Making Sense of the Cloud: A Practical Roadmap for Security Professionals

“Cloud” has become a catch-all term in the world of physical security—used to describe everything from video storage and access control to analytics and system management. But with so many definitions and deployment models, it’s easy for security teams to feel overwhelmed or unsure where to start.  

What exactly does ‘cloud’ mean for your organization’s unique security needs? How do you separate hype from reality, or choose between different platforms and architectures? Without a clear understanding, teams risk underutilizing powerful cloud capabilities or, worse, exposing critical systems to unnecessary vulnerabilities.  

Our new eBook, The Cloud Adoption Roadmap for Every Video Surveillance System, shows how teams just like yours are navigating hybrid and cloud-based models—without the vendor lock-in, hidden fees, or infrastructure overhauls. 

Whether you’re just testing the waters or ready for a full migration, this guide helps you make smart, strategic decisions. 

The cloud journey for video surveillance 

Genetec’s State of Physical Security 2025  report found that 49% of end users still had 100% on-premises deployments of physical security in 2024.  

That’s nearly 50% of respondents who aren’t using cloud at all, and we’re talking about moving to the cloud as an imperative for the industry. Why now?  

The core answer is simple: data. Every day, physical security operations generate more and more data that needs to be stored, and on-premises systems alone can’t keep up.  

• The sheer number of security cameras is growing rapidly: New York City has 235 cameras per square mile, though that’s small in comparison to Delhi, India, which has 1,490. This is increasing video content across industries, from healthcare and retail to manufacturing and law enforcement.  

• Genetec’s survey found channel partners reporting that customers want to replace legacy systems to access new capabilities, including higher-quality video, streamlined video management systems, and video analytics tools. Higher-quality video and analytics mean more data to store. 

• Nearly 1 in 4 end users reported wanting data available to collaborate with other departments, which is often impossible without an advanced, cloud-based management system.  

While more data may mean more storage, not all storage is created equal. Expanding on-premises systems to meet new data needs is ​​costly and time-consuming. Plus, on-premises systems can be vulnerable to data loss, whether from natural disasters, theft, damage, or failures.  

That’s where the cloud comes in–and there’s no one-size-fits all solution. Full cloud adoption can be a great option, but for some organizations, a hybrid cloud model is the best answer. In fact, over the next 5 years, hybrid cloud adoption among physical security professionals is expected to increase by 30%. 

Hybrid cloud can be the best of both worlds 

If you’re hesitant to give up your on-premises system, a hybrid cloud approach may be the perfect fit. It’s not a full system overhaul since cloud storage layers on top of your existing system, adding scalability and security. Forget rip-and-replace. You retain your on-site hardware, including cameras and your video management system (VMS), while protecting against local failures with cloud-based backups and redundancy.  

A hybrid approach has huge benefits. Here’s what you gain: 

• Disaster resilience: Local hardware can fail. Cloud backups keep your footage safe from fires, floods, theft, and ransomware. 

• Scalable growth: Add more cameras, increase resolution, boost frame rates–increasing your storage needs isn’t an issue. Hybrid cloud gives you room for it without buying more on-site hardware. 

• Targeted protection: Send mission-critical video straight to the cloud. That means faster access to high-priority footage, whatever that looks like for your team. 

• Smarter data management: Free up local space, stay compliant with retention policies, and archive old footage without disrupting day-to-day operations. 

• No workflow disruption: Your team keeps using the same tools they already know. Playback, search, and access all work just like before, no new training needed.  

Hybrid cloud is a flexible solution that offers all the benefits of cloud storage without any of the drawbacks of a major system overhaul.

Unlock the power of scale for your security system 

Whether your team decides to pursue a fully-cloud based system or is ready to jump into the hybrid cloud, the key to success is choosing the right partner.  

Not all cloud storage is built for video, but we are. Our purpose-built system is designed for high-volume video and offers seamless integration with security systems of all kinds (all without hidden fees or vendor lock-in).  

What can Wasabi do for you?  

• Predictable pricing: We offer cost-effective flat-rate storage with no egress fees, so you can budget confidently even as your data grows.  

• Infinite scalability: Meet your growing demand for storage and higher resolution cameras. Just scale up your storage as needed, without worrying about server capacity. 

• Powerful security: Your storage needs to stay protected as it grows. Wasabi provides immutable storage to guard against ransomware and tampering, encryption at rest and in-transit, and unique, role-based access controls like Multi-User Authentication that prevents any one core user from deleting your data without approval from other administrators.  

• Seamless integrations: Surveillance systems of all kinds (including VMS, cameras, cloud native apps) can connect to Wasabi using the S3 API, cloud gateways, or the Wasabi Surveillance Cloud software client.  

We can suit your needs without disrupting your operations. Thousands of customers trust us with their surveillance data. 

“Wasabi will handle everything from video archives and analytics, Microsoft 365, GCP and Azure backups, to surveillance data from cameras and devices throughout the ballpark. Wasabi has turned out to be the proverbial home run that we are using for our backups and data retention needs." - Brian Shield, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for FSM and the Boston Red Sox. Read more in the case study. 

The future of video surveillance data is in the cloud  

The call to action is clear: video surveillance teams need cloud storage in some capacity to meet today’s data demands. No matter where you are on your journey, or where you’re going, our cloud solutions will help you get there.  

Looking for ways to get started? Download our eBook, The Cloud Adoption Roadmap for Every Video Surveillance System, for an in-depth guide on transitioning from on-prem surveillance storage to a hybrid or fully cloud-based model.