Genetec Inc., a global leader in enterprise physical security software, is calling on organizations to strengthen credential governance across connected physical security systems as artificial intelligence (AI) escalates the scale and sophistication of cyber threats. The warning comes ahead of World Password Day, highlighting that periodic password changes and basic cyber hygiene are no longer sufficient to protect modern security environments.
AI-Driven Threats Accelerate Credential Attacks
AI-powered tools are enabling attackers to launch credential-based attacks with unprecedented speed, scale, and precision. For organizations managing connected cameras, access control systems, servers, and cloud services, weak or poorly managed credentials can expose critical operations and create new entry points into networks. This includes passwords used to connect directly to devices, which are often overlooked but can serve as direct gateways if not properly secured.
Mathieu Chevalier, Principal Security Architect at Genetec, emphasized the urgency: “AI is changing the speed and scale of cyber risk. Attackers can now move faster and are using AI to impersonate people, tailor social engineering attacks, uncover vulnerabilities at scale, and evade detection. To respond, organizations need to actively govern access and identity across their systems, not just set controls once and hope they hold.”
Rising Incidents in Physical Security
These risks are already impacting organizations that manage physical security systems. According to Genetec's recent Enterprise Physical Security in the Cloud Era research, which surveyed over 7,300 physical security professionals worldwide, 58.7% of organizations have experienced an increase in phishing and smishing attacks, while 41% reported a rise in overall physical or cyber incidents. Social engineering was identified by 43.5% as a leading attack vector.
Recommendations for Governance-First Approach
Genetec encourages organizations to move beyond isolated credential controls and adopt a governance-first approach to identity management in physical security environments. Key recommendations include:
Strengthen Identity and Credential Controls
- Eliminate default and shared credentials.
- Enforce strong authentication methods such as passkeys.
- Adopt multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce common attack entry points.
- Extend these measures to devices by replacing static passwords with certificate-based authentication where possible.
- Ensure centralized management and regular credential rotation.
Closer Alignment Between IT and Physical Security Teams
Bringing IT and physical security teams together helps apply consistent security standards, improve visibility into access risks, and coordinate incident response. As physical security systems become more connected to enterprise networks, cross-functional alignment can help organizations identify weak points and respond more effectively to credential-based attacks.
