Key workplace security statistics for 2024

Workplaces today are in a constant state of flux. Organizations face growing challenges in controlling facility access and adhering to security and compliance requirements. The rise of distributed office models has added to this complexity, making access control management more challenging. Of course, there's also the growing presence of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace. 

We spoke to workplace and security leaders across industries to make sense of this current reality and see what's in store for the future. Below are our findings from these conversations.

Physical security is the workplace's #1 blind spot

As companies move to smaller, decentralized office locations, maintaining consistent security and compliance—across all sites—has become a top concern. Nearly half (48%) of companies rank it as their number one workplace challenge (see Figure 1).

Fluctuating numbers of visitors and varying employee traffic patterns make this even harder. Manual security processes can make it more difficult to spot trends in your visitor and employee data, causing several issues that impact the bottom line. These processes are huge financial drains. IDC reports that inefficiencies from manual processes can cost companies up to 30% of their revenue each year. It's no wonder why 47% of companies found adapting to new technologies and digital transformation was their highest concern (see Figure 1), second only to workplace security and compliance.

Disparate systems add to the problem. Teams often have to jump from system to system to collect visitor and employee data, which can lead to further IT and physical security gaps and issues with visitor management.

AI is upending the workplace (and expectations)

Advancements in AI, automation, and other emerging technologies have sparked new expectations for the tech tools we use daily. AI, in particular, has taken the world by storm in almost every industry, and we expect it to improve workplace technology for years to come.

Biometric security features, such as fingerprint scanning and facial recognition, were previously considered too advanced and complicated for workplaces. But things have changed. A majority of businesses have expressed interest in investing in new and emerging workplace tech features in the near future. Over half (56%) believe we'll see more robust biometric security features within the next five years (see Figure 2).

Roadblocks are slowing the adoption of new technology

AI continues to be a buzzword across nearly every industry, with global investment expected to reach $200 billion by 2025. Companies are spending big on their own AI initiatives and the cloud infrastructure needed to support them. Over half (51%) of workplace leaders believe AI advancements will be the most influential factor shaping the modern workplace in the next decade (see Figure 2).

But here's the real problem: Workplaces aren't ready for advanced tech. Companies are buying into the hype, but several obstacles are preventing them from adopting these new tools.

• Manual processes are creating inefficiencies. A third of companies (33%) manage over half of their operations manually. With many companies still yet to digitize security and visitor management processes, there's a lot to be done before more advanced workplace tech can be successfully implemented.
• Limited budgets are driving more tech consolidation. Despite interest in AI, 78% of workplaces are exploring or actively consolidating their tech stacks to cut costs. This highlights the balance many face between offering advanced capabilities to employees and tightening budgets.
• Many lack the internal infrastructure required. Implementing enterprise-ready AI-powered systems can present further complications. Businesses need better data processes, privacy measures, employee training, and organization-wide governance to ensure safe and responsible use.

Visitor management systems remove this friction

A visitor management system (VMS) can streamline everyday tasks by consolidating multiple functions into one integrated platform. Instead of relying on disparate solutions for visitor registration, access control, watchlist screening, emergency notifications, and compliance reporting, a VMS combines these capabilities under one umbrella. Here’s how they can make your life easier:

1. Automated processes

A VMS centralizes functions like visitor registration and compliance tracking into one unified platform, helping to automate certain workflows. For example, if your visitor management system integrates with Slack or Microsoft Teams, you can automatically alert the appropriate employees when their visitors have arrived.

2. Reduction of redundant systems

Workplaces often struggle with tech stacks that include too many overlapping tools, but a VMS can help with eliminating redundant systems. Many of these platforms have integrated security features such as ID scanning and background checks, which can replace separate point solutions previously needed for these tasks. This saves money on multiple software licenses and hardware setups.

3. Less burden on IT

Most visitor management platforms are cloud-based, meaning they don't require complex on-premise hardware or extensive IT support. This makes them easy to deploy and maintain, even for those with limited IT resources. A VMS also can adapt as your footprint grows. They allow for different management styles across multiple locations, enabling you to address varying regional regulations and requirements​​.

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The nature of workplace security is evolving, and the onus is on businesses to stay ahead of any potential risks or threats. Check out our webinar with security experts from Samsara and Datadog, "How to safeguard your workplace for the long term," to learn how to future-proof your security strategy.