Security Screening Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Security Screening Market is projected to expand from USD 9.45 Billion in 2025 to USD 14.76 Billion by 2031, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 7.71%. This sector encompasses sophisticated inspection technologies utilized at border crossings, transportation hubs, and critical infrastructure facilities to identify illicit goods, such as explosives and weaponry. Major factors accelerating this growth include stricter government safety mandates, the critical need for robust counter-terrorism protocols, and the substantial rebound in international trade and travel, which necessitates faster processing speeds. The recovery in global mobility is evident in data from the International Air Transport Association, which reported a 10.4% year-over-year increase in total full-year global passenger traffic in 2024.

However, a significant obstacle to widespread market expansion is the substantial capital and operational expenditure required to acquire and maintain these complex detection systems. These financial obligations impose a heavy burden on transport authorities and smaller regional airports in developing nations, often forcing them to postpone essential upgrades to modern screening infrastructure. Consequently, this financial strain risks delaying the adoption of next-generation security capabilities and limiting the broad deployment of advanced detection networks.

Market Drivers

The rapid expansion of aviation and transportation infrastructure creates a critical demand for scalable security solutions capable of managing surging passenger volumes. As airports and transit authorities increase terminal capacities, they are heavily investing in modernizing security checkpoints to prevent bottlenecks and ensure seamless flow. This growth necessitates the integration of automated screening lanes and management platforms that sustain high throughput without compromising safety standards. This investment trend is highlighted by SITA's "2024 Air Transport IT Insights" report from February 2025, which estimated that global airport IT spending would reach nearly $9 billion in 2024, demonstrating a prioritized shift toward digitalizing operations and fortifying security infrastructure.

Simultaneously, technological advancements in AI-based threat detection are transforming the capabilities of inspection hardware. Transitioning from conventional X-ray systems to Computed Tomography (CT) scanners equipped with artificial intelligence algorithms enables precise, 3D volumetric analysis of baggage, significantly reducing false alarm rates and the need for manual inspections. These developments are essential for identifying complex threats that traditional systems might miss.

For instance, according to a May 2025 press release, Smiths Detection secured an agreement to deploy its AI-powered HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX Model-S systems across all terminals at Dubai International Airport to enhance threat identification. The urgency for such capabilities is underscored by the persistent volume of prohibited items; the Transportation Security Administration reported in 2025 that officers intercepted 6,678 firearms at U.S. airport checkpoints during the previous year.

Market Challenges

The substantial capital and operational expenditure required for procuring and maintaining detection systems serves as a major restraint on the Global Security Screening Market. Modern screening technologies, including computed tomography baggage scanners and automated screening lanes, demand significant upfront financial outlays that cover not just hardware purchases but also facility retrofitting, systems integration, and specialized staff training. For many regional airports and transport authorities, these costs create a prohibitive barrier to entry, compelling them to prolong the use of legacy equipment rather than upgrading to newer, more efficient standards. This hesitation to invest directly reduces procurement volumes for manufacturers and slows the global deployment of advanced security layers.

Furthermore, the financial strain on aviation infrastructure operators limits their liquidity for discretionary technology upgrades. The necessity to balance operational budgets with regulatory compliance often results in the deferment of security modernization projects. This immense financial pressure is highlighted by Airports Council International (ACI) World, which stated in 2025 that the global airport sector faces a requirement of approximately US$2.4 trillion in total capital investment by 2040 to adequately address long-term capacity and infrastructure needs. This colossal funding requirement forces many operators to allocate resources strictly to essential structural maintenance, thereby diverting funds away from the acquisition of new security screening apparatus and hampering overall market growth.

Market Trends

The implementation of touchless and seamless biometric authentication systems is revolutionizing passenger processing by replacing physical documentation with single-token digital identities. This trend prioritizes a contactless journey where facial recognition and fingerprint scanning verify traveler identity at checkpoints, significantly mitigating congestion and hygiene concerns. The adoption of these identity management solutions is accelerating rapidly as travelers increasingly value speed and convenience over traditional manual checks. Demonstrating this shift in passenger behavior, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported in its "2025 Global Passenger Survey" from November 2025 that 50% of travelers had utilized biometric identification during their journey, a substantial increase from the previous year, with user satisfaction levels reaching 85%.

Concurrently, there is a marked proliferation of advanced screening solutions in mass transit and public venues, driven by the need to secure soft targets without disrupting daily operations. Unlike the aviation sector's stop-and-search model, these environments require high-throughput, free-flow detection technologies that can screen large crowds for weapons in real-time. This expansion is evident in the education and events sectors, where AI-driven sensors are being deployed to automatically differentiate between personal items and threats. Highlighting the scale of this deployment, a Forbes article from December 2025 titled "AI Bathroom Monitors? Welcome To America's New Surveillance High Schools" noted that Evolv Technology’s AI-based systems now screen over 850,000 school visitors every day across the United States, underscoring the growing reliance on automated threat detection outside of traditional airport environments.

Key Players Profiled in the Security Screening Market

• Smiths Group PLC
• L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
• Rapiscan Systems Inc.
• Leidos Holdings, Inc.
• Garrett Electronics, Inc.
• Nuctech Company Limited
• OSI Systems, Inc.
• Autoclear, LLC
• CEIA S.p.A.
• Analogic Corporation

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Security Screening Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Security Screening Market, by Detection Technology:

• X-ray
• CT-based
• Neutron Sensing
• Detection

Security Screening Market, by End User:

• Airports
• Ports and Borders
• Defense
• Critical Infrastructure
• Commercial
• Law Enforcement

Security Screening Market, by Application:

• Mail and Parcel
• Baggage Scanning
• Cargo
• Vehicle Inspection

Security Screening Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Security Screening Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.