Security sector faces tech lag & workforce pressure, report finds

Trackforce has released its 2025 Physical Security Operations Benchmark Report, offering comparative insights into both private security service providers and enterprise security teams worldwide.

The report is based on a survey exceeding 300 security professionals globally and sheds light on trends influencing physical security, from workforce dynamics to technology adoption. It represents the first time such dual perspectives-contract security providers and in-house teams-have been benchmarked side by side in the sector.

Tech adoption and AI lag

One of the report's key findings is that 47% of security service providers are not currently utilising artificial intelligence (AI) or automation tools, despite increasing pressure to modernise operations. This technology gap risks widening competitive disparities within the industry, with firms slow to adopt new systems potentially falling further behind peers embracing automation and data-driven solutions.

Byron McDuffee, Chief Executive Officer of Trackforce, commented on the findings:

"The data shows that security officers remain both the backbone of the industry and its biggest challenge. Turnover, wage pressure, and rising costs are straining providers, while the role of the officer is also shifting toward becoming a tech-enabled partner in risk management. This report was created to highlight those realities and give leaders a clear reference point to guide stronger retention strategies, smarter use of technology, and better preparation for the future of security."

Workforce pressures

Employee retention remains the foremost concern for security providers, with 42% citing turnover as their most significant operational challenge. Rising wages and increasing amounts of non-billable overtime are cutting into margins, and firms must balance cost constraints against the need to deliver reliable services.

"Security leaders are being asked to manage more responsibilities with fewer resources, while also preparing for threats that span both physical and digital domains," McDuffee added. "The findings make it clear that the future depends on integrated platforms, smarter automation, and stronger collaboration between providers and enterprises in a rapidly changing environment."

Cyber-physical gaps in enterprise teams

The role of corporate security teams continues to evolve. Roughly two-thirds of enterprise teams now oversee functions beyond traditional security, including health and safety oversight. More than half are also involved in facilities management responsibilities. Despite these expansions, only 28% of enterprise respondents expressed confidence in managing converging risks across both the digital and physical domains, underscoring the need for integrated cyber-physical strategies.

Operational challenges remain. Enterprise teams report rapid response times, but many struggle with alert fatigue and burdensome manual compliance tasks, which can make responding to multiple and diverse threats more challenging.

Blending people and technology

The industry is moving towards a model that brings together human expertise and advanced technology. Security officers are transitioning into tech-enabled partners in risk management, and there is increasing demand among enterprise clients for unified platforms offering real-time visibility across both physical and digital environments.

The report anticipates that AI integration, the convergence of cyber and physical security measures, and strategies for stabilising workforces will be pivotal over the coming decade. Security organisations that move swiftly to adopt integrated technologies and operational practices may be better equipped to cope with ongoing pressures and develop operational resilience.