Written February 2026. The technology industry is facing a significant shortage of computer memory (RAM and related chips), and it’s more than an industry buzzword. Driven largely by demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure, memory supply has tightened, prices have risen, and the effects are reaching industries far beyond consumer gadgets and data centers.
For property managers, community development district (CDD) leaders, and business owners investing in security systems like Eagle Eye Networks and Brivo, it’s worth understanding why. Surveillance and access control depend on servers, storage, network equipment, and onsite devices, all of which use memory.
What’s driving the shortage?
This shortage isn’t a pandemic-style supply disruption. AI data centers are consuming a huge share of the world’s memory. AI workloads need large amounts of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and DRAM, so manufacturers like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron have shifted production toward memory for AI servers and away from mainstream products.
How it affects security system costs
- Recorders and servers: video systems need significant memory for buffering, analytics, and retention.
- Onsite devices: AI-enabled cameras, video analytics boxes, and access control controllers use RAM and flash memory.
- Cloud platforms: providers like Eagle Eye Networks and Brivo run large data center infrastructure and pay market prices for memory too.
As memory costs rise and supply stays tight, hardware prices for security systems are likely to follow. Expect tighter hardware quotes and possible delays or premium pricing on some components.
What the market is showing
- Memory prices rose sharply as AI demand outpaced supply, and market researchers expect tight supply and rising prices to continue into 2027.
- Manufacturers are prioritizing AI memory, reducing the supply of the DRAM and flash used in PCs, servers, and embedded devices.
- Large cloud and AI companies are reserving memory supply years in advance, further tightening inventory for everyone else.
- PC and server makers report memory making up a much larger share of build costs, pressure that eventually reaches every hardware category, including surveillance.
What this means for Eagle Eye and Brivo users
Cloud-first systems still rely on onsite hardware (controllers, gateways, bridges) as well as the provider’s data centers. Possible effects:
- Hardware price increases for servers, gateways, and memory-heavy devices
- Longer lead times while vendors wait on memory-dependent parts
- Budgeting challenges when forecasting upgrades or expansions
- Lifecycle decisions, with some organizations stretching refresh cycles
If you’re planning an upgrade, consider locking in pricing and supply early. We maintain strong supplier relationships and will help you plan around delays.
The bottom line
A memory shortage sounds far removed from day-to-day operations, but it’s reaching every technology-dependent industry, including physical security. Staying informed and planning ahead protects your budget and keeps your systems on schedule.
See it at your property
Want a walkthrough of how this works for your community? Request a free assessment or call (813) 444-4355, and we’ll call you to learn more about your property.
