As organizations navigate an increasingly complex threat landscape, security leaders are making strategic shifts toward unified platforms and emerging technologies, according to the newly released 2025 State of Security and Identity Report from HID. The comprehensive study gathered responses from 1,800 partners, end users, and security and IT personnel worldwide, revealing a significant transformation in how businesses are approaching security, with mobile credentials and artificial intelligence emerging as key drivers of innovation.
“The security industry is at a pivotal moment where the integration of modern technology with existing infrastructure is no longer optional—it’s imperative.”
Ramesh Songukrishnasamy, Senior Vice President of Engineering at HID.
Key Findings from the Report:
- Rise in Mobile Credentials and Biometrics: The report indicates a significant shift away from traditional access methods, with 61% of security leaders identifying the proliferation of mobile credentials as a top trend. Nearly two-thirds are either deploying or planning to deploy mobile solutions. Additionally, about 35% of respondents currently use biometric technologies such as fingerprint, iris, and facial recognition, with 13% planning to adopt them, signaling substantial growth potential in this segment.
- Demand for Unified Security Management: As organizations diversify their security technologies, 67% of security leaders are moving toward software-driven solutions. Furthermore, 73% consider unifying multiple data collection methodologies as “somewhat” or “very important” to their organization.
- Preference for Open Platforms: Interoperability remains a priority, with more than half of security professionals rating open solutions as “extremely” or “very” important to their organizations.
- Shift Toward Converged Platform Solutions: Nearly two-thirds of organizations and 73% of integrators and consultants report a move toward software-driven security solutions that integrate functions like video surveillance, access control, and intrusion detection into a unified platform.
- Channel Transformation Driven by Digital Innovation: The security channel is undergoing significant changes due to digital innovation. While 77% of channel partners believe they are adapting well, growing end-user demand for AI, cloud solutions, IoT integration, and advanced analytics is reshaping service expectations.
- Adoption of AI Agents: AI agents are being rapidly adopted to enhance security operations, with use cases proliferating across access control, identity management, video, and security management platforms. Key benefits cited include improved efficiency and speed of security processes (50%) and enhanced real-time data analysis capabilities (47%).
- Emphasis on Sustainability: Sustainability remains a key factor in security decision-making, with 75% of security leaders factoring it into their solution selection process. However, security and cost-effectiveness remain the highest priorities for 80% of integrators and consultants.
