Verkada Inc. - Experts & Thought Leaders

Verkada, a pioneer in AI-powered physical security technology, announced CapitalG is pioneering an investment at a $5.8 billion valuation - an increase of $1.3 billion since the announcement of its Series E in February. The investment will accelerate Verkada's AI capabilities and may also enable liquidity for employees, and comes as the company surpasses $1 billion in annualised bookings. AI-powered transformation "AI is fundamentally transforming how organisations protect people and places, and we're leading that transformation," said Filip Kaliszan, Co-Founder and CEO of Verkada. "Today, more than 2 million Verkada devices are online across 171 countries actively turning data into actionable intelligence that makes security and operations faster, smarter, and more efficient. As we continue building this platform for the long term, we want to give the brilliant team driving this AI-powered transformation the chance to realise some of the value they've created and earned today." How organisations protect people and infrastructure The $1 billion milestone reflects the massive market opportunity Verkada is capturing in enterprise physical security, but also underscores something much bigger: the trust, feedback, and partnership of the company's more than 30,000 customers across the world. "Verkada is fundamentally reshaping the future of physical security," said Derek Zanutto, general partner, CapitalG. "By infusing AI-driven intelligence into an industry long constrained by legacy, fragmented systems, Verkada has transformed security from a static cost centre into a dynamic source of operational insights and efficiency." "Few companies become as mission-critical as Verkada has for its customers — from Fortune 500 enterprises to schools and hospitals — embedding themselves into the daily fabric of how organisations protect people and infrastructure. Filip and his team have built a category-defining platform with unmistakeable product-market fit, and we're proud to back them as they scale their global footprint and extend their lead in this rapidly expanding market." New AI features and platform updates In September, Verkada introduced more than 60 new AI features and platform updates that signal the next chapter of disruption and innovation for the business: powering the entire workflow of security operators with agentic tools like AI-Powered Unified Timeline and Operator View. The customers who have joined Verkada on this journey have deployed over 2 million devices across 171 countries, with impact that is scaling rapidly: Verkada safely checks in 2 million visitors each month, powers 8 million door locks daily, and facilitates 3 intercom calls per second. "Our work is just getting started," added Kaliszan. "We're grateful to our team, our customers, and our investors for believing in this mission – and we're excited for the next chapter of growth."

More than half (52%) of retail workers say they are likely to leave their current job in the next 12 months due to personal safety concerns, according to new research conducted by the Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC) and in partnership with Verkada. The State of Retail Safety report reveals an alarming escalation in workplace violence from 2024, and offers critical insight into solutions that can protect retail workers, consumers and inventory without escalating tensions. Key findings Safety concerns on-the-job escalate, corresponding with material increase in reports of violence: More than one in three (35%) retail workers reported feeling unsafe at work, up from 27% in 2024. Reports of physical assault increased 22% year-over-year, while aggressive behaviour from past employees and current coworkers jumped 28% and 26%, respectively. Nearly 40% of workers worry about theft and verbal harassment most or every time they go to work. Violence threatens retention in an industry that already faces high turnover: One in four retail workers (25%) report they've thought about looking for a new job due to personal safety concerns, up from 19% last year. Those who experienced violent incidents are even more likely to leave: 53% say they have considered new opportunities. Men, who are experiencing workplace violence at notably higher rates than women, are also significantly more likely to quit over safety concerns in the next year (63% vs. 39% of women). Store managers are feeling the impact of this retention challenge: nearly half (49%) report that safety concerns are a barrier to hiring, up significantly from 37% in 2024. Locked cabinets create friction on both sides of the counter: Nearly half (46%) of retail workers say physical theft prevention tools like locked cabinets and checkout gates are more disruptive than effective, and 59% report they reduce their efficiency on-the-job. Customers agree: 60% of U.S. adults say physical theft prevention tools are more disruptive to the shopping experience than they are effective at deterring crime, and 74% say certain theft-prevention measures make them less likely to shop in-store. Retail workers in stores with these measures in place report higher rates of violence across every category measured, revealing an uncomfortable reality: customer frustration from these barriers may be fuelling confrontations, as retail workers report 54% of verbal threats stem from angry customers. LPRC's ongoing efforts "Retail remains a critical cornerstone of the American economy, contributing $5.3 trillion annually to GDP and supporting more than one in four jobs," said Read Hayes, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Loss Prevention Research Council. "Nothing is more important than protecting the frontline retail associates who power this economic engine, and this report builds on the LPRC's ongoing efforts to provide a roadmap for retailers on how to make sure these workers feel safe." Retailer's clear roadmap  "Everyone deserves to feel safe, but our research shows that more than one in three retail workers has felt the opposite," said Alana O'Grady Lauk, Vice President of Public Affairs at Verkada. "With the busiest shopping season around the corner, millions of retail workers will experience increased foot traffic, longer hours, and rushed shoppers. This data gives retailers a clear roadmap to protect their teams when it matters most – and the urgency to act on it now."

Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. These findings highlight a growing concern among faith communities about safety in shared worship spaces, and underscore the need for new approaches to help institutions create secure and welcoming environments. Key findings Additional key findings include: Safety concerns are higher at larger congregations: 32% of attendees at larger places of worship (500+ attendees) say they are very concerned about their safety, compared to 18% of those who attend smaller establishments. Younger generations feel the greatest concern: 55% of Gen Z and 61% of Millennials express safety concerns at in-person services, compared to Gen X (40%) and Boomers (25%). Younger respondents are also more likely to adjust their attendance due to safety concerns: 53% of Gen Z and Millennials say they’ve changed their habits, compared to Gen X (36%) and Boomers (14%). Security improvements are underway, but gaps remain: More than half of attendees (54%) say their place of worship has upgraded security in the past year. However, one in three (33%) still rate security measures at their institution as minimal or non-existent. At Verkada, the trend is already visible: over the past year, the number of religious institutions adopting Verkada’s security technology has increased by 65%, as more communities take proactive steps to promote safety and peace of mind for their communities. “Places of worship are essential gathering places with three in 10 U.S. adults attending religious services regularly, according to a recent Gallup Poll," said retired police lieutenant and Verkada Public Safety Advisor, Ben Jones.  “For faith leaders ensuring the physical security of their congregations isn’t just about protection, but about preserving the sense of peace and belonging these spaces represent.”

A system's lifecycle is the journey it takes from planning and design through to decommissioning. Considering the entire lifecycle of a system can encourage integrators and end users to embrace higher-quality technologies with an eye toward maximising their value over time rather than focusing on lower-priced equipment. For additional insights, we asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How does consideration of system lifecycles impact the choice of physical security technologies?

The Internet of Things (IoT) is having a profound impact on businesses across various industries, including security. In physical security as in other business environments, the IoT is changing how systems operate, interact, and create value. In the process, the IoT is driving efficiency, reducing costs, and opening up new avenues for innovation and growth. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How is the Internet of Things (IoT) transforming how security systems are deployed?

Access control, video surveillance, and intrusion detection systems evolved largely independently in the physical security industry. Integrating those systems to the benefit of an enterprise's overall security has traditionally fallen on security integrators working in cooperation with manufacturers. However, today's market has also evolved to include companies that provide "unified platforms,” bringing together various disparate security systems and functions under a single, centralised management interface. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the advantages of installing physical security systems as a unified platform?