The Security Industry Is Evolving — Here’s What’s Actually Changing
Lee M. Odess is a globally recognized strategist in physical security, best known for championing the modernization of access control. With over 18 years of experience, Lee has consistently led businesses, authored seminal industry analysis, and helped executives adopt cutting‑edge strategies. He’s also on the board of directors at Board of Directors of the Security Industry Association (SIA) and runs several media and consulting brands under The Access Control Collective (TACC).
If you’ve been paying attention to the security industry lately, you’ve probably noticed things are shifting — but it’s not always clear how. From my perspective, we’re entering a new phase where security is no longer just about doors, cameras, and credentials. It’s about business value, user experience, and smarter systems.
Let’s break down what I’m seeing across the board — and more importantly, where I believe we’re headed.
Security is evolving from “safety only” to “enablement”
For years, security conversations were stuck in technical rabbit holes — cards vs. phones, NFC vs. BLE, DVR vs. NVR. Now, finally, we’re moving past that. The real trend? Using security infrastructure to drive operational efficiency, user experience, and even revenue.
Security is becoming a strategic enabler, not just a system to reduce risk. The best companies are using their platforms to understand space utilization, streamline operations, and deliver better user experiences. That’s the kind of value creation I’ve been advocating for: security as a strategic enabler, not just a risk mitigator.
TL;DR: Security isn’t just about risk anymore — it’s also about ROI.
Systems are getting smarter through orchestration
The convergence of access control and video isn’t new, but what’s changing is how it’s being done. We’re not just piping camera feeds into dashboards. We’re combining identity data, credential behavior, and occupancy analytics to create systems that think and adapt.
The real value lives in the orchestration layer — the software layer that makes data useful. When security tech is unified around data, it becomes an engine for decision-making, not just detection.
TL;DR: Data orchestration is where the real innovation is happening — not in the hardware.
From ownership to enablement: Rethinking delivery models
We’re shifting from traditional system ownership to access as a service. Embedded access in Apple Wallet, microservices, and robust APIs are changing how systems are delivered — and who uses them.
In this new model, identity is the perimeter, and security leaders need to start thinking more like product managers: designing for UX, scalability, and long-term evolution.
TL;DR: APIs, wallets, and identity-first thinking are changing how access is delivered.
Consolidation meets chaos
Right now, the industry feels both fragmented and consolidating. You’ve got dozens of vendors chasing the same problems while private equity rolls up platforms into larger entities.
That creates confusion. Customers aren’t always sure who does what or why. Innovation risks getting swallowed by scale, and that tension is very real.
TL;DR: The market is noisy, and consolidation is making it harder — not easier — for customers to choose.
The buyer has changed — and so have their expectations
Today’s buyers aren’t just from security—they’re cross-functional. HR, IT, facilities, operations—they all have a stake now. And they expect better tools: modern design, real-time insights, and seamless deployment.
If you’re not speaking in terms of business impact, you’re not being heard. Security is becoming an organizational function, not just a physical one.
TL;DR: Modern buyers care about business outcomes, not just “stopping threats.”
AI is developing fast — but we’ve yet to realize its full potential for security.
Let’s talk about AI. It’s in every headline, but in physical security, we’re still early. The promise is real—AI can reduce manual workload, detect anomalies, and spot patterns faster than humans. But it all depends on structured data, and most systems just aren’t there yet.
Companies that start experimenting now—even in small ways—will have a head start when the curve steepens.
All in all, the security industry is entering a new phase—one where the conversation is no longer just about technology or safety. It’s about how that technology creates value. That’s where the opportunity lies, and that’s where I’m focused.
TL;DR: AI won’t take over tomorrow, but early adopters will dominate when it does.
What’s ahead: The next 6–12 months
The next year will be a reality check. Buyers are more informed and are demanding better user experience, easier integrations, transparent pricing, and real business outcomes. Legacy players will feel the heat.
Here’s what I expect:
- Open API-first platforms will outpace closed ecosystems. Open systems will move quicker, form better partnerships, and attract broader interest from IT and workplace teams, not just security.
- Mobile credentials and digital wallets will keep growing, assuming pricing and provisioning catch up.
- Automation will reduce the need to hire, shift how teams are structured, and redefine productivity. It’s not just about cutting staff, it’s a broader refactor of how work gets done and how we define productivity going forward.
- Connected solutions—not point products—will be what wins. Connected solutions that solve problems across departments, not just secure doors
This isn’t a sleepy, 5% growth industry anymore. Billions are in play. The stakes are higher, the cycles are faster, and the expectations are bigger.
TL;DR: The winners will be the ones who solve real problems across departments, not just secure the front door.
Final Thought
Security is having its moment — not just as a department, but as a driver of transformation. We’re moving into a phase where technology isn’t the end goal — value is. That’s where I’m focused. And if you’re in this space, I think you should be too.
