With security, as with any business cost-centre, business leadership wants to find savings where they make sense. As a result, one of the trends we are seeing is that security departments are teaming up with other departments - IT, operations, marketing - to maximise their investment in security systems and leverage the data collected by their physical security sensors to inform their business strategies.
Rise in cyber-attacks
We have also seen a worrying increase in cyber-attacks, like the high-profile Mirai botnet that turned infected devices like cameras and NVRs into launch pads for malicious denial of service attacks. This attack and others highlight that cyber criminals are taking advantage of our increasingly connected world. We must focus on the security of our security systems and harden them against this type of criminal activity.
Growing demand for cybersecurity
Rising cyber-crime and its increasing threat to businesses have prompted organisations to take direct action to mitigate their risk. As a result, we expect to see a greater demand for cybersecurity malpractice insurance in the physical security space. This will become “table stakes” for security integrators who are working on projects in critical infrastructure, large-scale enterprise, and government projects.
Rise of cloud computing
We also expect 2017 to see a continued rise in the importance of cloud computing - with end-users in the security placing emphasis on term - or outcome-based ownership versus perpetual licenses. In addition to the significant cost savings and flexibility associated with this type of ownership, moving more data and computing to the Cloud will allow organisations to transfer a big piece of their cyber security risk to companies who have global teams dedicated to maintaining data security (Microsoft, Google, Amazon etc.).
Smart community security projects
In 2016, we at Genetec saw significant growth across all regions and some remarkable traction for our cloud-based offerings. Together with distributed Stratocast VSaaS offerings, our Citywise approach to sharing and collaboration in cities helped to build powerful, connected and smart community security projects.
Collaborative case management
We also took a decisive step into the world of collaborative case management with the release in October of Genetec Clearance, a cloud-based service designed to help law enforcement solve crimes more effectively by collaborating with other departments, outside agencies and the public.
We are looking forward to sustaining our rapid pace of growth and new partner relationships in 2017.
See the full coverage of 2016/2017 Review and Forecast articles here
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