Modernizing physical security no longer necessarily involves choosing between on-premises systems or completely cloud solutions. According to Genetec’s State of Physical Security 2026 report, hybrid cloud deployments continue to gain traction among organizations, growing from 43% to 45% year-over-year, while fully on-premises configurations fell from 49% to 48%.
This change reflects an increasingly clear trend in recent years towards hybrid cloud models. Companies want to take advantage of the advantages of the cloud, but without losing control over their data, their infrastructure or their adoption times. In industries with multiple locations, regulatory requirements, or prior hardware investments, full migration to the cloud is not always feasible or necessary, reinforcing interest in hybrid cloud.
In this context, Genetec points out the prominent role of cloud-managed appliances as an intermediate way to modernize physical security systems in a gradual, flexible and controlled way within hybrid cloud environments. “The cloud does not have to imply a break with everything that already works. For many organizations, the challenge is to move forward without losing operational control or replacing investments that are still valid,” explains Rafael Martín, Sales Director, Southern Europe, Genetec. “Appliances managed from the cloud allow new capabilities to be adopted where they add value, while maintaining local infrastructure when the business, regulation or operation requires it, something key in hybrid cloud strategies.”
Modernize without starting from scratch
One of the main obstacles to cloud adoption in physical security is the fear of having to replace cameras, access control readers, sensors or other devices already installed. Cloud-managed appliances respond precisely to this barrier within a hybrid cloud approach, as they allow existing infrastructure to be connected to native cloud services without the need to undertake a complete system replacement.
This approach is especially useful in organizations with distributed environments and hybrid cloud strategies. For example, a corporate headquarters, a remote warehouse, or a new branch may have very different needs for connectivity, storage, maintenance, or regulatory compliance. With a hybrid cloud model, each location can evolve at its own pace: some can continue to operate on-premises, while others add cloud capabilities when it makes operational sense to do so.
Additionally, this type of hybrid cloud architecture makes it easy to connect multiple sites to a centralized security operations platform, allowing you to maintain a unified view even in organizations with dozens or hundreds of locations.
Cybersecurity accelerates cloud adoption
Pressure on IT teams is also driving this shift towards hybrid cloud models. Keeping physical security systems up to date requires managing patches, firmware, vulnerabilities, and maintenance cycles across a growing number of devices and locations. As these systems become more connected to corporate networks, cybersecurity becomes a critical factor within any hybrid cloud strategy.
The Genetec report indicates that automatic updates have been the main reason for end users to adopt cloud-based solutions for two consecutive years. Along with this, organizations value ease of deployment and simplification of maintenance as key benefits, especially when integrated into hybrid cloud models.
Appliances managed from the cloud respond precisely to this barrier within a hybrid cloud approach
Cloud-managed appliances help reduce that burden by centralizing security updates and patches, avoiding unnecessary travel to each location, and facilitating access to new features as they become available within hybrid cloud environments. At the same time, many of these devices incorporate backup and resiliency capabilities to protect recordings and critical information from potential hardware failures.
In short, for Genetec, the advance towards the cloud in physical security should not be understood as a single and irreversible migration, but as a progressive evolution towards the hybrid cloud. Cloud-managed appliances let you decide what to move, when, and where, keeping options open as business needs change in a hybrid cloud model.
