Survey: Only 7 Percent of Business Leaders Using AI in Physical Security

A new survey from Pro-Vigil looks at video surveillance trends, how AI is impacting physical security, and more.

Turning to AI

Generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot have gained popularity among the masses in recent years. What many business leaders still don’t realize is that AI is also hard at work behind the scenes of physical security solutions like remote video monitoring (RVM) services, helping spot suspicious activity and speed up the detection and response process vital to keeping them secure.

The State of Physical Security Entering 2025 report showed that while an education and adoption gap still exists, businesses are catching on. Only 7% of business leaders polled said they are using AI in their physical security strategy, while 36% believe AI can be a useful tool in stopping these incidents from taking place. 36% may not be a majority, but it’s up 7% from last year’s report, showing the gap is beginning to close as businesses continue investing in physical security solutions and technologies that can result in real business benefits far beyond security alone.

Video Surveillance Reigns Supreme

In the face of rising crime, Pro-Vigil took a step back and asked respondents what strategies they are deploying to combat thieves and vandals. Respondents indicated installing video surveillance cameras as their number one change made (47%) – the top answer every year the survey has been conducted.

Additionally, 45% said they use RVM services – and not just for security. Many respondents report using video monitoring for purposes beyond security including monitoring worksite conditions (39%), customer/employee liability incidents (24%), and employee performance (22%) rounding out the top three use cases.

Security Survey Results

In conducting the survey for The State of Physical Security report, Pro-Vigil polled more than 160 business leaders across a variety of industries to understand how their physical security challenges and strategies evolved in 2024, as well as their outlook for 2025. Additional findings include:

  • 91% of respondents said physical security incidents increased or stayed the same in 2024, with12% of that total reporting an increase.
  • Rising local crime (23%) and the state of the economy (15%) were the top two reasons companies believe incidents increased.
  • Looking ahead to 2025, nearly a quarter (23%) of respondents believe incidents will increase in the year ahead, with 64% predicting they will stay the same.

To check out the 2025 results, download the full State of Physical Security Entering 2025 report now.

Featured

  • Report: 47 Percent of Security Service Providers Are Not Yet Using AI or Automation Tools

    Trackforce, a provider of security workforce management platforms, today announced the launch of its 2025 Physical Security Operations Benchmark Report, an industry-first study that benchmarks both private security service providers and corporate security teams side by side. Based on a survey of over 300 security professionals across the globe, the report provides a comprehensive look at the state of physical security operations. Read Now

    • Guard Services
  • Identity Governance at the Crossroads of Complexity and Scale

    Modern enterprises are grappling with an increasing number of identities, both human and machine, across an ever-growing number of systems. They must also deal with increased operational demands, including faster onboarding, more scalable models, and tighter security enforcement. Navigating these ever-growing challenges with speed and accuracy requires a new approach to identity governance that is built for the future enterprise. Read Now

  • Eagle Eye Networks Launches AI Camera Gun Detection

    Eagle Eye Networks, a provider of cloud video surveillance, recently introduced Eagle Eye Gun Detection, a new layer of protection for schools and businesses that works with existing security cameras and infrastructure. Eagle Eye Networks is the first to build gun detection into its platform. Read Now

  • Report: AI is Supercharging Old-School Cybercriminal Tactics

    AI isn’t just transforming how we work. It’s reshaping how cybercriminals attack, with threat actors exploiting AI to mass produce malicious code loaders, steal browser credentials and accelerate cloud attacks, according to a new report from Elastic. Read Now

  • Pragmatism, Productivity, and the Push for Accountability in 2025-2026

    Every year, the security industry debates whether artificial intelligence is a disruption, an enabler, or a distraction. By 2025, that conversation matured, where AI became a working dimension in physical identity and access management (PIAM) programs. Observations from 2025 highlight this turning point in AI’s role in access control and define how security leaders are being distinguished based on how they apply it. Read Now

New Products

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.