BHE economic survey: stable security market with cautious outlook

June 10, 2025

The economic situation in the security market is largely stable. In the latest spring economic survey conducted by the BHE, specialist companies rated the current business situation with a grade of 2.09, which is similar to the rating in autumn 2024 (2.06). Around 75 percent of companies rate their current market situation as ‘good’ or ‘very good’. However, the proportion of companies painting a bleak picture has risen from 1 percent in autumn 2024 to almost 4 percent now. However, no company rates the current situation as ‘very poor’.

A look at the individual customer groups reveals a mixed picture. The private sector is rated slightly better than in the last surveys (autumn 2024: 3.08) with a value of 2.95, but remains at a moderate level. The order situation for commercial customers has remained unchanged since spring 2024 at 2.2. However, the business situation in the public sector is significantly weaker, with a rating of 2.67, the lowest result in the last ten years.

Different trends are also apparent in the individual sectors. Fire alarm technology (1.96; autumn 2024: 2.03) and access control (2.16; autumn 2024: 2.27) are experiencing a slight upturn, as are mechanical security technology (2.57 compared to 3.00 in autumn 2024) and perimeter security (from 2.33 to 2.00).

Burglar alarm technology remains stable at a good level with a score of 2.40 (autumn 2024: 2.41). On the other hand, video security (2.31 compared to 2.24 in autumn 2024), smoke and heat extraction systems (2.16; autumn 2024: 2.00) and voice alarms (2.29 compared to 2.22) are slightly down.

Installers are looking ahead to the coming months with slightly more confidence than in previous surveys. The score of 2.20 is the best since the autumn 2021 survey.

The staffing situation in the security market remains tense. Over 60 percent of companies plan to hire new employees. Only one percent of companies expect to reduce their workforce, while 38 percent want to maintain their current staffing levels.

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