How COVID-19 Changed the Security Equipment Industry

The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped many industries — and the security equipment sector was no exception. From disrupted supply chains to new demands for touchless and health-centric technologies, the changes triggered by the pandemic are still influencing how security equipment is designed, manufactured, and used. This guide explores key shifts that have occurred and how they affect businesses and organisations investing in security today.

Major Impacts of COVID-19 on the Security Equipment Industry

1. Supply Chain Disruptions The pandemic caused widespread delays and shortages of critical components, including semiconductors, electronics, and raw materials. Manufacturers of security equipment (metal detectors, X-ray scanners, sensors) have faced longer lead times, higher costs, and the need to find alternative suppliers or adjust production schedules.
2. Increased Demand for Touchless & Health-Focused Screening There has been a surge in interest for thermal imaging cameras, fever detection systems, sanitization checkpoints, contactless access control (e.g. mobile credentials, facial recognition), and touch-free entry systems. Security manufacturers had to adapt products to reduce physical contact and prioritize hygiene.
3. Remote Monitoring & Cloud-Based Systems Lockdowns and restrictions made traditional on-site operations harder. Security companies accelerated adoption of remote monitoring, cloud-based command centers, and systems enabling operators to work from outside central control rooms. This shift helped maintain operations even during strict social distancing or lockdowns.
4. Rise of Hybrid & Flexible Security Solutions Because of event cancellations, reduced occupancy, and fluctuating demand, there was greater demand for portable, modular, or temporary security hardware (e.g. handheld detectors, mobile screening units). Organisations wanted systems that could scale up or down depending on health restrictions, crowd dynamics, or emergencies.
5. Regulatory & Health Compliance as a Factor in Product Design Health safety standards, guidelines for mass gatherings, requirements for ventilation, cleaning, and spacing influenced how security equipment was deployed. Manufacturers needed to certify products for safety under pandemic-related regulation; installers had to consider sanitary spacing, cleaning protocols, and how equipment handles disinfectants or frequent cleaning.
6. Impact on Pricing & Cost Pressures Due to component shortages, increased shipping costs, and inflation, the cost of manufacturing and distributing security equipment rose. These pressures affected pricing for customers, forced investments in logistics, stock safety margins, or local production.
7. Accelerated Innovation The urgency of adapting to pandemics drove faster innovation: combining biometric scanning with temperature checks, developing AI-based anomaly detection with fewer

physical contacts, integrating health-monitoring features into security devices. Some firms accelerated R&D, releasing new models or features faster than before.

8. Persistent Trends & “Long COVID” in Security Many pandemic-era changes are lasting. For example, touchless access control and health screening are no longer seen as temporary; demand continues. Remote operations and flexible deployment remain desirable. Organisations are more aware of business continuity, risk planning, and how quickly security can pivot under crisis.

Challenges & What Organisations Need to Adapt

• Ensuring reliability in new systems (e.g. thermal scanners, face recognition) — reducing false positives/negatives.
• Dealing with maintenance and hygiene: frequent cleaning can damage equipment; designs must allow for safe cleaning without reducing performance.
• Training staff properly for combined health and security protocols.
• Balancing cost vs benefit: new features add cost, and not all will be needed in every context.
• Navigating changing regulation and compliance across jurisdictions. What is acceptable in one region may differ in another.
• Managing supply chain resilience: diversifying sources, holding enough inventory, planning for disruptions.

What to Look for When Choosing Security Equipment Now

When buying or upgrading security equipment in a post-COVID world, consider:

• Touchless features: non-contact scanning, mobile access, voice / gesture controls.
• Built-in health monitoring (temperature sensors, alerting systems).
• Remote monitoring capabilities & cloud-based dashboards.
• Robustness to cleaning and environmental stress.
• Flexibility and scalability: equipment that can be moved, adapted, or expanded.
• Proven track record: vendors whose equipment has been adapted and tested under pandemic conditions.
• After-sales service and parts availability — with disruptions in supply chains, support becomes even more critical.

Conclusion 

The COVID-19 pandemic forced rapid change in the security equipment industry — from how equipment is designed and built, to how it’s used and maintained. Many of those changes are here to stay. For organisations and security providers, adapting to these shifts means choosing solutions

with health in mind, flexibility, remote capabilities, and supply chain resilience. The new expectations are higher, and equipment must now protect not just against external threats, but also public health risks.

Call to Action

At DetectorsHub, we’re keeping pace with the post-COVID security market. We offer touchless access systems, thermal screening devices, combined health & security features, and flexible, scalable equipment. Contact