2026 Trends in retail security: Interface Systems insights

In pursuing enhanced safety and operational effectiveness by 2026, Interface Systems, a managed service provider known for its remote video monitoring and commercial security systems, has highlighted key trends poised to shape safety protocols in retail, restaurant, and broader commercial sectors.

The company foresees a pronounced shift towards proactive security measures, an increase in AI-driven analytics for operational efficiency, greater reliance on human oversight within AI systems, and stricter regulatory standards.

Proactive security measures and AI-driven solutions

Advanced video analytics are set to play a pivotal role in mitigating incidents such as loitering, vandalism

The security strategies of commercial entities, including retail and restaurant chains, car washes, and auto service centres, are expected to increasingly prioritise exterior-focused preventive measures. These initiatives aim to detect and address potential threats at an early stage, thus preventing their escalation.

Advanced video analytics are set to play a pivotal role in mitigating incidents such as loitering, vandalism, and break-ins in real time. By integrating AI-driven detection systems with remote video monitoring, businesses can thwart criminal activities before they occur, significantly reducing damage and loss costs.

Human oversight in AI-enabled security

While AI-enabled cameras have achieved high levels of accuracy in detection and classification, security strategies must address the challenge posed by continually evolving criminal tactics. As such, businesses are likely to integrate Security Operations Centre (SOC) services to provide crucial human oversight.

This hybrid approach ensures that expert analysts are on hand to manage exceptions, investigate ongoing threats, and uphold comprehensive security strategies.

Impact of regulatory changes on security protocols

Retailers failing to implement robust security measures may face substantial financial consequences

With anticipated tighter scrutiny from both insurers and lawmakers, 2026 is expected to witness an elevation in physical security standards. Retailers failing to implement robust security measures may face substantial financial consequences, such as policy cancellations.

For example, jewellers in New York risk losing insurance coverage if they lack protections against sophisticated threats, including cell jamming. Concurrently, legal requirements are intensifying; notably, the New York Retail Worker Safety Act mandates that retailers establish comprehensive violence prevention programmes and install silent response buttons for larger employers. Physical security firms must, therefore, innovate to meet new regulatory demands and satisfy insurers' stringent risk criteria.

Widespread adoption of video analytics

Beyond enhancing security, video analytics are set to become widely adopted to boost operational performance. Businesses are expected to increasingly utilise these applications to monitor factors such as service speed, drive-thru efficiency, food-handling compliance, store layout optimisation, and checkout waiting times. Additionally, video analytics will aid in managing potential safety risks like slip-and-fall incidents. These innovations aim to streamline operations, elevate customer experience, and maintain a competitive advantage.

Sean Foley, Chief Revenue Officer at Interface Systems, stated, “Looking ahead to 2026, businesses that combine proactive deterrence, AI-driven video analytics, and expert human oversight will be best positioned to stay ahead of evolving threats. To ensure long-term success in retail and restaurant security, our focus remains on developing solutions that prevent crime, enhance efficiency, and maintain compliance.”

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Interface Systems, a pioneering managed service provider delivering remote video monitoring, commercial security systems, business intelligence, and network to multi-location enterprises, outlined the security and technology trends expected to define retail, restaurant, and commercial business safety in 2026.

The company anticipates an increased shift toward proactive, exterior-focused measures, AI-driven analytics for operational efficiency, broader adoption of human oversight for AI, and heightened regulatory standards.

Proactive deterrence will lead security strategy

Commercial establishments such as retail and restaurant chains, car washes, automotive service centres, and other consumer-facing businesses are increasingly focused on securing their exteriors through preventive measures that detect and neutralise threats before they escalate.

Advanced video analytics will be central to combating loitering, vandalism, and break-ins in real-time. By leveraging AI-driven detection in conjunction with remote video monitoring, businesses can stop crime before it happens and minimise the costs associated with damage and merchandise or equipment loss.

Human oversight will enhance AI-enabled security

AI-enabled cameras are now highly accurate in detection and classification, continually improving as they learn from data. However, the most resilient security strategies acknowledge that bad actors are also constantly evolving. Hence, businesses are likely to incorporate Security Operations Centre (SOC) services to add a critical "human-in-the-loop."

This hybrid model ensures expert analysts are available to handle exceptions, investigate persistent threats, and provide the oversight needed for a truly robust security posture.

Regulatory mandates will drive security upgrades

Heightened scrutiny is expected in 2026 as both insurance providers and legislators tighten physical security standards. Retailers failing to demonstrate robust preventive measures face significant financial risks, including potential policy cancellations. For instance, New York jewellers are increasingly at risk of losing insurance coverage if they cannot certify that they have protections against specific high-tech threats, such as cell jamming.

Simultaneously, legal mandates are expanding; the New York Retail Worker Safety Act (Senate Bill S.8358-B) now requires retailers to adopt comprehensive violence prevention programs and, for larger employers, install silent response buttons. Consequently, physical security companies must pivot to developing proactive solutions that meet these new regulatory baselines and satisfy insurers' stringent risk requirements.

Video analytics will see widespread adoption

Beyond safety, the use of video analytics to improve operational performance is expected to expand. Businesses will more widely adopt applications to monitor the speed of service, drive-thru throughput, food-handling compliance, store layout gaps, checkout wait times, and risk management scenarios such as slip-and-fall detection. These tools will help retailers and restaurants streamline operations, enhance guest experiences, and maintain a competitive edge.

“Looking ahead to 2026, businesses that combine proactive deterrence, AI-driven video analytics, and expert human oversight will be best positioned to stay ahead of evolving threats,” said Sean Foley, Chief Revenue Officer at Interface Systems. “To ensure long-term success in retail and restaurant security, our focus remains on developing solutions that prevent crime, enhance efficiency, and maintain compliance.”

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