Why the future of cloud is more flexible than you think
Find out why organizations favor hybrid-cloud security with insights from our 2026 State of Physical Security Report.
For the sixth consecutive year, our team conducted the State of Physical Security survey. We gathered insights about cloud adoption, gaining a deeper understanding of industry trends and challenges and insight into what end users, channel partners, and consultants are planning.
Survey findings suggest that end users are favoring hybrid models, deploying both on-prem and cloud solutions wherever they fit best. Keep reading to find out why cloud deployment flexibility is a critical consideration when modernizing a physical security architecture.
Choice and flexibility will define the next phase of cloud adoption
Right now, there’s growing momentum for hybrid deployments. In 2024, 49% of respondents said their deployments were all on-premises, and 8% said they were all cloud. In 2025, both numbers decreased slightly, with 48% on-prem and 7% cloud—but the number of respondents with a hybrid deployment increased by 2%.
What we’re seeing is a positive shift toward a flexible deployment model that combines on-prem and cloud solutions.
Though this is a marginal spike, it’s part of a bigger trend. Organizations are being strategic with their cloud deployments. They’re taking an incremental approach, deploying cloud solutions when and where it suits their business needs. Looking ahead, most organizations will continue to favor a flexible security architecture.
Deployment flexibility offers agility and control
A blend of on-premises and cloud-based solutions will suit most organizations. It gives them the freedom to cater to unique site requirements, goals, and policies. They stay in control of how systems get deployed and can make changes anytime, keeping them ready for what’s ahead.
For larger organizations, redundancy and scalability are the most significant reasons for choosing a flexible hybrid model. In our State of Physical Security Report, 19% of all survey respondents said their primary reason for replacing legacy systems was to move to a hybrid or full cloud deployment.
This finding aligns with IT’s growing role in buying and managing physical security systems. Our survey results show that 31% of IT respondents are choosing to lead with cloud-based solutions whenever possible, versus 27% of physical security respondents.
“Cloud or on-prem, or a mix of both? The right deployment depends on your organization’s size, security environment, and priorities. That’s why deployment choice matters.”
Despina Stamatelos, Director, Product and Industry Marketing at Genetec Inc.
Channel partners and consultants remain optimistic about future cloud adoption. In our survey, 71% of channel partners said they expect an increase in new cloud systems in 2026. Similarly, 72% of consultants confirmed they would recommend hybrid deployments in the next five years.
The reason? We think it’s because a hybrid deployment offers choice. Organizations can increase or decrease cloud-based storage and processing as needed. They can access video and data remotely. They can even federate cloud security solutions into their on-prem system, or vice versa. No matter how their security infrastructure evolves, they can adapt, pivoting between on-prem and cloud systems as needed.
INFO SHEET
How cloud-managed appliances help connect sites to the cloud
Did you know that edge devices can work alongside on-premises infrastructure? Many organizations are exploring cloud-managed appliances so they can keep their existing security architecture.
Some have made significant investments in edge cameras, IIoT devices, and other hardware that isn’t cloud-compatible. While they’re interested in trying cloud services, they aren’t ready to divest those assets.
Organizations in this situation can use cloud-managed appliances as a bridge to the cloud. These appliances are quick to deploy, and they offer centralized control of systems and hardware. They let organizations manage security tasks and monitor system health from one location. All updates are pushed to the appliance, providing access to continuous innovation and simplifying maintenance.
PRODUCT
Top reason for cloud adoption? Access to new features.
Now that there’s less hype surrounding the cloud, organizations are adding cloud appliances and systems for the practical benefits.
Getting access to automatic system updates and new features remains the top reason for cloud adoption. In our survey, 51% of all respondents said that gaining access to new capabilities is a major reason for modernizing legacy systems.
Ease of deployment and ease of system maintenance ranked second and third in 2025. This suggests that organizations are using cloud solutions strategically to modernize their operations, gain better remote visibility and control, and strengthen their cybersecurity posture.
Deploy on-prem or cloud solutions, anywhere they work best
The flexibility to choose between on-prem and cloud solutions, or combine them across sites, gives you ultimate decision power. No matter what restrictions or requirements you face or how your priorities shift in the future, you’ll be free to adapt without starting from scratch.
Still unsure where you might benefit from cloud solutions? Our ebook on deployment flexibility explores the best architectures for different scenarios.
