% in 2024. However, Southern Europe emerges as the region least likely to integrate AI into electronic security systems, with 57% stating they have no plans to integrate AI, likely due to concerns about its misuse (53% regard it this way compared to a global average of 38%).
This heightened 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 enhancing threat detection and automating routine processes. The ultimate goal: intelligent automation.