Written By: Brad Campbell | December 17, 2024
As we wrap up 2024 and look ahead to 2025, it’s clear that there have been some significant trends in the security industry that will continue to shape demands for security solutions that protect people and properties in the coming year.
Here at Riot Glass, we’ve kept a close eye on these trends over the past year, and we’re ready to share what we think will be some of the most important security issues and advancements in 2025. Of course, we’re also going to tie this all into how essential security glazing is becoming across industries.
One of the biggest areas where we’re seeing an increased focus is on access denial for schools, specifically to protect against active threats.
Sadly, not a year goes by without more tragic loss of life in U.S. schools, and schools across the country are recognizing that they need stronger barriers in place to stop intruders before they even set foot inside a building or classroom.
This means going beyond traditional lock-and-key security — it’s absolutely vital to harden glass doors and windows and other potential entry points to make unauthorized access nearly impossible.
For example, take the recent push for glass-hardening mandates in schools. By implementing high-security glazing solutions, schools are adding another layer of defense against potential threats.
These measures don’t just protect schools against active shooters; they also provide peace of mind for students, parents, and educators alike. In 2025, we expect to see even more schools adopting these solutions to create safer environments.
If you watch the news, you’re probably already aware of the rise in smash-and-grab thefts over the past few years. Businesses are feeling the impact of this trend, and more business owners are starting to see high-security windows and doors as essential investments rather than optional upgrades.
When thieves can shatter ordinary commercial glass in seconds, it’s easy for them to make off with valuable goods before anyone has time to react. That’s where our solutions come in.
At Riot Glass, we’ve seen the difference that impact-resistant glazing makes for our clients who are serious about protecting their assets. These glazing solutions are built to withstand significant force, providing businesses with a robust barrier against quick-hit robberies.
With cities and law enforcement struggling to keep up with these incidents, we expect even more business owners to turn to smash-and-grab prevention solutions in 2025, not just for asset protection but also to give their teams and customers a greater sense of security.
With the ongoing global tensions and evolving security risks, protecting high-profile individuals like heads of state has become more of a concern than ever.
Over the years, presidential security has always set a high standard, but now, innovations like bullet-resistant glass are advancing faster than ever, offering even more options for protecting the president from ballistic attacks and other threats.
With a president returning who has already experienced two assassination attempts to the White House in 2025, there will almost certainly be an increased emphasis on protecting the president with bulletproof glass at public speaking events and even in private.
Protecting the president isn’t the only federal security challenge — increasing security at federal buildings is also an area of increased focus, particularly as government facilities contend with a range of security challenges, from natural disasters to civil unrest.
Federal properties require top-notch, tested materials that don’t just protect against forced entry, but also provide defense against ballistic and blast threats.
At Riot Glass, we’ve worked on projects that showcase how high-security glazing solutions can fortify these buildings without sacrificing architectural appeal.
For 2025, we expect to see more federal agencies adopting the latest security glazing to strengthen their defense strategies and comply with the latest security standards.
These solutions allow federal buildings to continue operating safely and efficiently even during trying times, knowing that their defenses are as robust as they come.
There’s something special about historical buildings — they carry unique stories and heritage that should be preserved for future generations. In fact, many federal buildings, such as courthouses, are historical buildings with great architectural value.
However, keeping these buildings and their occupants safe is a real challenge, especially when it comes to securing glass windows that may be decades or even centuries old without interfering with the surrounding structure.
In the past year, we’ve seen a growing awareness of the need to protect these structures without compromising their character or damaging their heritage architecture.
That’s why we at Riot Glass have designed historical building security glass solutions that allow these buildings to blend security with aesthetics. From museums to courthouses and historical landmarks, we help preserve architectural beauty while providing a much-needed layer of security.
Moving into 2025, we expect more historical building managers to invest in security glass that complements and protects these treasured structures, recognizing that it’s possible to honor the past while safeguarding it for the future.
The role of architects in helping to shape secure environments is undeniable.
With security concerns at the forefront of the news and building owners’ minds, more architects are pursuing continuing education units (CEUs) focused on security glazing and other advanced protective materials.
By staying current with these solutions, architects can better design buildings that balance aesthetic goals with modern security demands.
At Riot Glass, we’re actively involved in helping architects meet their CEU requirements by providing relevant knowledge on security glazing options and applications through our course: “Fenestration Security for Educational, Religious, Commercial, and Retail Applications.”
As we move into 2025, we’re excited to see more architects incorporating these essential security elements into their designs, ensuring that new and renovated spaces meet both modern style and safety standards.
Security glazing is becoming an indispensable part of any architect’s toolkit, and that’s a trend we’re proud to support!
With civil unrest and demonstrations sometimes escalating into rioting and looting, as well as looting occurring after hurricanes and other natural disasters, business owners are increasingly looking for reliable ways to protect their properties 24/7.
ArmorPlast is one of our most popular products for precisely this reason. It’s impact-resistant, nearly unbreakable, and built to keep would-be intruders from looting your business, even during a prolonged forced entry attempt.
The demand for riot protection solutions has surged in the past year, and as we move into 2025, we expect this trend to continue.
Business owners and property managers want to know that their investments are protected, and ArmorPlast delivers peace of mind by providing an incredibly tough barrier that’s still visually appealing.
We’re proud to be at the forefront of riot and looting protection solutions, helping businesses stay safe in uncertain times!
Bulletproof (ballistic-grade) glass isn’t just for high-security government buildings and executive protection anymore. More businesses and private property owners are seeing its value, especially as concerns around armed threats and gun violence remain prominent.
At Riot Glass, we’re seeing this demand firsthand — businesses want reassurance that their spaces are secure, and bullet-resistant security glazing provides a powerful line of defense against a full range of forced entry-related threats.
As we head into 2025, we anticipate that ballistic-grade glass will continue to gain popularity across various sectors, from retail stores to corporate offices. This technology offers more than just physical protection; it reassures employees, customers, and visitors alike that they’re in a space designed with their safety in mind.
In short, bulletproof glass is becoming an integral part of modern security plans, and we’re here to make it accessible to those who need it.
Threat assessments have become an essential part of any effective commercial security strategy. Knowing the unique risks a building or business faces allows property owners to implement targeted solutions that make the biggest impact.
At Riot Glass, we often work with clients to evaluate potential threats and recommend custom glazing options that meet their specific needs.
For 2025, we expect to see a growing number of organizations taking a proactive approach to security with professional threat assessments. By understanding risks ahead of time, they can invest in the right protective measures — whether that’s shatter-resistant windows, ballistic glass, or reinforced entryways.
Threat assessments are an invaluable tool for staying one step ahead, and we’re here to help businesses navigate those decisions.
As 2025 approaches, the focus on smarter, stronger security is sharper than ever. From schools hardening their doors and windows with access denial barriers to businesses reinforcing their storefront glass against smash-and-grabs, the shift is undeniable — security glazing solutions are an essential part of any modern commercial security strategy.
At Riot Glass, we’re energized by these advancements, and we’re continually developing new protective glazing that combines durability and efficiency with seamless architectural integration and cost-effectiveness.
As threats change and awareness of certain security concerns grows, we’re honored to be part of a future where businesses and institutions have more access than ever to the tools they need to protect themselves and their people against threats.
Here’s to a safer, more secure year ahead, and to the innovations that make it possible!
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