SECURITY TECHNOLOGY GUIDE: INDUSTRY TRENDS FOR 2023

Physical security has always been top of mind for those overseeing operations for offices and other commercial buildings. From preventing crime to ensuring a better overall experience, advancements in security technologies now make it easier than ever to effectively protect both residential and commercial properties. 

However, cybercrime remains a global issue that is a driving force in the security trends of 2023. Shockingly, phishing attacks now account for 36% of data breaches, alongside stolen credentials and ransomware. As we continue to see more connected devices, artificial intelligence and IoT technologies in security, protecting data in transit and at rest is a goal that will shape the future of security technology.

Unfortunately, many businesses fail to sufficiently protect themselves from both physical security and cybersecurity threats. According to the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, cyberattacks cost commercial businesses in the U.S. from $394,000 to $19.9 million per incident. 

The good news is that there are many ways to mitigate risk with cutting-edge security technologies. Implementing a combination of physical security, cybersecurity technologies and IT security technologies can provide a much-needed layer of protection from damaging breaches and threats. 

While there is no ​‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to security and every company has different needs, new high-tech security trends can help businesses find new ways to protect their assets and find solutions to their most pressing security challenges.

What is security technology?

Before looking at the emerging security technology trends of 2023, it’s important to understand how this sector differs from others. Security tech refers to the components and policies used to protect data, property and assets. Security technology helps mitigate risk by preventing unauthorized access, identifying potential incidents, allowing fast responses, deterring criminal behavior and capturing crucial evidence in the event that a breach occurs.

Advanced security technologies can be used to secure physical assets as well as electronic data, both onsite and remotely.

In order to protect yourself and your business from security breaches, it is imperative to understand how the security in technology components of your systems can strengthen or weaken your other strategies. Physical security technology examples include: 

• Electronic and wireless locks
• Access control and intrusion detection 
• Credentials including key cards, fobs and mobile devices 
• Security cameras with AI analytics 
• Environmental and motion sensors 
• Alarm and emergency systems

Once you understand which security technology is needed for your business, you can better assess emerging security technologies and trends to see what advancements are needed to bolster your systems.

What are examples of cybersecurity technologies? 

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, businesses must remain up to date with the current trends in cybersecurity and emerging trends in cybersecurity to adequately safeguard their data and operations. The future of cybersecurity is full of potential, but organizations must take proactive steps to ensure their data is safe and secure. 

Cybersecurity technology helps defend business networks, data and devices from malicious attacks and fraudulent activity. Network, application and information technologies all play an important role in how effective a cybersecurity strategy is. Common cybersecurity technology examples include: 

• Encryption 
• Ransomware detection 
• Spyware monitoring
• IT security analytics 

In the past, cybersecurity technology trends were limited to new versions of antivirus and firewall software. However, the information and cybersecurity trends of 2023 point to more robust solutions equipped with artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Understanding how information security technology works

Data security technology and IT security technology are types of cybersecurity practices and systems that protect information and networks from unauthorized access or disruption. This sector relies on both physical and cybersecurity measures and is composed of a wide range of system control and protective measures that are used to safeguard critical information and infrastructure.

Effective information security technologies should detect and prevent unauthorized access to data, protect the integrity of the data and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. In addition, they should protect against data alteration or destruction. Generally speaking, the goal is to ensure that only authorized users have access to specific data, and that the data itself is protected from corruption.

Examples of information security technologies and policies include: 

• Network segmentation 
• Firewalls 
• Anti-malware software 
• Data loss prevention software
• Password protection and authentication

Ultimately, information security technologies provide a multi-faceted approach that requires the use of specialized technologies and well-defined policies. 

What factors are influencing the 2023 security technology trends?

When it comes to recognizing security industry trends, there are always certain factors that will drive what’s popular. Most often, security technology trends are driven by the latest vulnerabilities. No business wants to fall victim to a known hack, or fail to stop a theft due to outdated security tech. 

That being said, the security technology trends of 2023 also reflect new ways organizations conduct their business. Economic and social trends often change people’s expectations of how and when they work, which can drive exponential advancements in security technology. 

The top three factors influencing the 2023 security technology trends are: 

• Hybrid and remote work creating dispersed and decentralized teams 
• Shift to information security technologies with zero-trust network access
• Increased adoption of cloud-based security technologies

With a workforce that’s more global and flexible, it’s vital that businesses adopt information and physical security technology that’s just as agile, without sacrificing ease of use or level of protection. To find out how businesses are balancing security and technology, let’s advance to look at what technology ranks highest on the industry’s 2023 trend list. 

Top security technology trends of 2023

You may be familiar with some of the latest physical security technologies, as they tend to play a major role in day-to-day life. Many office spaces and commercial buildings feature a number of physical security technologies. Security cameras and alarm systems are some of the most common security technology examples, but there are some additional tech trends appearing within modern physical security systems technology, including:

1. Cloud security

The cloud has revolutionized the way businesses store and share information. As one of the leading security trends in 2023, cloud computing is facilitating streamlined multi-site management, integrated security technology solutions and enabling fully remote security operations. 

While the explosion of cloud security trends has helped businesses accommodate flexible and hybrid work models, it also comes with its own set of risks. As businesses rely more heavily on cloud storage for their security technologies and devices, it’s essential that they strengthen their security measures to protect against threats such as data loss and hacking. Implementing cloud-based security solutions technology, such as intrusion detection systems, remote access control and advanced data encryption, can be crucial in ensuring a business’s information is secure and well-protected. 

2. Artificial intelligence and machine learning

Within the next few years, we can expect to see some major shifts and emerging top trends in physical and cybersecurity technologies. While initial adoption of security technologies with these capabilities was slow, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are now a crucial element of ensuring the global security of business operations and customer data. 

AI technologies can detect network traffic and data anomalies, as well as monitor user behaviors for any suspicious activity from both a cyber and physical security level. The industry is already seeing massive leaps in the accuracy and reliability of video cameras equipped with AI analytics. With this intelligent technology, security systems can accurately detect and identify people, vehicles and objects, as well as pinpoint their locations and enable forensic search faster than ever before.

Machine learning, on the other hand, is an important component of new information security technology. By continuously monitoring the network and system configurations for suspicious activity and providing an automated response to any threats detected, security teams can stay informed in real-time of potential incidents. This 2023 cyber and physical security trend is one to watch because the main benefit of machine learning is that the technology only gets faster and more accurate with time. 

3. Real-time occupancy data

While this security technology trend first made the list during the peak of the pandemic for its ability to report the number of people in a space, the tech has evolved to become a vital data stream in operations and decision making. 

Using real-time data from occupancy sensors, property owners and business leaders can get a better understanding of peak attendance and office usage to optimize scheduling and business operations. From multi-tenant commercial spaces to large retail outlets, understanding traffic flows and occupancy can help leaders make decisions and create better experiences on their properties. 

Occupancy is also a data point that can help make workplaces safer and more secure. Security technology equipped with occupancy counting can assist in mustering during an emergency, as well as provide important information for security audits to refine emergency procedures or security strategies in line with changing occupancy trends. 

4. Migration to mobile security technology

Access control has frequently been mentioned in security technology trend lists, with recent developments including better encryption for key cards, capacitive touch security technology for keypad readers and enhanced remote management capabilities. In 2023, security trends for access systems are showing even more companies are moving to mobile solutions. 

Why is mobile technology topping the security industry trends of 2023? One of the key benefits of using mobile apps and smartphones for access is security. Key cards and fobs are easy to lose, PIN codes are easy to share or guess and many traditional systems have known vulnerabilities. In contrast, mobile phones have built-in security that prevents credentials stored inside them from being easily compromised, and people are more likely to take action if their phone is stolen or missing. Even in high-security scenarios, smartphone credentials are more increasingly accepted as a viable and secure entry method. 

Another benefit driving this security industry trend is ease of use. Most mobile systems are managed in the cloud, giving operators greater flexibility in issuing, revoking and adjusting user permissions. In addition, people find mobile systems easy to operate. Either tapping a button in an app, or by using touchless access options, mobile-based access control is convenient, fast and generally reliable. 

As mobile adoption continues to increase, the future trends in technology will include even more advancements for mobile-based systems, making them even more secure and interoperable with other building systems. 

5. AI video analytics

In 2023, artificial intelligence surged to the forefront with new technology like ChatGPT and generative AI becoming mainstream, and we cannot ignore its implications on the future of security. 

The security industry is experiencing a surge in demand for artificial intelligence (AI) in cameras and comprehensive physical security systems. While AI cameras are already being used in various applications, new advancements in this technology for security is making AI more valuable for businesses that previously felt they didn’t need it. The latest AI security technology for cameras can accurately recognize abnormal behavior and differentiate between people, vehicles and objects, generating location and movement data, as well as sending automatic alerts to keep teams more informed. 

AI security technologies are also being used in smart sensors to help property owners identify vaping incidents in schools, broken glass and gunshots, with sound detection analytics helping determine where the incident is taking place. The real benefit of this 2023 security industry trend comes from integrating AI-powered devices and systems for centralized management of the entire building or enterprise within a single platform.

Because these future-forward devices leverage incredible amounts of data to analyze complex and changing elements of their environments, the longer they are active, the more accurately they can identify potential security threats. However, all this data in the wrong hands could prove to be a serious problem. That’s why another security technology trend in 2023 to watch is how cyber and physical security teams are leveraging AI technology to proactively monitor networks, modernize security auditing, optimize monitoring systems and inform threat prevention strategies.

6. More applications for biometrics

Biometric access control is rapidly becoming the security measure of choice for many organizations, as this security tech is more secure and efficient than traditional password-based and key card solutions. As the technology advances, biometrics are expected to play an important role in the emerging security technologies of 2023. Biometric access control systems use an individual’s unique biological characteristics to authenticate and grant access to a secure area. Most commonly, this is done through fingerprint and sophisticated facial recognition technology using AI cameras and scanners. Most people are already familiar with this technology in security for their smart devices and phones, and it is increasingly popular as a form of access control for buildings and workplaces. 

While biometric security technologies were previously very expensive and limited to high-risk applications like research facilities, government buildings and financial institutions, advancements and greater competition in the space has led to more mainstream applications, which is why it’s a leading 2023 security industry trend. 

In the future of security technology and industry trends, we expect biometric access and authentication to continue gaining steam for more applications, including unlocking office doors, timekeeping and network logins. In the past, passwords were used to protect customer data; however, passwords are increasingly being replaced with biometric authentication. This authentication method is more secure than passwords and can drastically reduce the risk of data breaches and hacks, especially when used as a method of multi-factor authentication.

7. Integrated and unified security technology 

The security technology landscape is constantly evolving, and one of the ways today’s companies are staying ahead of the latest threats is by unifying their security tech. Leveraging full-building and security technology integration is a 2023 industry trend that continues to drive new innovation in three key categories:

Securing the interior 

While previously many buildings only used advanced access control to secure their main entrances, a driving trend in 2023 security technology is the ability to extend those systems through the entire property and building. Today’s wireless lock technology in security systems is more powerful and flexible than ever, with remote functionality, contactless credentials and fully auditable entry activity. 

Integrating a wireless lock into a security system allows for greater control and flexibility when addressing an organization’s security needs. Due to the ease of set-up and scalability, wireless locks extend security beyond the front door, with integrated systems offering the full suite of user permission settings, scheduling options, cloud-based management and alerting features of the building’s access control platform.

Unifying access and video surveillance systems 

In the future of security technology, visual verification is now a crucial component for access systems. By investing in fully unified access and video security technology, organizations have a more holistic view of their entire operations, with visual logs of entry activity and the ability to verify and respond with greater certainty. 

The 2023 security trend of cloud-based tech further enhances unified security systems, allowing operators to respond to alerts from anywhere, at any time. Remote management of unified systems is a key factor of this 2023 security trend, as more businesses decentralize their security operations in favor of more agile and hybrid configurations.

Built-in technologies

The final 2023 trend in emerging security technologies lies in the hardware itself. Comparing security technology products from just a few years ago to what is available today, it’s clear that companies value the ability to do more with less. All-in-one devices and systems with built-in features are becoming more common, allowing property owners to install fewer devices but still get the same level of security and technology. 

For example, instead of installing an access reader, a security camera and an intercom device at the front door, all-in-one video intercom systems now combine all these functions into a single device.

8. Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

As more companies depend on dispersed networks and cloud-connected technology for security, the need to keep that data out of the wrong hands is driving this 2023 security industry trend. 

MFA is an increasingly popular security measure that requires using more than one credential to verify a user’s identity. This typically involves using a combination of user credentials, one-time codes and biometric data. MFA is becoming increasingly popular with businesses of all sizes, as it provides an additional layer of security against hackers, who must now go through multiple steps before accessing sensitive data.

This type of security technology is also becoming more commonplace for accessing physical spaces. Traditional systems required users to scan a key card, present an ID badge to a security guard or interact with two different readers (such as a keypad and RFID reader) to verify their identity. In 2023, trends point toward multi-technology security systems that can support all MFA credentials on a single device. This way, a user can scan their key card or mobile ID badge, and type in a unique PIN code on one reader. Not only does this mean fewer devices to install, it’s also much more convenient for users. 

9. User behavior analytics

User and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) is a trend gaining significant attention in the security industry, given its ability to detect even the most sophisticated threats. Using machine learning algorithms, UEBA can detect any unusual behavior from users, applications and networks, and alert teams to potential dangers in real-time. 

How does this impact technology and security for businesses? By understanding how users interact with systems, businesses can quickly identify and remediate any threats before they cause any damage. An advancement from UBA systems that only analyzed user behavior, UEBA systems are an important trend in the 2023 cybersecurity technology industry, offering more complex reporting and greater capacity to spot anomalous behavior based on additional data and improved pattern recognition.

10. Emerging information security technology for data protection

As data security technology becomes more important than ever, IT security is a technology trend to watch in 2023. With the rise of cloud computing, businesses increasingly rely on cloud-based solutions for data storage and computing resources to assist their workflow. As a result, there is a growing demand for security solutions that provide comprehensive protection for cloud systems. When it comes to bolstering security solutions, technology designed for the cloud will be paramount in helping businesses ensure their applications across the entire workforce are secure.

Additionally, the future of security technology will see organizations implementing more robust identity and access management (IAM) solutions. As a 2023 security trend, IAM solutions are advancing and streamlining how organizations limit who has access to their resources, networks and data.

Information security technologies such as blockchain are also gaining traction, as the decentralized ledgers provide enhanced security measures, such as distributed consensus and encryption. As a 2023 cybersecurity trend, blockchain has the potential to revolutionize the way data is stored and managed by utilizing cryptographic keys to make it virtually impossible for unauthorized users to gain access to data stored on the platform. 

Finally, organizations should also be prepared for the rising sophistication of cyber-attacks in 2023. As cyber-attacks continue to grow in complexity, effective security solutions must be able to detect and mitigate these digital threats. Companies should utilize various technologies, such as endpoint protection and network security, to protect their systems and data from these threats.

The future of security technology trends

Organizations need to be proactive in protecting their data from an ever-expanding range of threats. Understanding the latest physical security, cybersecurity and information security technology trends is an important step any organization can take in safeguarding its assets. While investing in physical security measures helps control access to a company’s premises, cybersecurity measures help guard against malicious hacking attempts and data breaches. 

Businesses need to be constantly aware of the ever-changing risks associated with both physical and cybersecurity threats. Mitigating that risk starts with a comprehensive security convergence plan to create an effective defense against a range of potential security threats.

Leveraging the latest security technology trends can help organizations with a more proactive approach. The technology trends of 2023 point to systems that are more collaborative, integrated and holistic, providing security teams with more data than ever. That’s why investing in analytics technology and security systems powered by AI is an important trend to follow — automations, integrations and cloud-based technologies can help businesses better understand behavior patterns, make informed decisions and respond swiftly in the event of an incident. 

Such protections may involve significant upfront investments, but keeping up with future technology trends in security can save an organization a lot of money in the long run by preventing data breaches and minimizing operational risks. Additionally, adopting strong security measures can help boost customer confidence. Ultimately, taking steps to protect data by investing in physical security and cybersecurity technology is a smart and necessary choice.