On-prem or SaaS security: Which one is right for you?
On-prem or cloud? Explore different deployment strategies and learn when each works best. Discover how a single physical security platform that supports all deployments gives you ultimate flexibility and sets your organization up for long-term success.
In our 2026 State of Physical Security Report, 52% of end users said that their physical security deployment already involves cloud solutions. And 61% reported moving toward a blend of on-prem and cloud services or a full cloud deployment in the next five years.
As cloud-managed solutions become more popular in the physical security industry, decision-makers are asking the following questions:
- What are the differences between on-prem and software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions?
- How do I know if my organization should stay on-prem or move to the cloud?
- Are there situations where my organization could benefit from both on-prem and cloud solutions?
Find out how different physical security setups compare—and how deployment flexibility is what can have the biggest impact on your physical security objectives, now and in the future.
EBOOK
What is an on-premises deployment?
An on-prem deployment means you store and manage all your video, access control data, and sensor information on your own servers. You’re completely in charge of your equipment and responsible for handling all maintenance and updates.
Organizations that benefit from an on-prem deployment:
- Comply with strict data regulations
- Want maximum control over data and infrastructure
- Prefer to manage system performance, maintenance, and cybersecurity in-house
- Want to leverage corporate networks or integrate with existing IT workflows
- Have the resources to manage hardware and infrastructure
- Need access to features and integrations not yet offered in the cloud
PRODUCT
What is a SaaS deployment?
A SaaS deployment means your video, access control data, and sensor information are stored and managed in the cloud by default. You can access centralized cloud software to oversee all your security tasks and manage your devices, including direct-to-cloud cameras and controllers.
You don’t manage or maintain any on-premises infrastructure, and you get all the latest cybersecurity updates pushed to your devices from the cloud.
Organizations that benefit from a SaaS deployment:
- Have a cloud-first policy
- Prioritize cybersecurity
- Want instant updates and the latest innovations
- Need to back up recordings off-site
- Want a low to no hardware footprint
PRODUCT
How does deployment flexibility give you more freedom?
Both on-prem and SaaS solutions offer distinct advantages. The real question isn’t on-premises vs. SaaS: it’s whether your system lets you choose the option that fits your needs or combine both in a centralized, hybrid deployment. This flexibility also gives you freedom to make changes as new needs arise.
For instance, you might be running applications that aren’t yet cloud-based, have sites where policies still dictate the use of on-premises infrastructure, or have site limitations such as spotty internet connectivity and low bandwidth. Whatever restrictions you’re facing, a solution with flexible deployment options can help you adapt.
What if your need for deployment flexibility goes beyond site requirements? If your organization has many sites, you may be ready to transition to the cloud—but not all at once. A hybrid-cloud deployment would let you move your on-premises systems to the cloud one by one while maintaining centralized control of all sites from a single solution.
Or maybe your organization has made significant investments in infrastructure hardware, edge devices, and IIoT sensors that aren’t cloud-ready. You might be interested in moving to a robust, sophisticated cloud solution, but divesting all existing hardware assets feels complicated or costly. In this case, you could easily transition your existing installations to the cloud using cloud-managed appliances.
CHECKLIST
How can cloud-managed appliances help you connect to the cloud?
A hybrid setup can help you modernize an older access control or video surveillance system. You can easily swap out on-premises servers for cloud-managed appliances, which connect your system to the cloud and bridge your site to your central security operations.
Adding cloud-managed appliances lets you keep existing cameras, access control readers, and other sensors. You can also streamline system maintenance through intuitive cloud-based software. You’ll get access to modern cloud-native video and access control services packed with enterprise-grade features that enhance your physical security operations.
APPLIANCE FINDER
Top benefits of cloud-managed appliances
 |
Gather business insights |
By connecting your video and access control systems to the cloud, you can gather more data, gain new operational insights, and use that intelligence to improve business outcomes.
|
Strengthen cybersecurity |
Centralized cloud connectivity makes monitoring system health easier and ensures your systems are hardened and always running at peak performance.
|
Access the latest features |
Updates and fixes are pushed from the cloud, keeping your devices secure without burdening your team with extra maintenance. You also get continuous access to innovation.
|
Optimize your resources |
Modern cloud appliances offer built-in redundancy and bandwidth optimization, helping you overcome site constraints.
|
Adapt to change |
If you adopt a full cloud solution now, you can easily go hybrid later by adding cloud-managed appliances. These devices give you extra redundancy, storage, and processing power at the edge.
Who can benefit from cloud-managed appliances? Organizations that want to:
- Increase deployment flexibility and agility
- Modernize deployments while keeping existing investments
- Manage limited bandwidth
- Preserve existing edge infrastructures and transition at their own speed
- Push storage and processing activities to the edge, using containerized workloads and custom Linux operating systems
PRODUCT
When is it best to choose on-prem, cloud, or both?
Wondering when it’s best to implement on-prem and cloud solutions? Below are a few outcome-based scenarios that show when on-premises, cloud, or hybrid deployments might be the best choice for your organization.
Scenario 1
We operate in a highly regulated industry with internal policies that require us to keep sensitive data on-site. Over the years, we’ve also invested heavily in our infrastructure and IT workflows, so it makes sense to keep using those assets as we upgrade our physical security systems. That said, we’re beginning to explore cloud benefits. Our priority is data control, but we want to stay open to the cloud in the future.
Why an on-prem deployment works: Running video, access control, and intrusion detection on local servers keeps data control and compliance requirements in check. You can also optimize system performance and cybersecurity to your standards, while making the most of existing investments and resources. Choosing a provider with both on-prem and cloud options ensures you can evolve when the time is right.
Scenario 2
We have older access control and video surveillance systems nearing end of life. We’re looking for a unified security solution, but we no longer want to manage, maintain, or procure any on-premises infrastructure hardware. There are no regulatory compliances or on-site storage requirements holding us back from that goal. We’re ready to move everything into the cloud and have the bandwidth and budget to transition fully.
Why a cloud deployment works: You can invest in direct-to-cloud cameras and access controllers, as well as a cloud solution that includes cloud-native video surveillance and access control software. All data and video from your direct-to-cloud devices will connect to a centralized and unified SaaS solution. With a full cloud setup, you outsource all the storage, maintenance, updates, and cybersecurity to the vendor. This lets you focus on enhancing security across your organization and use data to generate operational insights.
Scenario 3
We’d like to connect our older, standalone video and access control systems and centralize how we manage our physical security enterprise-wide. However, our cameras and access control readers are not cloud-ready, and some sites have server infrastructure that must stay on-premises.
Why a hybrid setup works: You can add cloud-managed appliances to the older sites and connect them all within a centralized cloud solution. You can also federate on-premises systems into the cloud solution for fully unified security management.
WEBINAR
Flexibility today means a smoother transition tomorrow
Physical security isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some organizations need the control and compliance of on-prem systems, while others want the convenience and versatility of the cloud. Choosing a platform that supports various deployment options gives you the flexibility to change things up as technology, risks, and business needs evolve.
Five tips for choosing between on-prem and cloud security
- Assess your site requirements before deciding between on-prem and cloud
- Consider a hybrid approach to keep existing hardware while modernizing physical security
- Explore cloud-managed appliances to bridge legacy systems to the cloud
- Prioritize systems that support on-prem, cloud, and hybrid options
- Invest in a flexible platform now so you can easily adapt later
Here’s the main takeaway: deployment flexibility is critical for long-term success. No matter what comes up, you should be able to preserve existing investments, modernize your physical security deployment at your own pace, and access cloud-based innovation where and when it suits you best.
