Introduction
The physical security landscape in Latin America and the Caribbean is undergoing rapid modernization, driven by an environment where both physical and cyber incidents are perceived to be on the rise, while operations increasingly rely on interconnected systems. This shift is highlighted in the State of Physical Security 2026 report by Genetec, based on a global survey conducted between August 18 and September 15, 2025, with 7,368 valid responses analyzed.
Key Findings
- Shift in Perspective: Physical security is transitioning from being a collection of standalone tools to being viewed as a strategic function capable of adding resilience and operational value.
- Technology Upgrades: There is a push to replace legacy technology and integrate previously separate systems.
- Blurred Threat Lines: The distinction between physical and digital threats is becoming increasingly blurred, with 43% of respondents reporting an increase in physical and/or cyber incidents in 2025.
- Cybersecurity Adoption: The deployment of cybersecurity tools within physical security environments is on the rise, with 43% of end-users already using such tools compared to 32% in 2024.
- Cloud and AI Integration: While the cloud is driving change, it’s not through a “everything-to-the-cloud” approach. Hybrid models dominate, with 48% reporting non-cloud environments in 2025, 45% hybrid, and only 7% fully cloud-based. A year prior, the hybrid model accounted for 43%.
- AI Prioritization: For the first time, artificial intelligence (including language model applications) is recognized as a priority comparable to video surveillance and access control in plans up to 2026.
- Talent Shortage: Technological advancements face a significant hurdle: the lack of skilled personnel. The report identifies talent challenges as a potential project delayer, with Latin America and the Caribbean facing notable difficulties in attracting and hiring talent, alongside North America and the Asia-Pacific region.
Detailed Insights
The report reveals that as systems become more interconnected, safeguarding IoT devices and edge infrastructure becomes an operational necessity. Common actions to bolster cybersecurity posture include staff training, user permission fine-tuning, infrastructure hardening, and data storage assurance.
Regarding cloud adoption, the hybrid model is favored for its flexibility and operational continuity. Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly prioritized, aiming to accelerate searches and investigations, filter and categorize events, automate repetitive tasks, and trigger events automatically. However, enthusiasm for AI coexists with caution; 29% of end-users reported having no concerns about AI, while the rest expressed worries about data misuse, lack of understanding, malicious use, or performance doubts compared to human capabilities.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is driving the changes in physical security in Latin America and the Caribbean? The rise in both physical and cyber incidents, coupled with the growing reliance on interconnected systems, is prompting organizations to modernize their physical security strategies.
- What technologies are being prioritized for integration? There is a push to replace legacy technology and integrate previously separate systems, with a growing emphasis on cloud solutions and artificial intelligence.
- How are organizations addressing the blurring lines between physical and digital threats? By adopting cybersecurity tools within their physical security environments and recognizing AI as a priority comparable to video surveillance and access control.
- What challenges is the industry facing in implementing these changes? A significant hurdle is the shortage of skilled personnel, with Latin America and the Caribbean experiencing notable difficulties in attracting and hiring talent.
Who is Genetec?
Genetec is a leading provider of unified security, surveillance, and information management software solutions. Their reports are widely recognized for their comprehensive insights into global security trends.
