As we race toward 2025, the security industry finds itself at a crossroads. The rapid pace of technological advancements and evolving user expectations are reshaping how security solutions are designed, deployed, and utilized.
The predictable, cyclical patterns of change have condensed from years into mere months, fundamentally altering development, implementation, and use of security systems.
Expanded system functionality and the growing influence of IT are reshaping organizations’ decision-making processes, requiring the security industry to prioritize partnerships and ease of use going into 2025. This accelerated pace of innovation, coupled with evolving user demands and expectations, necessitates a forward-thinking approach to stay ahead of security threats and operational challenges.
In this article, we explore the emerging security trends for 2025 that are expected to shape the landscape in the coming year.
Importance of staying ahead of security trends
With the constant evolution of technologies, regulations, and consumer behaviors, keeping ahead of the latest security trends is critical for success.
Staying up to date with the latest security trends means having access to current techniques and technologies available to help maintain a robust security posture and uncover innovative opportunities to utilize existing systems.
Relationships and making connections are the unspoken foundation we all operate upon. We learn from each other, but importantly, spark new ideas and gain inspiration. Keeping up with evolving security trends paves the way for better ideas, creativity, and development yet to come.
At Gallagher, security industry trends research is crucial as it guides our innovation and customer-centric approach, enabling us to stay ahead of shifting needs and priorities in the security sector. By actively engaging with customers, listening to their concerns, and using research to inform product development, we build trust and foster long-lasting partnerships. This customer-centric strategy ensures we develop solutions that address real-world problems, ultimately contributing to a more secure future.
Security is becoming a hygiene factor
Security systems have a rich history primarily focused on access control - letting the right people in and keeping the wrong people out. Today, these are essential hygiene factors that keep businesses moving and critical resources protected. However, in 2025 the narrative is changing.
Today, businesses are increasingly relying on security systems to deliver broader operational benefits and leverage data for business intelligence. This shift is driving a deeper conversation about long-term security partnerships rather than just feature-based decisions.
In 2025, we can anticipate businesses to realize the hidden potential of their security systems. From time and attendance reporting to location tracking and HVAC control, security systems are becoming integral to operational efficiency. Businesses are increasingly using these systems to extract actionable intelligence, making smarter, data-informed decisions about facilities usage, access trends, and resource management.
By reimagining the potential of security systems, businesses will unlock new value and transform their operations.
Ease of use is top of mind
As security systems expand in functionality, ease of use becomes a top consideration. And, without a user-friendly interface, complex set-ups risk becoming obsolete as systems gain increased touchpoints with non-technical staff across business units.
In 2025, the need for ease of use will become a key driver for choosing a security system. This extends from installation and configuration through to support and software updates. The demand for simplicity will further accelerate the migration to cloud-based solutions, as organizations seek to streamline the management of multiple complex systems.
When choosing a security system, organizations will emphasize support, reliability, and ease of use. This people-focused approach highlights the importance of user-friendly systems in 2025 and beyond.
IT is on the rise
As corporate security trends evolve and cloud solutions, compliances, and cyber threats become more commonplace, IT departments are gaining a more important seat at the decision-making table and have strong influence over system choice. This increased influence is due to the critical role IT plays in managing these aspects, which are essential for modern business operations.
The shift to cloud-based solutions is driving greater IT involvement. While cloud migration offers benefits like greater access, control, and cost savings, it also presents challenges related to infrastructure and cybersecurity, requiring IT expertise to manage these aspects.
In 2025, the role of IT in security decisions will continue to grow, emphasizing the need for collaboration between IT and other business units to ensure holistic and effective security strategies.
There’s a need for education
As identified in our Security Industry Trends Report 2024, the need for training and education remains. Although the reasons why have changed.
Despite technological advancements, significant misconceptions and a general lack of awareness about system capabilities, emergent technologies, and cybersecurity persist among End Users. For Channel Partners, the need for training and upskilling of staff remains a critical necessity. This is essential to keep up with the evolving security landscape and to ensure that staff are well-equipped to handle new technologies and cybersecurity threats.
These findings underscore the importance of education and training in the security industry heading to 2025. Addressing knowledge gaps will enhance the effectiveness of security systems and ensure that businesses can fully leverage their capabilities.
Trust and partnership are underestimated
Another trend in the security industry is that partnership is redefining access, but not in the way we know it.
While the industry focuses on advancing technologies, End Users consistently prioritize support, trust, and partnership as their top security needs, suggesting that many security providers are underestimating the importance of building and maintaining strong relationships with their customers.
Overwhelmingly, survey participants in our Security Industry Trends Report 2025 indicated that partnership means access to technical and sales personnel, online support, product experts, training, and readily available information without booking calls. Technology is only half the equation in today’s security environment, access to people and their expertise is the other.
By prioritizing trust and partnership, security providers can better meet the needs of their customers and foster long-term relationships that drive mutual success.
Embracing the future of security
As we navigate the rapidly changing future of the security industry, businesses must remain proactive and adaptable. By staying ahead of trends in the security industry, prioritizing ease of use, involving IT in decision-making, emphasizing education and training, and building strong partnerships, organizations can create robust security strategies that address both current and future challenges.
It's clear the evolution of security is no longer about keeping up with the latest hardware and software advancements; it’s about reimagining the potential of security systems to deliver broader operational benefits, extract actionable intelligence, and transform business operations.
By embracing these security industry trends, businesses can unlock new value and ensure their security systems are not just a protective measure, but a strategic asset in their overall success.