Healthcare Organizations Prioritize Flexible Deployment, AI, and Collaboration as Physical Security Risks Rise

Healthcare organizations are rethinking how physical security supports not only safety, but operational resilience, workforce protection, and patient experience. According to healthcare-specific findings from Genetec’s 2026 State of Physical Security Report, hospitals and health systems are prioritizing deployment flexibility, artificial intelligence, and cross-department collaboration amid a measurable increase in physical security incidents.

Based on insights from physical security professionals working in or with healthcare environments worldwide, the report highlights how security strategies are evolving in response to rising threats, staffing challenges, and aging infrastructure.

Hybrid-cloud deployment remains central to healthcare resilience

Hybrid-cloud deployment models continue to dominate healthcare security strategies, reflecting the sector’s need for flexibility, control, and long-term adaptability. Nearly six in ten respondents cited continuous updates and software upgrades as the primary driver for adopting cloud or hybrid systems, followed by cost savings and faster deployment timelines.

Disaster recovery and data ownership also ranked high, underscoring healthcare’s regulatory complexity and the operational risks associated with downtime.

“Healthcare organizations are taking a measured, strategic approach to modernization,” said Dale Martin, Key Account Manager, Healthcare at Genetec. “Flexible deployment options support long-term planning and goals while allowing organizations to adapt as operational and clinical needs evolve.”

For many health systems, hybrid models offer a pragmatic path forward—modernizing without sacrificing control over sensitive data or disrupting mission-critical workflows.

Workforce constraints shape modernization priorities

The report reveals that security modernization is increasingly constrained by workforce realities. Training and upskilling staff was identified as the top challenge for healthcare organizations, followed closely by aging IT infrastructure and difficulty attracting and retaining talent.

These pressures are influencing how healthcare organizations set priorities. Rather than pursuing standalone technology upgrades, many are focusing on solutions that simplify operations, reduce manual workloads, and integrate more seamlessly with existing systems.

Looking ahead to 2026, access control emerged as the top planned investment area, followed by AI and video surveillance. The emphasis reflects a shift toward proactive security models that can scale without requiring proportional increases in staff.

AI adoption accelerates across physical security operations

Artificial intelligence is moving from experimentation to operational necessity in healthcare security environments. Nearly half of respondents plan to leverage AI to streamline security processes, signaling growing confidence in AI-driven tools for monitoring, analysis, and response.

AI-enabled security systems can help identify patterns, reduce false alarms, and surface actionable insights faster—capabilities that are particularly valuable in healthcare settings where security teams are often stretched thin and incidents can escalate quickly.

At the same time, the report highlights growing collaboration between physical security teams and other departments, including human resources and facilities management. This reflects a broader understanding that security is no longer siloed, but deeply connected to workforce safety, compliance, and day-to-day operations.

Physical security incidents continue to rise in healthcare settings

The urgency behind these investments is clear. Healthcare organizations reported significant increases in physical security incidents over the past year, including physical attacks on employees, verbal assaults, unauthorized entry, break-ins, and insider theft.

These trends mirror broader concerns across the healthcare sector around workplace violence, access control challenges, and the need to better protect frontline staff. As incidents increase, health systems are under pressure to respond faster and with greater situational awareness.

Security operations become increasingly data-centric

To address rising risks, healthcare organizations are expanding how security data is shared and used across the enterprise. More than half of respondents are now sending access activity data from security operations centers to other systems, while many also share alarms, incident data, and video or audio information.

At the same time, security operations centers are ingesting data from cybersecurity tools, asset monitoring systems, HR platforms, and external threat intelligence sources. This bidirectional flow of information reflects a convergence of physical security, cybersecurity, and operational intelligence.

Rather than serving solely as a reactive function, physical security is becoming an integrated data source that supports broader organizational awareness and decision-making.

Physical security data supports operational and experience goals

Healthcare organizations are increasingly using physical security data to drive outcomes beyond traditional safety metrics. The top objectives cited include improving safety and security, increasing operational efficiency within security teams, supporting regulatory compliance, and enhancing employee and patient experience.

Many organizations are also leveraging security data for occupancy management and space utilization, supporting broader operational efficiency efforts across departments.

As healthcare organizations face mounting pressures—from workforce shortages to rising violence and tighter budgets—the role of physical security continues to expand. The findings from Genetec’s 2026 report suggest that flexible architectures, AI-driven insights, and cross-functional collaboration will be essential to building safer, more resilient healthcare environments.