Comparisons can be useful – not in a vague sense, but in the very real way product launches, regulation, AI maturity and deployment strategies have shifted over the past 12 months. In our end-of-the-year, 2025 in Focus articles, we’ve spoken to manufacturers who are rethinking cloud architecture altogether, seen integrators push harder for open systems, and heard end users finally talk about AI in terms of outcomes rather than novelty. With that in mind, 2026 doesn’t feel like a reset, but a continuation of trends that have gained real traction throughout 2025.
Genetec’s predictions align closely with what we’ve been hearing across the industry. Rather than broad forecasts, they touch on decisions being made in control rooms, estates teams and security operations today – where budgets are scrutinised, legacy infrastructure still has a job to do, and flexibility increasingly determines technology value. The points below reflect their view of the year ahead.
Choice and flexibility in cloud deployment
Cloud adoption is moving away from all-or-nothing thinking. Many organisations are now mixing on-prem, hybrid and cloud workloads to suit performance, cost or compliance requirements. Genetec expects this to define 2026, with open architecture allowing users to integrate the systems they already trust, while adopting cloud where it clearly adds value.
Intelligent automation instead of AI hype
AI talk is becoming more grounded. According to Genetec, intelligent automation will be the tangible evolution – less theoretical promise, more task-level impact. Faster investigations, fewer false alarms, and better prioritisation are areas where operators are already seeing gains. But transparency will matter just as much as capability, with users demanding clarity on how data is processed and protected.
Access control accelerates into modernisation
Upgrading access control is now tied directly to operational ROI. Hybrid ACaaS models are expected to grow, allowing organisations to modernise without ripping out existing infrastructure. Mobile credentials and biometrics continue to gain traction, particularly where convenience and user-controlled identity are priorities.
Connected systems reshape operational awareness
More devices, more context, and more expectation around unified visibility. Genetec predicts that the convergence between IT, OT and physical security will tighten, improving response and situational understanding. Unified platforms capable of handling diverse devices securely will be key, particularly for organisations scaling multi-site estates.
These aren’t abstract trends – they’re conversations we’ve already been having throughout the year. If 2025 was about testing the edges of what AI, cloud and interoperability could offer, 2026 looks poised for a more deliberate, applied phase of adoption.