How did security change for the better in 2024?

Last year provided more opportunities to spend time where it matters, on the ground, talking to our partners, customers, and the industry at large to ensure we remain customer-focused in all that we do. These impactful conversations and increased collaboration across the security industry enabled manufacturers to continue evolving their products to meet current demands and deliver against new technologies. Last year also saw new players in the security marketplace challenging the status quo; driving changes to distributor models to allow for a more inclusive marketplace, with greater reach and extended networks. By streamlining the buying process, it ensured simplified supply of products to market via a partner network that supports our vision and customer-centric focus. This evolution is set to change how we communicate with the market, to truly unlock the power, scope and effectiveness of these solution and their impact on the industry and our wider communities.

A positive trend that I saw take hold in 2024—and is continuing to gain momentum in 2025—is how much easier it is becoming to integrate systems. Cloud-based physical security platforms are making security solutions more open and flexible, allowing organisations to connect their security devices with other tools and sources of data. Some of the ways I have seen organisations use integrations to get more value from their security solutions include integrations with evidence collection tools to export video archives or other data logs quickly and seamlessly, or even connecting point-of-sale systems with video footage to monitor transactions and reduce shrinkage in retail environments. It is exciting to see how these kinds of integrations are transforming security systems into versatile solutions that support a wider range of organisational needs.

The security marketplace in 2024 saw significant advancements, particularly in the realm of smart home technologies, driven by a combination of innovation, integration, and user-centric design. One of the most notable changes was the widespread adoption of unified security ecosystems. Homeowners could now manage cameras, door locks, alarms, and motion sensors seamlessly through single platforms, reducing the friction associated with managing disparate devices. Enhanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities played a pivotal role in improving smart home security. AI-powered devices could now differentiate between routine activities and potential threats with greater accuracy, significantly reducing false alarms. For instance, smart cameras could recognise familiar faces and alert users only when an unknown person approached the property. Interoperability standards also matured in 2024, led by initiatives like the Matter protocol, which XThings is firmly committed to, ensuring devices from different manufacturers work harmoniously. Overall, 2024 marked a shift toward smarter, safer, and more user-friendly home security, making advanced protection accessible to a broader audience.

2024 was an interesting year for the security marketplace. There were many new offerings and technologies that, if implemented with cybersecurity and privacy protections established, lead to changes for the better. However, some of those same new offerings, if implemented without changing defaults, will create more risks than they are mitigating. This is because most security offerings still do not have cybersecurity and privacy settings established at the strongest levels by default. Manufacturers and vendors of these types of security products have started creating them with cybersecurity and privacy controls established so that they are the defaults for their customers while also providing clear instructions for use and training that they can take to better understand the security and privacy implications and risks. Doing so helps these manufacturers and vendors to have a competitive edge, along with helping their customers to comply with laws and regulations that require such cybersecurity and privacy protections. This ultimately is one of the best changes for the better in 2024 (and going forward) for all manufacturers that build and provide such products.

The historically slow-to-adjust security marketplace underwent transformative advancements in 2024, becoming more resilient and agile. A significant shift was driven by the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning, which revolutionised cybersecurity. These technologies enabled real-time detection of patterns and anomalies, proactively blocking threats before they escalated. The demand for proactive results meant developers and manufacturers were pressed to offer more real-time tools, and they did. In addition, security operations teams embraced automation for threat detection and incident response, reducing human error and enhancing response times. This allowed professionals to focus on complex challenges with greater efficiency. And finally, in 2024, the demand for integrated security platforms surged, unifying systems like CCTV, access control, and firewalls into streamlined solutions. These innovations marked a pivotal year, positioning the security marketplace to be more resilient, agile, and better equipped to tackle sophisticated and evolving threats to meet the needs of our technologically advanced world.