According to Pro-Vigil’s newly released “State of Physical Security Entering 2025” survey, while 36% of business leaders acknowledge that artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance physical security, only 7% have incorporated it into their strategies — a figure practically unchanged from the 6% reported in 2024.
The fifth annual report revealed that although some of these figures have improved compared to previous years, AI still needs greater awareness before achieving broader adoption among organizations. In fact, when asked if their physical security strategy utilizes AI, 66% of respondents said no while 27% said they weren’t sure.
“We see many businesses taking the DIY approach to physical security. What they quickly realize is that folding artificial intelligence into their strategy becomes a major hurdle,” Pro-Vigil Founder Jeremy White tells SecurityInfoWatch. “How can they integrate AI into their solution? How can they train and customize the model to better fit their site? They not only lack the technical acumen but also the data set to train the AI so it works effectively and becomes more accurate over time.”
Based in San Antonio, Pro-Vigil provides AI-enabled remote video monitoring (RVM) solutions to organizations across North America, processing tens of thousands of hours of video daily to refine and train its AI models. To better understand the physical security threats businesses are facing today, and what they’re doing to combat them, the company surveyed operations leaders across a range of industries including construction, dealerships (car/truck/boat/RV), retail, manufacturing and more.
Video Surveillance Trends
When it comes to video surveillance, respondents were asked whether they use it and, if so, what type they have implemented. Almost 1 in 2 (45%) said they used RVM services, compared to just 35% using simple record-and-store cameras. And 20% don’t use video surveillance at all.
“The bottom line is that many businesses simply don’t believe they need remote video monitoring. In our survey, we asked respondents why their security strategies remain unchanged and ‘we are confident that we are secure’ was one of the top responses,” White said.
White emphasized that many businesses still rely on outdated record-and-store cameras under the assumption that they will offer usable video evidence after an incident. However, he noted, “The reality is, that video likely won’t be reviewed until it’s far too late,” making it unlikely to catch perpetrators. White highlighted that true crime deterrence and prevention require businesses to adopt a proactive physical security strategy, adding, “RVM provides exactly that.”
Among other findings in the surveillance category:
- When asked how their security strategy changed last year, 47% of respondents indicated they installed security cameras, and 12% implemented RVM solutions.
- Another 19% installed fencing, with both new alarm systems and access control systems commanding 11%.
- Organizations indicated they use existing video monitoring infrastructure for other needs, including monitoring worksite conditions (39%).
Rising Security Challenges
Organizations continue to grapple with security challenges, as 91% reported that physical security incidents either increased or remained steady in 2024, compared to 87% in 2023. Looking ahead to 2025, 23% expect an increase in incidents, while 64% anticipate they will remain unchanged.
So what strategic advice would White give businesses preparing for this potential rise?
“I would advise businesses that RVM is no longer a nice to have — it’s a must have. Video cameras alone are simply not enough. Who is watching those cameras and alerting on suspicious activity in real time? For many businesses, the answer is no one,” he said. “It’s imperative that businesses ensure someone is watching the other end of those surveillance feeds and acting as soon as they are alerted to suspicious activity.”
The survey found that security incidents continue to affect businesses in multiple ways. When asked about the impact, 25% of respondents identified asset damage as the most significant issue, followed by project delays at 22% and inventory disruptions at 20%.
“For five years, we’ve polled business leaders across industries to find out exactly how physical security incidents are impacting them and what they’re doing about it,” White states in the survey. “The data has been consistent and clear — security incidents are impacting bottom lines, and organizations are not doing enough to combat them.”
Pro-Vigil’s survey was conducted in September 2024. The majority of the 163 respondents held management roles within industries such as construction and dealerships, among others. Most of the respondents (57%) had fewer than 100 employees. To download the full report, visit go.pro-vigil.com/Survey.
