What 2025 Tells Us About The Future of Physical Security

With technology and security completely intertwined, it’s no surprise that the last few years have brought massive change in the security space. This year’s ISC West Tradeshow and PSA TEC conference shed light on key areas of development in the industry and highlighted the ways we might see change in the coming years. The GSX Tradeshow will be here before you know it and we're looking forward to more exciting product advancements. Here’s where we see the industry heading.

Takeoff for NFC and Mobile Credentials

One of the most exciting developments illustrated at the event pertains to access control. Near-field communication (NFC) credentials are finally becoming affordable and accessible for organizations of all sizes. 

Thanks to new collaboration in the market across cell phone manufacturers, the cost of issuing mobile credentials has dropped significantly—from around $25 per user per year to as low as $6–$12 per user per year. That shift is opening the door for widespread adoption.

On a more widespread basis than ever, employees can now use their smartphones or smartwatches to enter buildings, eliminating the need for physical cards and the confusion of Bluetooth credentials. The benefits go beyond convenience as accessible NFC means:

• Improved security: People are much less likely to lend out or misplace their phones compared to access cards.
• Operational efficiency: No more time lost issuing temporary badges when someone forgets their card.
• Future-ready infrastructure: NFC aligns with the broader shift toward mobile-first workplace experiences.
• Smoother entry experiences: Instead of fumbling through a wallet or grappling with a lanyard, authorized personnel can simply hold out their phone — which was probably in their hand already, anyway.

It’s exciting to see the immediate changes that these market collaborations have triggered for physical security.

AI’s Trajectory

Many of the manufacturers present at PSA TEC highlighted plans to integrate AI and machine learning into their solutions. The industry is investing heavily in AI development, and it’s easy to understand why. With significant upside in terms of cost savings, accuracy, and efficiency once these tools are fully developed, AI deserves the spotlight it’s getting. 

Still, the event shed more light on the ways in which most current use cases for AI in security are still narrowly focused. Today, AI in security is mainly being applied to video surveillance. It can help track individuals across multiple cameras in real time, flag specific behaviors, and enable smarter searches for items or people. These capabilities are already changing the game for investigations and threat detection.

At the same time, the big opportunity hasn’t been realized yet: tying AI into broader business processes. In other industries, AI is being used creatively to drive efficiency, customer experience, and revenue. In security, there’s still a gap. It will take time and innovation beyond traditional scope and industry boundaries to reach the full potential of AI in security.

The Cloud’s Pull

Cloud adoption got plenty of airtime at ISC West and PSA TEC as well. In past years, we’ve seen that while most business systems (like HR, finance, and CRM) have moved to the cloud, physical security has lagged behind. 

That’s changing. More organizations are starting to push their security infrastructure, especially access control and video, toward cloud-hosted solutions. Businesses need scalable, remotely managed systems and they see the upside of AI, which performs best when it can access and analyze vast amounts of data in the cloud.

Though attitudes toward cloud security are shifting, the transition isn’t simple. Legacy hardware still dominates many organizations, and most cloud-native solutions require upgraded devices. We’re seeing many companies choosing to adopt cloud solutions in new facilities first, rather than ripping and replacing their entire infrastructure. In many cases, businesses wait until it’s time for an update or upgrade on hardware anyway, then make their shift to the cloud.

The momentum is building. IT teams that have already moved core systems to the cloud are advocating for security departments to do the same, which will usher in a more connected and efficient era of security. 

The security industry is evolving, with many players figuring out how to translate technology into real business outcomes. The next wave of innovation won’t just be about smarter cameras or better readers. It’ll be about tying security into the broader fabric of the business—streamlining operations, supporting compliance, and enhancing the overall user experience.

For organizations planning their next steps, now is the time to assess infrastructure, explore pilot programs, and build a roadmap that aligns with where the industry is headed. The future of security is more connected, more intelligent, and more mobile than ever before.

To bring your business up to speed and reap the benefits of each of these developments, work with the Security Control Integrators team on a custom plan. Book your call today.