12.30.24 – CE Pro Editors
Artificial intelligence, dynamic client partnerships and other emerging security trends hold immense potential for security integrators.
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The security integration landscape is constantly shifting and 2025 promises to be a year of unprecedented transformation thanks to five security trends. As the founder and president of a security systems integration firm, I’ve witnessed first-hand the challenges and opportunities that come with this change.
Artificial intelligence, dynamic client partnerships and other emerging security trends hold immense potential for security integrators. However, harnessing this potential requires adaptability and a proactive approach.
As we look to 2025, here are five key security trends that shaping the future for integrators:
Harnessing AI for Real-World Application
AI has made its way from cutting-edge innovation to practical deployment in physical security. In 2025, nearly 40% of end users plan to integrate AI into their systems, but the technology is only as effective as its implementation.
For integrators, this means narrowing the focus to applications that solve real problems. AI-powered video analytics, like those introduced to Vivint this year, for example, can sift through hours of footage to flag unusual activity, reducing the workload on operators.
The real challenge, however, is helping clients not just adopt these tools but fully understand their functionality and the value they bring to their operations. By providing clear guidance and education, integrators can bridge the gap between potential and practical impact.
Hybrid Cloud: Balancing Scalability and Control
Hybrid cloud solutions are becoming the preferred choice for many organizations in the physical security industry. According to Genetec’s 2025 State of the Physical Security Report, 43% of end users plan to adopt hybrid deployments over the next five years, blending on-premises and cloud capabilities.
Meanwhile, only 18% favor fully cloud-based solutions, and 17% intend to remain entirely on-premises. This measured approach reflects the diverse needs of organizations.
For integrators, helping clients strike the right balance is essential. One of the biggest challenges clients face is managing cloud-related costs, which can quickly spiral without proper oversight.
Smaller businesses often benefit from the scalability and accessibility of cloud-based tools, such as remote management. Larger enterprises, on the other hand, prioritize the control and security provided by on-premises systems, making hybrid models a practical middle ground.
Customization: Tailoring Solutions to Client Needs
Every client’s security environment is unique, and the days of one-size-fits-all systems are long gone. Whether it’s integrating with existing hardware, enabling advanced analytics, or solving niche challenges, customization is becoming a non-negotiable expectation.
In the Bay Area, where businesses span diverse industries such as technology, healthcare, and retail, customization is especially critical. These organizations often operate in highly complex environments with specific security needs.
For example, a tech company might prioritize safeguarding sensitive data and intellectual property, while a retail chain may focus on loss prevention and customer safety.
Integrators play a vital role in designing solutions that seamlessly fit into these varied operations. This could involve ensuring new systems are interoperable with legacy infrastructure, upgrading specific components instead of initiating a full overhaul, or creating workflows tailored to a client’s unique processes.
Collaboration with IT: A Growing Security Trend
As security technology becomes more integrated with IT infrastructure, collaboration between security and IT departments is essential. By 2025, IT teams are expected to be involved in over 50% of all security purchasing decisions, signaling the rising influence of IT in shaping security strategies.
This overlap creates a valuable opportunity for integrators to act as a bridge between these two departments. IT teams bring critical expertise in areas such as network security, data management, and compliance—key considerations as security systems rely more on cloud platforms and connected devices.
Strengthening Core Systems
Core systems like access control and video surveillance remain the backbone of most security projects, even as AI and cloud technologies reshape the industry. These systems continue to command the largest share of client budgets, reflecting their critical importance.
In 2025, the priority will be modernizing these systems to enhance functionality without adding unnecessary complexity. Industry data shows that 65% of security decision-makers plan to update their access control or video surveillance systems within the next two years, highlighting the push to meet modern standards.
Integrators who can modernize core systems while ensuring seamless operation will exceed client expectations and solidify their role as trusted partners. By delivering practical upgrades that address both immediate needs and future demands, integrators can provide lasting value to their clients.
2025 Security Trends
As 2025 approaches, the security integration industry stands on the brink of significant growth and change. By embracing key trends like AI, hybrid cloud solutions, and the modernization of core systems, integrators have an opportunity to stand out in a competitive market and provide unmatched value to clients.
Rob Chamberlin is the founder and president of Security 101‘s San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento offices.
The article was originally published on our sister site Security Sales & Integration.