5 Physical Security Priorities for 2026

It’s no great surprise that crime is on the rise. What may shock you is the rate at which it’s increasing.

According to the Office for National Statistics, in the year ending March 2025, robbery of business property in England and Wales increased by a massive 50%. This wasn’t down to sophisticated cyberattacks. Most of the time, criminals were simply walking in through inadequately secured doors.

You won’t want to be part of those statistics next year — so here are 5 security priorities for 2026 which you can’t afford to ignore.

1. Review access control systems

Is your organisation still using old-style access control systems such as key cards and fobs? Unfortunately, these legacy systems are shockingly vulnerable. Hundreds of fobs and cards are lost and stolen each year, effectively unlocking the door for potential intruders.

But that isn’t the only risk factor.

Older proximity systems use technology which is 50 years old. With zero encryption in place, it’s simple for a criminal to make a clone. All they need is a low-cost, easily available device which reads the code and copies it.

When this happens, there are no alerts or warnings. Older systems use one-way communication protocols, so it could be weeks before anyone notices that there’s an issue.

Rather than waiting for a security breach to reveal the system’s age, carry out a review as soon as possible.

2. Update access control

The ideal access control system will vary from one business to another, but some options to consider include:

• Biometric access control where the system securely stores biometric credentials in the cloud
• Smartphone access, protected by biometrics, where individuals gain access via an app or Bluetooth
• Video door entry systems which can be monitored from any location

It’s worth considering cloud-based systems. They’re flexible and scalable, allowing you to assign, update or revoke access instantly and manage everything from a single system. If there’s a security breach, you’ll know about it straight away. Encrypted bi-directional communication allows the system to issue an alert.

What’s more, because an authorised individual’s access is quick and seamless, it reduces the risk of tailgating, or cheating the system by propping open doors.

3. Integrate the whole security system

Criminals exploit the security gaps created by silos. When access control, CCTV, intruder alarms and visitor management are segregated, they can’t communicate. For example, once a visitor has checked in at reception, would your security team receive an alert if they entered a restricted area?

Security system integration solves the problem and, in 2026, it’s essential. One centrally-controlled system pulls together visitor logs, access control systems, video surveillance, emergency systems and more. It uses AI to capture vast quantities of data, analyse it for anomalies and detect threats in real time.

In effect, you get multiple sets of eyes and ears informed by a unified data stream. You know who’s entered the premises, when, why, and what they do whilst onsite.

4. Be smart with perimeter security

When was the last time you took a good look at perimeter security? If it’s been more than a year, now is the time to seek a professional risk assessment.

Many organisations rely on systems which are reactive, rather than proactive. For example, CCTV may capture an intruder on camera — but without a real-time alert, it will be too late to capture the actual criminal.

Proactive perimeter security is the way forward. It can spot trouble before it becomes a costly problem. Modern Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems (PIDS) combine sensors, cameras and advanced analytics to detect, verify and respond to intrusions in real time.

When alerts automatically feed into a 24/7 alarm receiving centre, you get the ideal combination — cutting-edge technology and the human judgement of trained security responders. They manage emergencies quickly and efficiently on your behalf.

5. Adopt AI-powered physical security

Machine learning is already a major factor in physical security. In 2026 and beyond, it’s going to become the norm.

AI doesn’t fall asleep, lose concentration or need a day off. It’s continuously alert, learning exponentially and improving its own performance.

An AI-powered system is programmed to recognise patterns. It knows how staff, visitors and other personnel behave day to day, and where they’re authorised to be. When there’s an anomaly — say, repeated failed attempts to access, or movement out-of-hours — it notices and responds in real time.

Moreover, AI can alert you to potential security weaknesses. These systems have vast data processing capabilities, including predictive analysis. Over time, your security system will forecast exactly where and when your premises are likely to be vulnerable. You can stay ahead of the risk.

For a professional risk assessment, and advice on cost-effective options for updating your security system in 2026, get in touch with the CSG team. We’d be happy to help.