Choosing new security products versus the tried-and-true

We have seen many new, innovative solutions for security technologies of late, but there is still plenty of market demand for “tried-and-true” products. Especially in the physical security realm, many long-term customers are reliant on mainstay security solutions, while concurrently exploring new use cases to leverage those existing technologies. For example, video surveillance is often used for general purpose perimeter security, but when layered with video analytics or integrated with third-party systems such as access control, these solutions can be utilised as proactive tools without replacing existing systems. As new technology is brought to market, the newest solutions may not always be the most realistic for specific use cases. While the security industry is evolving and traditional use cases for security technology increasingly exceed security uses, decision-makers should focus on comprehensive strategies which include trusted security products, while exploring new solutions to mitigate risks and improve business operations.

The rapid pace of innovation in the security industry underscores an undeniable appetite for constant improvement. The desire to remain with legacy systems continues to decline as the pursuit of enhanced features and heightened cybersecurity increases. New products, which include the evolution of tried-and-true solutions, provide the ability to meet these demands. When selecting security systems, it is important to embrace technology that is based on open architecture to avoid disruptions and being locked into a proprietary solution. By choosing solutions based on an open architecture framework, organisations can embrace innovation at their own pace and across multiple systems without having to worry about compatibility and interoperability issues.

We now live in a fast-paced interconnected world, but the appetite for innovative and higher specification security products has always been high.  If a new or “tried-and-true” product can save installation time, has enhanced safety features, or is easily configured, then the reception from the installation community is usually positive. A stylish product or the ability to offer low power consumption is always well received in the market. 

The security market is always evolving with newer, better, faster devices and software being introduced monthly. Better and faster versions of existing products usually see a quick uptake if the performance and accuracy benefits outweigh the costs – not just of the products themselves, but also the labour involved in deploying them. Truly new products that can be shown to improve security or solve a particular issue are usually adopted quickly as well. However, “me too” new products or new products in search of an issue to solve will face an uphill battle. 

We know that familiarity with a product breeds confidence in it. Recent research we carried out across the United Kingdom, investigating transport security, revealed that there is still some education needed for industry professionals to expand their knowledge of the standards and solutions available in today’s market. As it stands, our research strongly suggests that architects and specifiers are tending to stick with what they know when specifying security solutions for new projects. Despite this, we have witnessed an increase in the uptake of security-rated acoustic barriers, which is positive as they are so versatile and work well in many environments. They offer numerous benefits including noise reduction, privacy, and security, and they are also aesthetically pleasing.

The security market’s appetite for new products is more voracious than at any time since the transition to digital video recorder technology in the late 1990s. The industry is facing a demand shock driven by post-COVID reopening and the desire for next-generation, cloud-based solutions. In particular, they are looking for solutions that leverage AI. Whether that is a point-of-sale (POS) exception reporting solution using machine learning to better identify fraud or a monitoring center using AI video technology to identify an intruder, end-users expect more value out of their security investments. Checking the box with basic video or alarm systems simply does not cut it in 2022, especially for businesses with sophisticated asset protection teams. A trusted security provider should constantly bring advances in technology to their clients. To get comfortable with a new product, any credible security company will let a business test drive the technology.

As both security threats and business operational needs evolve, security decision-makers must continuously adopt new and innovative technologies to help keep occupants safe while maintaining efficient operations. New integrated, data-powered solutions offer capabilities that allow for streamlined security operations, making them more appealing to the market than traditional siloed products. One example is artificial intelligence and machine learning, both of which provide predictive indicators of emergency events by helping to identify threats, notifying security teams, and engaging systems to better manage incidents before they occur. Another example is remote monitoring systems that enable operations teams to manage and respond to threats from anywhere, allowing modern security teams to work more efficiently without risking occupant safety. Overall, new products and broader solution options allow building managers to better customise cutting-edge systems and processes that align with their specific goals.