Majority plan to lift security budgets

Most organizations buying physical security technology in 2026 are planning to spend more, and the money is moving toward integrated systems rather than stand-alone gear. (genetec.com) Genetec said its 2026 State of Physical Security report drew on responses from more than 7,300 security leaders worldwide, including end users, channel partners, systems integrators and consultants. The company said more than 70% of respondents already use unified or integrated systems. (genetec.com) In that survey, 60% said the main reason to replace legacy technology was to integrate new capabilities, and 51% cited access to new features. Security Sales & Integration, which covered the report on December 9, 2025, said the top priorities included access control modernization, cybersecurity initiatives and wider use of analytics. (genetec.com) (securitysales.com) Physical security is the business of controlling who gets in, watching what happens on site, and responding when something goes wrong. The newer buying pattern links cameras, door readers, alarms and software so one system can share data across all of them. (genetec.com) (securitysales.com) That shift has been building as security teams work more closely with information technology departments that manage networks, software updates and cyber risk. ASIS International reported in March 2026 that many organizations are already unifying cyber and physical security approaches to system management. (asisonline.org) Industry researchers also expect the market itself to keep expanding through 2026. ASIS International and the Security Industry Association said their joint economic study tracks growth in both security equipment and security services markets through 2026. (asisonline.org) The products attracting budget are not just cameras and locks, but software that can search video, manage credentials and flag unusual activity. Gallagher’s 2025 industry trends report listed system integration, cybersecurity, video surveillance, analytics and reporting, cloud support and biometric access control among the leading areas of demand. (gallagher.com) Suppliers say buyers also want more flexibility in where those systems run. Genetec said organizations increasingly want workloads deployed on premises, in the cloud, or in hybrid setups that mix both. (genetec.com) Not every signal points in the same direction for every buyer. Pro-Vigil said in February 2026 that 46% of respondents in its annual outlook feared economic uncertainty would hurt their company’s physical security in the coming year, even as businesses kept preparing new security strategies. (securityinfowatch.com) The result is a market where security budgets are still rising, but buyers are asking harder questions about how systems connect, how they are managed and whether they can be upgraded without another full rip-and-replace cycle. (asisonline.org) (genetec.com)