Physical security - Round table discussions

Like other disciplines in the world of corporate security, executive protection is evolving from reactive to proactive. Unlike reactive bodyguards, modern executive protection professionals use a proactive approach focused on risk mitigation, advance planning, and threat intelligence to prevent incidents before they happen. What is the role of technology? We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How can physical security technology promote better executive protection?

If AI is the dominant buzzword in the physical security industry, it is the second letter (I for intelligence) that is having the biggest impact. Simply put, intelligence transforms computer systems, including those used for physical security, from rigid, rule-following calculators into adaptable, problem-solving partners to human operators. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the changing role of intelligence in physical security?

At mid-year 2026, the broader economy tells a story of resilience under pressure. Conflict in the Middle East has triggered a shock to the energy supply, driving oil prices up and reigniting global inflation. However, a total downturn has been averted. Exceptional, historic levels of business investment and data centre construction are providing a firm floor for growth, offsetting cooler consumer spending and keeping labour markets fundamentally stable. But how are changing economics impacting t...

In the simplest terms, technology modernisation accelerates when older systems become too expensive to maintain or fail to support modern standards. Market competition pushes businesses to update their technologies to meet rising customer demands. Additionally, the rapid shift toward cloud-based infrastructures and artificial intelligence creates a fear of missing out, forcing companies to adapt or risk irrelevance. Focusing on the physical security market, we asked our Expert Panel Roundtable:...

Artificial intelligence (AI) transforms physical security from a passive, reactive function into an autonomous, proactive one. Rather than just alerting human guards after an event, new systems driven by intelligent agents analyse, decide, and act in real time—handling routine deterrence, investigating anomalies, and reducing alarm fatigue. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What is agentive (or agentic) AI and how is it changing physical security?

In the world of cybersecurity, ethical hacking proactively identifies security vulnerabilities before malicious actors (i.e., unethical hackers) can exploit them. By simulating real-world attacks, organisations can strengthen defences, protect sensitive data, and maintain public trust. In the physical security world, ethical hacking can transform cybersecurity of security systems from a reactive struggle into a strategic safeguard. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the role of ethica...

Modernising a legacy physical security system requires a transition from isolated, hardware-dependent silos to an integrated, data-driven ecosystem. This transition involves shifting toward open architecture and encrypted communication to ensure long-term scalability and resilience. Other elements to facilitate upgrading a legacy system include leveraging cloud and hybrid topologies and ultimately moving toward more predictive analytics. Our Expert Panelists offer plenty of ideas for making the...

Historically, physical security systems have protected retail companies’ assets, people, and profits. Security prevents theft (shrinkage), while maintaining order and ensuring a safe environment for customers and staff. Today’s retail business is changing by leaps and bounds, driven in large part by technology advances. Newer physical security systems are finding new ways to deter crime and provide operational data, in the process preserving brand reputation and ensuring the business...

Next-generation (Next-Gen) technologies are products, services, or infrastructures that represent a significant leap forward rather than a small, incremental update. In the physical security industry, NextGen products are those that enable disruptive change, breakthrough performance, and a fundamental change that renders previous products obsolete. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the next generation of physical security solutions, and how will they change the industry?

When working in the technology marketplace, it’s always good to expect the unexpected. Increasingly, readiness to anticipate and embrace uncertainty is the baseline for survival in the world of technology. If we in the physical security industry know anything, it is that technology is in a state of perpetual disruption. Therefore, looking ahead to the next 12 months, surprises are inevitable. We turn to our Expert Panel Roundtable for guidance, asking our panelists: What will be the bigges...

Physical security innovation is accelerating due to the convergence of AI-driven automation and IoT connectivity. The trend makes you wonder: How far will physical security technologies evolve in the next decade? Already, modern systems are shifting from reactive recording to proactive prevention via real-time analytics. Additionally, the need for hybrid cloud scalability and integration with IT infrastructure is driving rapid hardware-to-software modernisation. We asked our Expert Panel Roundta...

To serve various vertical markets and industries effectively, security professionals must recognise that each sector has unique assets, risks, compliance requirements, and operational needs. Instead of offering a one-size-fits-all solution, security system providers must tailor their products, services, and integration strategies to address the distinct requirements of vertical markets. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: Which vertical markets have the greatest growth potential for physi...

Transportation systems need robust physical security to protect human life, to ensure economic stability, and to maintain national security. Because transportation involves moving large numbers of people and critical goods across vast, often interconnected infrastructure, it presents a highly attractive target for various threats. More threats equate to a greater need for security. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the emerging applications of physical security in the transportation...

Installing physical security systems requires integrating diverse technologies (e.g., cameras, access control, alarms) that often use different protocols and must be adapted to a building's unique physical layout and legacy infrastructure.  Specialised technical expertise is required for seamless networking and proper configuration. Hopefully, no important factors are overlooked in the installation process. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the most overlooked factor when inst...

The healthcare industry faces unique and significant security challenges. Healthcare security professionals must balance an open, welcoming environment for patients and visitors with the need to protect valuable assets and personnel in a high-stress, 24/7 setting. These requirements direct the physical security technologies deployed in medical facilities. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the unique aspects of the healthcare market, and how should the physical security industry ad...

The cloud fundamentally changes how organisations acquire and use technology, offering a powerful mix of financial, operational, and strategic advantages that traditional on-premises infrastructure cannot match. Specific to physical security systems, there are additional advantages transforming how technologies and systems are delivered to customers. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: Which factors are driving the deployment of cloud-based systems in physical security?

Data overload is real. Sometimes it seems we are bombarded by the sheer volume, velocity, and variety of data available in our personal lives, and in our work lives. The solution is to figure out how to make sense of the data and transform it into real information we can use. In the case of physical security systems, new opportunities are emerging every day to utilise data to make our businesses safer and better managed. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the expanding role of...

Students deserve a safe and positive environment where they can learn and thrive. Teachers and administrators should be able to focus on their primary role of educating students because they feel supported and protected by a comprehensive security plan. Staff require a clear protocol for responding to emergencies. And parents deserve peace of mind that their children are safe during the school day. One of the tools for safer schools is physical security technology. We asked our Expert Panel Roun...

Physical security and cybersecurity are deeply intertwined in today’s systems. A weakness in one realm can quickly lead to a breach in the other, and vice versa. However, given the symbiotic relationship, why do physical security systems so often fall short when it comes to cybersecurity protection? We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: Why does cybersecurity continue to be a weak link for physical security systems?

Ethics can impact a company's reputation, profitability, and overall sustainability. Ethics extend beyond the law to encompass doing the "right thing" even when it is not legally mandated. As technologies such as artificial intelligence and data sharing continue to impact the physical security industry, a focus on ethics today is timelier than ever. A commitment to moral principles is critical to build a successful, sustainable, and respected industry. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What...

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?

Future-proofing your skillset is about embracing continuous learning and developing a versatile set of competencies that remain valuable regardless of technological shifts or industry changes. In the security marketplace, it is not about predicting the exact jobs of the future, but rather equipping yourself to adapt and thrive in the uncertain security landscape. But where to begin? The emerging technology shifts in the security industry provide clues, such as the growing importance of cybersecu...

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...

In the past, security installers and integrators were used almost exclusively to install hardware. However, the role is changing and expanding along with the technologies used in the physical security industry. Nowadays, an installer or systems integrator is much more likely to use a strategic, IT-centric, and data-driven approach. To gain additional insights, we asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How is the role of the security installer/integrator changing?

The role of audio in physical security is multifaceted and increasingly vital, offering a layer of intelligence and interaction that access control and/or video surveillance alone cannot provide. Sounds provide crucial context to visual events. For instance, someone running might appear suspicious on video, but audio could reveal they are shouting for help, changing the interpretation entirely. Even so, historically speaking, audio has been an underused component in physical security. How is the...

In the physical security marketplace, artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved beyond the novelty phase. The emphasis has now shifted to the more practical aspects of implementing AI technology. That a system implements AI is no longer impressive in and of itself. The question becomes: What can this AI system do for me? How can it improve my physical security stance? We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How is artificial intelligence (AI) transforming physical security?

In many cases, architectural design and layout dictate optimal placement of security devices like cameras, access control readers, and sensors. Poor design can lead to blind spots, reduced coverage, and ineffective surveillance. However, planning that involves all the various stakeholders can maximise both security and design elements. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: When are building design and physical security systems complementary? When are they at odds?

Physical security technologies are a prominent tool used by correctional facilities to provide a safe, secure, and controlled environment for staff, inmates, and the wider community. Among several functions, security technologies are used to prevent unauthorised access, to detect contraband, to monitor inmate movements and activities, and to protect staff. For security technology manufacturers, integrators and consultants, the corrections market presents distinctive challenges. We asked our Expe...

As cutting-edge trends go, convergence has been around for at least two decades. The meaning has shifted over the years, and if anything, the idea of convergence has gotten even more aspirational. Unfortunately, the widespread use of the term has also paradoxically undermined its meaning and power. However, today's concept of convergence has matured to provide new levels of benefit for security professionals. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How has the meaning of “convergence”...