Genetec, a global specialist of unified security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence solutions, has revealed its top predictions for the development of the physical security sector in Australia and New Zealand throughout 2024.
Central among these are the convergence of IT and physical security teams, a growing demand for hybrid cloud solutions, and a focus on access control modernisation.
George Moawad, Country Manager A/NZ at Genetec, stated that organisations in 2024 are likely to accentuate synergy between their IT and physical security teams. This duality would enable enhanced risk identification and data usage within an entity.
He noted that physical security leaders are already incorporating members with IT expertise into their departments, while Security Operations are broadening their scope to address physical security threats by fusing data from both departments.
According to Moawad, "The need for unified, cloud-connected physical security solutions will increase as cross-departmental collaboration expands."
Modernising access control is another significant focus slated for 2024. To simplify the shift towards modernisation, several organisations in A/NZ are expected to transition to a hybrid-cloud model and launch cloud-synced access control solutions.
"This year, we'll also see greater demand for open access control solutions. Businesses are increasingly looking for the flexibility to add and connect the best technologies available," explains Moawad.
He also predicts a move towards unifying operations to streamline system maintenance and monitoring activities, all leading to improved efficiency and cost savings.
Additionally, the physical security sector is set to witness a marked uptick in hybrid-cloud implementation among medium and large organisations. Citing a survey of over 5,500 physical security pros conducted by Genetec, Moawad explained that 44% of entities already have more than a quarter of their physical security systems run via a cloud or hybrid-cloud setup.
As cloud adoption rises in Australia and New Zealand, Moawad suggests, "There will be growing interest in new plug-and-play, cloud-ready appliances. They not only streamline access to cloud services but also enhance computing power at the edge."
The market has observed a proliferation in physical security devices and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) sensors. Consequently, many companies will look at digitising and automating their operations to aid their staff. As such, the demand for physical security solutions embedded with analytics, automation tools, and visual displays will amplify.
"Organisations that opt for an API-centric, open architecture, along with a unified approach will stand to gain the most over time," Moawad concludes.