Moving an application to the cloud is often discussed as though there is a clear destination: workloads either reside there or they don’t. Physical security complicates that equation.
A single security environment can include cameras processing analytics in real time, video that needs to be stored or accessed according to specific requirements, devices operating in bandwidth-constrained spots, and systems that need to be managed across hundreds or even thousands of sites. Where each of those functions happens can have implications for security, latency, bandwidth, storage, cost, and regulatory compliance.
That’s why the cloud should be considered less of a destination for physical security and more of an architectural choice. Organizations can determine which capabilities benefit most from cloud connectivity while keeping data and processing at the edge or on premises when the use case demands it.
Adoption trends suggest IT leaders are exploring that balance. According to the Axis Perspectives 2026 Report, only 27% of IT leaders currently use the cloud for physical security, while 44% expect to do so over the next two years. Driving that interest: increased visibility, simplified management, and improved scalability.
“Cloud is no longer just about storing video data or enabling remote configuration,” says Patrik Pettersson, a strategic advisor at Axis Communications. “It’s about stronger collaboration between manufacturers, system integrators, and end users. Many organizations desire managed services that proactively manage their systems. SaaS foundations from manufacturers will be critical to making that happen.”
Secure-by-design devices are key to this shift, with modern network devices now incorporating secure software, secure hardware, and zero-trust principles. Cloud-enabled fleet management platforms are another important driver, with capabilities including real-time monitoring, automated remote patching and updates, and superior control for system owners.
Many organizations, Pettersson says, are opting for a hybrid cloud model for their physical security environment. These architectures often include on-premises systems that help organizations comply with data regulations, edge analytics for real-time detection and classification, and cloud orchestration for updates and enhanced intelligence across the system.
“Not all solutions are cookie-cutter,” Pettersson notes. “Any given customer may have high-risk environments that cannot possibly be connected to the public cloud. I would venture to say that extremely few security applications are 100% cloud. In fact, even the most ‘cloud-ready’ solutions sold today typically store data on-premises, with orchestration and usage via cloud interfaces. So, the primary deployment even in a ‘cloud solution’ today, is actually hybrid.”
Building and maintaining a hybrid cloud environment for physical security devices requires deep technical expertise, including familiarity with planning, deploying, and supporting such systems, Pettersson says. He notes that single-vendor solutions are often simpler but more limited in features, whereas multivendor solutions are typically more complex but may be a better fit for an organization’s exact use case. Many organizations, he says, turn to skilled system integrators for help with architecting, operating, and maintaining their hybrid cloud environments.
Organizations that embrace a hybrid environment, Pettersson says, often reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) of their physical security environment, achieve visibility and standardization across all their physical security devices, and enable the sort of scalability needed for growth and innovation. Ultimately, he says, the hybrid cloud leads to a stronger cybersecurity posture, with less operational strain.
“The hybrid cloud creates a shared responsibility for the system that includes the manufacturer more than ever,” Pettersson says. “We see a giant shift — moving from reactive maintenance agreements that address issues when something breaks to system integrators informing the customer after they have already fixed the issue.”
The value of a hybrid approach is that it gives organizations the flexibility to decide where cloud and on-premises capabilities can deliver the most value.
That distinction is especially important in physical security, where requirements can vary significantly across devices, locations, and use cases. Some environments may benefit from cloud-based management and system-wide intelligence. Others require local storage, edge processing, or greater isolation. Those needs can also change as an organization grows, regulations evolve, and new capabilities become available.
Organizations can approach cloud adoption as an ongoing infrastructure decision. The right hybrid environment is one that allows security, data, and workloads to reside where they make the most sense today without limiting where they can go tomorrow.