Security Market Sentiment Declined in September

The latest index score marks a dip in outlook for firms specializing in access control and video surveillance.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Employment

Security Market Sentiment Declined in September

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Eighty-three percent of surveyed security firms reported positive business conditions in the September/October 2026 Security Market Index. The index value reached 53, reflecting a period of softening sentiment for the sector.

Why it matters

The index provides a gauge of market health for operators in access control, video surveillance, and integration. It helps owners track whether broader volatility impacts business investment cycles in their niche.

The index score of 53 sits four points below the 12-month average of 57. While 83% of participants reported positive business conditions, this figure followed the 86% positivity rate recorded in the prior July/August 2026 reporting period.

The details

The Security Market Index utilizes a proprietary formula that calculates business health based on three-month projections across five key operational components. Over 40% of survey participants are drawn from the access control, integration, and video surveillance sectors. The metric is designed to reflect how operators view their immediate growth prospects relative to recent market pressures.

March/April 2026: The index fell 14 points following military operations.
May/June 2026: The index increased 12 points following a ceasefire.
July/August 2026: 86% of participants reported positive conditions.
September/October 2026: 83% of participants reported positive conditions.

Market Landscape

The current market sentiment follows a pattern of volatility connected to the 2026 military operations in Iran, which previously triggered a 14-point index drop earlier in the year. This index behavior highlights how external geopolitical shocks create rapid, measurable swings in domestic security industry confidence.

Owners should monitor whether this dip in the index translates to slower procurement cycles for video and access projects. Operators should track their own pipeline against the 12-month benchmark to determine if their firm is outpacing or lagging behind this industry-wide sentiment trend.

The takeaway

Sentiment in the security market remains largely positive despite a recent dip in the index score. Operators should continue to track the 12-month average of 57 as a key metric to assess whether their business growth is keeping pace with the broader industry.