The comprehensive study gathered responses from 1,800 partners, end users, and security and IT personnel worldwide, and reveals a significant transformation in how businesses are approaching security, with mobile credentials and artificial intelligence (AI) becoming key drivers of innovation. “The security industry is at a pivotal moment where the integration of modern technology with existing infrastructure is no longer optional—it’s imperative,” said Ramesh Songukrishnasamy, Sr. VP of Engineering at HID.
The findings from the report indicate the growing prioritization of software-driven unified solutions, with 73% of security leaders indicating this focus. The shift signals a move away from traditional siloed approaches, highlighting the industry's evolution toward platforms capable of scaling to meet varied needs.
Among the key trends identified, the increased adoption of mobile credentials stands out. A staggering 61% of security leaders recognize this as a top trend, demonstrating how organizations are increasingly deploying or planning to deploy mobile solutions. Concurrently, there’s rising demand for biometric technologies, with around 35% of respondents currently employing such technology, and 13% indicating plans to implement it. This indicates substantial growth potential within this sector.
Another notable trend is the increasing demand for unified security management solutions. A significant 67% of security leaders are moving toward software-driven security solutions, emphasizing the importance of unifying various data collection methodologies. Approximately 73% of security leaders believe this unification is “somewhat” or “very important” to their organizations.
Interoperability has emerged as the backbone of progress within the security industry, as more than half of the security professionals surveyed reported open solutions as being “extremely” or “very” significant. This shift underlines the industry's preference for platforms facilitating seamless integration over standalone products.
Nearly two-thirds of organizations, along with 73% of integrators and consultants, have indicated this movement toward software solutions converging physical and digital functions such as video surveillance, access control, and intrusion detection. These allude to the urgent need for comprehensive security frameworks capable of adapting to dynamic organizational demands.
Another noteworthy observation from the study is how digital innovation is transforming the security channel. While 77% of channel partners express confidence in their adaptation to these changes, the shifting end-user demand for AI, cloud solutions, IoT integration, and advanced analytics is reshaping service expectations across the market. The need for continual evolution and adaptation has never been more pronounced as businesses strive to keep pace with rapid digital transformations in the security sector.
AI agents, too, are experiencing rapid adoption as part of enhancing security operations. Their applications are growing across multiple domains, including access control and identity management. Key benefits of these AI solutions include improved efficiency and speed of security processes, as noted by 50% of the respondents. Enhanced capabilities for real-time data analysis are also gaining traction, with 47% of participants recognizing this as a significant advantage of incorporating AI agents.
Despite these advancements, the issue of sustainability remains pivotal within security decision-making, with 75% of security leaders now considering it when selecting solutions. Nonetheless, sustainability rankings lower than security features and cost-effectiveness, which remain the top priorities for around 80% of integrators and consultants.
The full report, which encompasses these findings along with additional global data and analyses, offers extensive insights for organizations aiming to navigate the shifting security technology terrain. To access the entire document, interested parties can [read it here](#). Image Credit: HID.