Warning Devices

The increased adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is transforming the roads, but as with any innovation, it is also creating new opportunities for criminals. Within the EU, EV sales increased 31% YoY from 2024 to 2025, spurred on by Government grants, tax and road toll exemptions, and investment in public charging infrastructure. Yet, it is this infrastructure that is increasingly targeted for its valuable equipment and components, notably copper within the charging cables. Combined with vandalism driven by anti-EV sentiment, this can cost thousands per unit for a charging operator to replace. The impact can extend far beyond the immediate cost of replacing broken equipment. A single incident can disrupt an entire charging site, leaving multiple bays unavailable and creating frustration for drivers who rely on accessible and reliable charging. In a market where customer experience and availability are critical to building trust in EV adoption, prolonged downtime can directly affect revenue, reputation and long-term customer loyalty. Public charging infrastructure The scale of the challenge is growing. German operator EnBW alone recorded more than 900 cases of cable theft at over 130 locations in 2025, resulting in damages amounting to several million euros. Danish energy company OK reported a three-fold rise in charging cable theft in the first half of 2025. And across the UK, more than 200 incidents of theft and vandalism against EV chargers were reported between 2022 and mid-2025. This figure is likely only part of the picture, with many incidents going unreported and some police forces unable to provide relevant data. The issue is not limited to the UK. In Germany, charging operator EnBW reported more than 900 cases of cable theft across more than 130 locations in 2025, resulting in damages of several million euros. As charging networks continue to expand, the number of vulnerable assets available to criminals will inevitably increase. Personal charging cables There are several reasons why EV charging infrastructure is under threat, from the high scrap value of copper and the ease of removing this from charging stations, to the remote locations of many charging stations that make it difficult for operators to continuously monitor. In minutes, thieves can use bolt cutters to remove charging cables. Personal charging cables are also targets, being unplugged while in use at charging stations or when left in the boot of a car. Some charging operators have also reported vandalism linked to opposition towards EV adoption. Plus, unlike traditional petrol forecourts, many EV charging locations operate without permanent staff presence. Chargers are often installed in car parks, retail locations, roadside areas and other remote sites where incidents can occur without immediate intervention. Advanced video analytics Investing in a comprehensive video security solution can make a significant difference, supporting operators in a proactive approach that prevents damage from occurring in the first place. Video surveillance in car park environments can reduce crime by up to 37% and by up to 52% if the system is actively monitored. Modern cameras are equipped with advanced video analytics and AI that help operators identify unusual activity, spot repeat offenders, and provide real-time alerts to aid faster intervention from ground teams. Positioning such cameras to provide complete coverage of charging bays, entrances and exits ensures that operators can maintain visibility across the entire charging environment. AI-powered analytics can identify unusual behaviour, such as a person entering a charging bay when no vehicle is present or a vehicle remaining in a charging area for an extended period without actively using the charger. Virtual alarm zones Real-time alerts can help security teams respond quickly, while integrated deterrence measures, such as triggered lighting or audible warnings, can help prevent incidents before significant damage is caused. This type of intelligent monitoring enables security teams to focus on genuine exceptions rather than constantly reviewing hours of footage. For example, virtual alarm zones can automatically adjust based on expected activity. When a vehicle is charging normally, the system recognises the activity as expected. Once the vehicle leaves, the area can automatically return to an active monitoring state, triggering an alert if someone enters the space without a legitimate reason. Cloud-based recording Jack Turnell, Commercial Product Manager agrees, stating that “The real value comes from turning intelligent detection into a coordinated response. By connecting camera analytics with cloud-based monitoring, alarm management and remote incident tools, operators can protect distributed charging sites from anywhere while also improving uptime and operational efficiency.” Taking a more proactive approach to EV charging station security offers benefits beyond theft prevention. When incidents do occur, cloud-based recording and remote incident management provide operators with critical evidence to support investigations and insurance claims. Evidence can also be shared with law enforcement to prevent repeat offences and wider gang-related targeting. Monitoring charging infrastructure health Security systems can also support wider operational efficiency by monitoring charging infrastructure health. Through integration with charging units, operators can receive proactive notifications when equipment requires attention, helping reduce unexpected outages and maintain availability. As John Lutz Boorman, Head of Product and Marketing at Hanwha Vision Europe, explains, “Video has evolved beyond being merely a cost centre. When intelligently deployed, it can deliver a measurable return by helping operators prevent costly incidents, reduce downtime and maintain the availability of their charging network. By combining high-quality video with intelligent analytics and integration with charging infrastructure, operators gain greater visibility of their assets and can act earlier when something is wrong. The result is a security investment that can help reduce operational costs while protecting revenue, customer experience and the long-term value of the charging network.” AI-powered analytics As EV adoption continues to grow, protecting charging infrastructure will become increasingly important. Reliability is not just a technical requirement; it is a fundamental part of building confidence among drivers and businesses investing in a new EV. A smarter approach to security can help operators stay ahead of emerging threats. By combining high-quality cameras, AI-powered analytics and proactive monitoring, EV charging providers can protect valuable assets, minimise disruption and create safer, more dependable charging experiences for everyone.

Excelerate Technology Awarded a Co-funded ESA Contract to Deliver Advanced Robotic Security Solution for UK National Infrastructure Excelerate Technology has been awarded a co-funded contract by the European Space Agency Business Applications and Space Solutions (ESA BASS) program to build and demonstrate an innovative, automated robotic response system for perimeter security at a critical UK national infrastructure site. Critical national infrastructure Co-funded by ESA BASS and supported by the UK Space Agency, Project OVERVIEW demonstrates how space-enabled assets can directly solve safety challenges, integrating satellite communications with ground and aerial robotics to protect critical national infrastructure. When perimeter alarms trigger, the system coordinates ground robots and aerial drones to rapidly deploy and investigate incidents. Supported by Excelerate’s resilient satellite and cellular connectivity, the system ensures uninterrupted, real-time data transmission between robotic platforms and both on-site and remote security control centres, even in challenging operational environments. Deploying human responders As part of the trial, Project OVERVIEW will leverage the Nokia Drone Networks 'drone-in-a-box' system. Deployed in an automated, weather-resistant docking station, the aerial drone can launch autonomously to provide Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) surveillance. By combining Nokia’s industrial drone technology with Excelerate’s hybrid satellite and cellular connectivity, the system ensures seamless video and data streaming back to security teams even if terrestrial communications are compromised. By reaching alarm locations rapidly, the autonomous system allows security teams to identify and assess high-risk situations from a safe distance before deploying human responders. Advanced connectivity experience "As a technology developer and systems integrator, this project brings our advanced connectivity experience together with innovative robotics to solve a real-world challenge," said Bethan Evans, Chief Operating Officer at Excelerate Technology. "Critical national infrastructure is a global priority for protection. Working closely with infrastructure operators puts us in the best position to build and demonstrate impactful solutions utilising the right technology for the situation." "ESA Space Solutions are pleased to support Excelerate Technology in developing innovative applications which leverage Satellite Communication to improve safety of critical infrastructure." – Maria Zaretskaya, Space Applications Officer at European Space Agency.

Sector-led film brings university leaders, security specialists and frontline officers together to explain what institutions should be doing now. The Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO) is launching a new video urging universities and higher education institutions to use the implementation period for Martyn’s Law to ensure their security and emergency arrangements are ready. Supporting higher education institutions The film brings together university leaders, strategic security specialists and frontline campus security professionals to explain what the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 means for higher education and the practical steps that institutions should be taking now to protect students, staff and visitors. It accompanies AUCSO’s TO PROTECT Model: A Practical Approach for Implementing Protect Duty (Martyn’s Law) Responsibilities – a sector-led framework developed specifically to support higher education institutions as they prepare for the new legislation. At the heart of both is a clear message: preparing for Martyn’s Law is about more than compliance. It is about an institution’s fundamental duty of care to its students, staff, visitors and wider community. Strategic security management The film features contributions from Professor Shearer West CBE, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Leeds; Dilip Amin, Executive Chair of AUCSO’s CONTEST Special Interest Group and Security Services Manager at the University of Reading; Geoff Brown, Chair of AUCSO; and a campus security officer, bringing perspectives from institutional leadership, strategic security management, sector representation and frontline campus security. Together, they explore the responsibilities Martyn’s Law will place on higher education institutions, the importance of senior accountability and cross-university collaboration, and the practical measures required to protect students, staff and visitors. Public-facing nature Geoff Brown, Chair of AUCSO, said: “Martyn’s Law represents an important moment for our sector. Universities now have an opportunity to review, test and strengthen their arrangements before the legislation comes into force. Our message is simple: use this implementation period well. Good preparedness is not only about meeting the requirements of the Act; it is about ensuring our university communities are as safe, resilient and well prepared as they can be.” Universities thrive on being open, welcoming and accessible. However, their size, complexity and public-facing nature mean that many institutions operate numerous premises and events which may fall within the scope of Martyn’s Law. Enhanced-tier threshold Large lecture theatres, graduation venues, accommodation complexes, sports facilities and other university spaces may fall within the enhanced tier. Importantly, the legislation allows a “premises” to comprise a building, part of a building or a group of buildings and associated land, meaning many university campuses are likely to meet the enhanced-tier threshold when considered as a whole. The video explains four essential areas of preparedness: Communication – warning staff, students and members of the public quickly, while providing the police and emergency services with vital information. Evacuation – moving people safely away from danger. Invacuation – directing people into secure internal locations. Lockdown – securing premises to prevent entry or exit where necessary. Clearly defined accountability It also considers physical protection measures including hostile vehicle mitigation, CCTV, surveillance and access control, alongside the importance of governance, risk assessment, training and clearly defined accountability. Julie Barker, Chief Operating Officer of AUCSO, said: “Universities are among the most open, diverse and complex environments in the country. That openness is fundamental to university life, but it also means that institutions must think carefully about how they prepare for and respond to serious incidents. Martyn’s Law should not be viewed simply as a compliance exercise. Protecting students, staff and visitors is a shared institutional responsibility and an essential part of the pastoral commitment universities make to their communities.” “The TO PROTECT Model and the new video, called Martyn’s Law TO PROTECT, bring perspectives together from university leadership, strategic security management and frontline campus security. They have been developed by people who understand both the institutional responsibilities created by Martyn’s Law and the practical realities of protecting complex university environments.” Establishing clear responsibility The video highlights the importance of establishing clear responsibility at senior level. Under Martyn’s Law, the responsible person and, where applicable, the senior designated individual will have important duties in relation to ensuring that an institution meets the requirements of the legislation. It also encourages universities to examine how their existing emergency plans align with the Act and to ensure that procedures are understood, coordinated and regularly tested. AUCSO is already actively engaged with the Security Industry Authority, which will regulate Martyn’s Law, including involvement in the testing of systems and the development of regulatory guidance.  It is also working with the NaCTSO, and the Department for Education to help ensure that the particular characteristics and requirements of higher education are properly understood as preparations for implementation continue. Fast-moving incident To strengthen collaboration across the sector, AUCSO established Higher Education Associations Group. The group brings together relevant organisations to share information, expertise and emerging guidance and to support a coordinated approach to Martyn’s Law across higher education. Julie continued: “Universities are not starting from scratch. The sector already has considerable expertise in protective security, emergency management, business continuity and major event planning. The priority now is to review those arrangements through the lens of Martyn’s Law. Institutions need to ask whether responsibilities are clear, whether plans connect effectively across different departments and premises, and whether those plans would work in practice during a fast-moving incident.” “No single university or security team should have to approach this work in isolation. By working together, sharing expertise and engaging constructively with the SIA and the Department for Education, we can help create safer and more resilient university communities.” The video concludes by encouraging institutions to adopt a proactive mindset and use the implementation period to ensure that their security and emergency plans are ready.

Euralarm and the Confederation of European Security Services (CoESS) have published an updated edition of their Cybersecurity Guidelines for the Security and Fire Safety Industry. The revised publication provides practical guidance for organisations across the sector as cybersecurity becomes an increasingly important operational, technical and regulatory requirement. The growing connectivity of fire safety and security systems brings significant benefits, including remote monitoring and maintenance, faster access to information and greater integration between systems. At the same time, connectivity introduces cybersecurity risks that need to be addressed throughout the complete lifecycle of systems and services. Alarm response services The updated guidelines therefore take a broad approach to cybersecurity. They are intended for organisations involved in product development, system design, installation and maintenance, monitoring and alarm response services. The publication combines organisational recommendations with practical technical measures and guidance for working with customers and other partners in the security chain. An important reason for updating the publication is the rapidly developing European cybersecurity regulatory framework. The new edition provides an overview of legislation relevant to the fire safety and security sector, including the NIS2 Directive and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA). The guidelines also address other relevant European legislation, including the EU Cybersecurity Act, GDPR, the Radio Equipment Directive and the AI Act. Providing practical recommendations Rather than treating cybersecurity solely as a product or IT issue, the updated publication considers risks and responsibilities throughout the security and fire safety value chain. A central element is a five-pillar lifecycle approach covering products, project design, installation and maintenance, monitoring, and alarm response. For each stage, the guidelines identify relevant risks and provide practical recommendations for reducing them. The updated guidelines also emphasise the human and organisational dimensions of cybersecurity. Companies are encouraged to establish clear cybersecurity governance, define responsibilities, maintain inventories of connected IT and OT assets, conduct regular risk assessments and put business-continuity and incident-response procedures in place. Ongoing awareness programmes Training and awareness are equally important. Recommendations include cybersecurity training for management, compliance, procurement and technical personnel, as well as ongoing awareness programmes for employees. The guidelines also underline the importance of cooperation between customers, suppliers and service providers so that cybersecurity responsibilities are maintained throughout the lifetime of a system or service. To support organisations in implementing these measures, the publication includes references to relevant cybersecurity standards and work in progress. The updated ‘Cybersecurity Guidelines for the Security and Fire Safety Industry’ can be downloaded here or from the websites of Euralarm and CoESS.

Teledyne FLIR's A40 and A70 (Axx-Series) thermal imaging cameras are the first models to achieve UL 2684 listing. They are listed as thermal image fire detectors under ANSI/CAN/UL 2684, the Standard for Video and Thermal Image Detectors for Fire Alarm Systems. Although UL 2684 is a North American standard, the Teledyne FLIR milestone has important implications for Europe. European fire detection is supported by a mature standards and certification environment covering established technologies such as smoke, point heat, aspirating, and flame detection. National certification schemes Radiometric thermal image detection has no harmonised European product standard of its own, and is addressed through project-specific approval pathways and national certification schemes, including VdS in Germany and CNPP in France. These pathways support the assessment of systems that continuously measure temperature across a scene and identify abnormal heat before smoke or flame develops. EN 54-10 covers flame detection, including the flame-response capability of certified thermal cameras. UL 2684 is written specifically for video and thermal image detectors, evaluating and testing them as fire detection devices. Thermal image fire detectors In the United States, the 2025 edition of NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, created a dedicated category for thermal image fire detection (Sec. 17.12), which requires thermal image fire detection systems to be listed for the purpose of fire detection. UL 2684 is a North American product standard that provides an independent benchmark for the performance of video and thermal image fire detectors. In Europe, it can support the technical evidence presented through the applicable European approval pathway. European regulatory requirements, CE marking obligations, relevant EN 54 standards, national certification schemes such as VdS and CNPP continue to apply, and the approving authority determines project acceptance. Defined response criteria “Fire engineers work from evidence, and the strongest evidence is a published benchmark with an accredited laboratory behind it,” said Matthew Hasty, Global Vertical Director for Science, Automation, and Early Fire Detection at Teledyne FLIR. “That is what the listing adds for Europe. It gives the people building the technical case something independent to build on.” What the listing changes is the strength of the evidence behind the specification. A consultant, a risk engineer, or a fire protection professional can now put forward a detector whose fire performance has been tested against a published benchmark by an accredited laboratory and show the reviewer where that benchmark came from. Calibrated measuring instrument That benchmark is concrete: flaming wood, flammable liquid, and polyurethane fires with defined response criteria, plus the environmental, electrical, and durability programme around them. In a submission that has to be argued rather than ticked off against a standard, that is a considerably stronger position than manufacturer test data. The listing tests fire performance. The everyday value sits in the instrumentation. A radiometric thermal camera is a calibrated measuring instrument, not a camera that renders heat in colour. Every pixel in the scene reports a temperature, many times a second. Teledyne FLIR Early Fire Detection solutions monitor defined regions of interest and report minimum, average, and maximum values for each, with alarms set on absolute thresholds, on the difference between regions, and on rate of rise. Temperature based monitoring The system responds to how heat is behaving rather than only to how hot something is, and it leaves a record: a measured value, a location in the scene, a history behind it. That record is what an approving authority or an underwriter can actually review. Demand is coming from operators. Waste and recycling sites deal with deep-seated fires in stored material. Manufacturers run bearings, motors, and hydraulic lines that heat up well before they ignite. Battery energy storage installations face thermal runaway. Data centres concentrate electrical load, and a failing connection runs hot long before it smokes. Rooftop solar arrays develop hotspots at connectors and modules, often on roofs with no conventional detector at all. In each case, thermal imaging provides continuous temperature based monitoring that can identify developing heat conditions before smoke, flame, or conventional heat thresholds are reached. Providing independent evidence Thermal imaging is line-of-sight, so a camera protects what is in its field of view. In practice that means specific high-value assets: a switchboard, a battery enclosure, a conveyor run. It works alongside conventional detection rather than in place of it. The cameras are also multispectral: detection is thermal, while an integrated visible camera supplies the picture, so an alarm arrives with video of what caused it. An operator can see what they are dealing with before stopping a line, and a stoppage that turns out to have been unnecessary is money the site never gets back. For projects being designed in Europe today, the UL 2684 listing provides independent evidence that can strengthen the specification and approval case. It works alongside the applicable European, national, and project-specific approval pathway

Advanced has launched a new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) seminar exploring how connected technology, cloud-based monitoring and intelligent data are transforming the management of fire detection systems. The new CPD, ‘The Evolution of Smart Fire System Management’, has been developed to help building owners, facilities managers, responsible persons and fire safety professionals understand how digital technologies can improve the way fire systems are monitored, maintained and managed. Fire safety responsibilities The one-hour seminar examines how smart fire system management can provide greater visibility of system status, support faster decision-making and enable users to respond more quickly to events without needing to be physically present at the fire panel. As buildings become more connected and fire safety responsibilities continue to evolve, the CPD explores the growing importance of data-led approaches to fire system management. Topics covered include cloud-based monitoring, real-time notifications, remote access, digital record-keeping and the role these technologies can play in supporting the golden thread of building safety information and helping organisations maintain accessible, up-to-date fire safety data. Fire system management Attendees will gain an understanding of what smart fire system management is, how it differs from traditional fire system monitoring and how connected platforms can be used to manage standalone fire panels, networked fire systems and multi-site portfolios through a single interface. The seminar also explores the benefits this can bring to responsible persons, premises managers, first responders and maintenance providers. The seminar also examines the practical benefits of connected fire system management, including improved safety, reduced administration, faster response times, lower operational costs and sustainability advantages. In addition, it addresses key considerations around cybersecurity, user access controls, audit trails, secure data storage and ISO 27001 compliance. Wider smart building ecosystems Looking to the future, the CPD explores emerging developments including predictive analytics, artificial intelligence and integration with wider smart building ecosystems, helping attendees understand how the next generation of fire system management is likely to evolve. The free CPD is delivered online by members of the Advanced team and is certified by The CPD Certification Service. Participants who successfully complete the course receive a certificate of attendance. The seminar is suitable for fire engineers, consultants, system designers, contractors, installers, facilities and building managers, duty holders, responsible persons and anyone seeking to better understand the role of connected technology in modern fire safety management. Advanced now offers a growing portfolio of CPD-certified training modules covering a range of fire safety topics, including fire detection and alarm systems, false alarm management, smoke control systems and BS 8629 evacuation alert systems.

When news broke that a Renoir painting had been stolen from an exhibition in the south of France, days after 600 diamonds were taken from a museum in Vienna, few in the art or security worlds would have been surprised. Europol had recently published “Changing Tactics, Changing Targets: The Evolving Nature of Museum Heists,” highlighting criminals’ growing focus on high-value objects and their increasing use of force. The latest theft also echoes the Louvre heist almost a year ago, both in how quickly it unfolded and in the security lessons it exposes. When every second counts Both French museum thefts happened in broad daylight. Both were fast. CCTV from the Renoir museum shows the perpetrators cutting through the perimeter fence early in the morning. Police were reportedly on site within five minutes of the alarm being raised. It still wasn’t fast enough. That matters. For many museums and galleries, simply building higher walls or stronger fences isn’t an option As criminals become bolder, custodians of national treasures and high-value objects need to rethink where protection begins. For many museums and galleries, simply building higher walls or stronger fences isn’t an option. These buildings are often architectural landmarks and public spaces. Turning them into fortresses defeats the point. But there is another lever security teams can pull: earlier detection. A few extra seconds of warning could give on-site security or nearby police the time they need to intervene before a work of art disappears. Forget the Hollywood lasers The cover of Europol’s museum heist report shows a criminal wielding a mallet in front of artefacts protected by red laser beams. It is the kind of security system made famous by films including “Entrapment,” “Ocean’s Twelve” and “The Thomas Crown Affair.” Virtual perimeters aren’t science fiction. But the technology available today looks very different. Museums and galleries need stronger protection without compromising their architecture or the visitor experience. One technology attracting attention is LiDAR, a spatial sensing system that uses lasers to understand what is happening within a physical environment An invisible perimeter The technology sends out laser pulses and takes millions of spatial measurements every second LiDAR is already used in environments ranging from railway stations and prisons to electricity substations. Its appeal lies in its accuracy and flexibility. It can operate indoors and outdoors, integrate with existing cameras, alarms and sensors and strengthen security without major physical alterations to a site. The technology sends out laser pulses and takes millions of spatial measurements every second, building a three-dimensional picture of its surroundings. Security teams can use that data to create virtual zones around a building, room or individual exhibit. Those zones can be changed as the site changes. Three-dimensional picture A museum perimeter, for example, might remain protected around the clock. A gallery being prepared for a new exhibition could be temporarily excluded while authorised staff work inside it. Once the zone becomes active again, an intrusion can trigger an immediate alert. The same principle can work while a museum is open. If someone gets too close to an exhibit, crowds begin to form or a person remains in a sensitive area, the system can alert staff or bring up feeds from relevant cameras. That means security teams can focus their attention where it is needed instead of relying on someone to spot every incident across banks of CCTV screens. Seeing what cameras can miss During an attempted robbery, LiDAR can identify the location and movement of people and vehicles During an attempted robbery, LiDAR can identify the location and movement of people and vehicles, including their direction and speed. It also has a significant advantage over conventional CCTV: it does not depend on external light. Detection can continue in bright daylight or complete darkness. That makes the perimeter less about a physical barrier and more about knowing, instantly, when someone crosses a line they shouldn’t. Security before the doors even open The technology can do more than detect intruders. Walk-through simulations allow teams to move through a virtual version of a site much as they would navigate an open-world computer game. Before an exhibition changes, teams can test how a new layout could affect visitor movement, identify blind spots and bottlenecks and assess evacuation routes. That gives security teams the chance to find problems before visitors arrive, not after something goes wrong. Protect the art, not the fortress Museums and galleries face a fundamental tension: make art and culture accessible while protecting objects that can be culturally irreplaceable and financially priceless. The answer cannot simply be more barriers. The next generation of museum security needs to detect threats sooner without getting between visitors and the works they came to see. The strongest perimeter may be the one nobody notices.

Security is a top priority for any organisation responsible for safeguarding critical infrastructure. However, recent events have highlighted the fragility of the global energy supply chain and the need for change. When tankers cannot safely navigate the Strait of Hormuz, fuel prices rise and public anxiety grows. This often results in long lines at the fuel pump and fears of shortages quickly becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. The reality is that critical infrastructure will always be a target because those seeking to disrupt, cause harm or force change — militarily, economically, politically or socially — understand both its physical and psychological impact. Regulating for resilience While headlines focus on political debates over who should keep shipping lanes open, critical infrastructure organisations and governments are moving forward with new physical and cyber safeguards to protect sites closer to home. Before recent Middle East events, CISA’s 2025 review outlined efforts to strengthen U.S. securityWeeks before recent events in the Middle East, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released its 2025 review outlining major actions taken to strengthen national cyber and physical defences. Meanwhile, in Europe, the Critical Entities Resilience (CER) Directive will take effect across the EU in July, with member states such as Germany advancing early through its KRITIS framework to establish a model for CER compliance. These initiatives extend to energy supplies, from power stations (gas, electricity and nuclear), refineries and pipelines, substations, water treatment facilities, data centres and food production. And while increased investment in renewable energy may reduce reliance on overseas supply, wind and solar farms remain potential targets as well. Fortunately, the likelihood of missile strikes on critical infrastructure is low in many regions. But the risks of trespassing, espionage, sabotage, terrorism and protest activity are far higher. Protection and detection Security levels vary widely across critical infrastructure.  A large power station may employ live-monitored CCTV, video analytics, alarms, sensors, access control, fencing and other heightened defences. In contrast, a rural electrical substation may rely on a single unmonitored camera, a perimeter fence and a basic alarm. Despite significant annual investment, organisations often lack the ability to connect these systems. Without integrated systems, real-time situational awareness — understanding what happened, how it began, what is occurring now and how to respond — is nearly impossible. Operators typically manage large portfolios of sites spread over vast and often challenging geographies. Only by integrating siloed systems and linking multiple sites into a centralised operation can true enterprise-wide visibility be achieved. Video management system A centralised insight layer (PSIM) ensures incidents are detected using all available resources For example, a perimeter breach at a substation might initially appear to be an isolated incident. But combined with a similar incident at another site, it could indicate the start of a coordinated attack. A centralised insight layer (often referred to as a PSIM — Physical Security Information Management system) ensures incidents are detected using all available resources. A perimeter alarm — triggered by a steel fence sensor or a 3D LiDAR system — initiates an alert and the video management system automatically displays the relevant live camera feed and recent footage. Operators can follow predefined workflows to lock down areas, dispatch first responders or initiate evacuations. Automated actions, such as playing recorded announcements over public address systems, can also occur. Rapid, effective response is essential for safety, security and ensuring uninterrupted service to customers. Resilient supply chains require security measures that function from the source to the point of service. Recent geopolitical and environmental events, such as severe flooding, have shown how quickly disruption to one link can trigger widespread consequences. However, critical infrastructure operators can strengthen resilience by leveraging the robust systems they already have, improving their ability to detect and respond to threats.

A security camera installed today has more AI processing power than the systems that guided early autonomous vehicle prototypes. And yet the operator who mounts that camera on a wall will, in all likelihood, never use most of that capability.  Industry surveys bear this out: a wide gap persists between the number of security professionals who believe AI can improve outcomes and the much smaller share who have adopted it operationally. The reason has nothing to do with the silicon and everything to do with how the industry has asked people to configure these systems. The problem is not that the industry lacks algorithms. The problem is that physical security has never found a scalable way to personalise systems for each site. The personalisation dilemma hiding in plain sight The problem is that physical security has never found a scalable way to personalise systems for each site A surveillance deployment at an airport, a retail chain, a school campus, and a logistics yard can look strikingly similar in hardware terms. Each installation uses image sensors, edge processors, network connectivity, and a management layer. What changes is what the operator cares about. At a school entrance, the priority might be perimeter approach after hours and controlled access during the day. At a loading dock, the concern is tailgating, vehicle dwell time, and safety incidents near forklifts. At an airport, the operator may need queue-flow analytics one moment, unattended-item detection the next, and then a search for a specific person of interest carrying a particular bag. At a retail store, loss prevention teams want to correlate customer flow patterns with point-of-sale data and identify suspicious behaviour near high-value merchandise. This range of needs forces a reality that the industry has acknowledged in principle but never resolved in practice: the application pool across the market is vast, yet each individual site typically requires only a narrow set of outcomes. Each deployment needs personalisation once, at commissioning, and then again whenever the environment or the risk profile shifts. The app store that never became a market For the better part of a decade, the industry’s most visible answer to the personalisation problem was the “app store” model. The logic was straightforward: curate a marketplace of trained neural network algorithms, let integrators browse a catalogue, and download the right analytic for each job. Queue counting for a passport control hall. License plate recognition for a parking structure. Occupancy monitoring for a conference room. The concept borrowed directly from the consumer smartphone approach. In practice, it never matched physical security’s purchasing and operating rhythm. A phone owner discovers and downloads new apps continuously. A physical security deployment selects one or two analytics functions at installation and rarely revisits them. Another maintenance burden A queue-counting algorithm trained on airport data is excellent at queue counting The economic incentive to maintain, curate, and update a broad catalogue across a fragmented ecosystem of camera OEMs, VMS platforms, and system integrators never materialised when the average buyer drew from only a thin slice of it. And the question of who would operate such a marketplace across that fragmented landscape was never satisfactorily answered. The deeper issue is that distribution was not the hard part. Personalisation was. A queue-counting algorithm trained on airport data is excellent at queue counting. It does not naturally become a general-purpose security tool for whatever the operator needs next. Once a model is trained for a narrow task, adaptation requires another project, another integration cycle, and another maintenance burden. AI-enabled cameras The examples that do exist are instructive. Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands has used trained camera systems for over a decade to measure queue length at passport control and alert staff when additional counters should open. Rome trailed AI-enabled cameras to track pedestrian wait times at crosswalks, measure bus queue length, and monitor parking occupancy to support active transport and reduce vehicle emissions. These are effective, well-regarded deployments. They also illustrate the limitation: each required its own trained model, its own integration effort, and its own maintenance cycle. The queue-counting camera at Schiphol cannot be redeployed to detect an abandoned bag. That is a separate algorithm, a separate procurement, and a separate project. What changes with agentic AI Applied to physical security, this translates into a simpler commissioning experience Agentic AI points to a fundamentally different approach. An agentic system can receive goals expressed in natural language, determine the appropriate actions to fulfil those goals, execute those actions using available tools, and verify the results. Applied to physical security, this translates into a simpler commissioning experience: the operator expresses intent in plain language, and the system configures itself to achieve that intent. Consider the practical implications. An installer commissioning cameras at a retail location could type or speak a set of instructions: “Alert the manager if more than five people are waiting at checkout for longer than two minutes.” A facilities director could ask the system to “Track vehicles that enter the east parking lot after 9 p.m. and flag any that remain for more than 30 minutes.” A school security coordinator might specify: “Notify campus police if anyone approaches the perimeter fence between midnight and 5 a.m.” Appropriate perception capabilities None of these instructions require the operator to select a specific analytic from a catalogue, configure a detection model, or define pixel-level zones in a complex VMS interface. The system interprets the intent, selects the appropriate perception capabilities, configures thresholds and context, and validates behaviour over time. When the operator’s needs change, a new instruction replaces the old one. The camera hardware stays the same. The AI adapts. This is the core of the shift: minimal user input, maximum flexibility, and a security system that personalises itself without requiring the operator to navigate the traditional customise-certify-deploy cycle. Vision language models make it practical A conventional neural network trained for people counting can count people The enabling technology is the vision language model, or VLM. A VLM combines visual encoders with language reasoning, allowing it to interpret images or video in the context of natural language prompts. This is a qualitative leap beyond traditional convolutional neural networks, which classify or detect predefined objects and have no mechanism for open-ended interpretation. A conventional neural network trained for people counting can count people. It cannot distinguish between a crowd of commuters exiting a train station and a crowd assembling in protest. A VLM, by integrating contextual reasoning with visual analysis, can draw inferences that a task-specific model cannot. It can assess behavioural patterns, interpret spatial relationships, and respond to queries about scenes it has never been explicitly trained to analyse. Where a neural network might register two people carrying objects, a VLM could infer whether the scene suggests travellers with luggage or workers transporting equipment, provided the visual context supports that inference. Supporting multimodal input This matters in physical security because operational questions are rarely phrased as taxonomy labels. Operators want to express outcomes. They want to say “show me anything unusual near the loading bay after hours,” and the system should be able to reason about what “unusual” means given the site context. VLMs also support multimodal input. Audio cues such as a raised voice, a scream, an alarm, or breaking glass can contribute to scene interpretation when paired with video. In security applications, where events routinely unfold across both visual and auditory channels, this capability adds a meaningful layer of situational awareness. The edge constraint that forces discipline Large language models in the cloud use hundreds of billions of parameters and consume hundreds of watts None of this works if the architecture assumes data centre conditions. Most surveillance cameras operate under strict power and thermal limits. Power over Ethernet (PoE), the standard delivery mechanism, typically provides between 15 and 30 watts depending on the PoE class, and only a fraction of that budget is available for AI processing after the sensor, ISP, video encoder, and network stack have taken their share. In many installations, the AI workload must fit within a few watts. Large language models in the cloud use hundreds of billions of parameters and consume hundreds of watts. That scale does not translate to a camera mounted on a pole or embedded in a ceiling tile. For agentic AI to work at the edge of a physical security network, the models must be compact, efficient, and designed for the purpose. Neural network acceleration This is where smaller, domain-specific VLMs become essential. Models trained on industry-relevant image and text datasets, combined with techniques such as pruning, quantisation, and parameter-efficient fine-tuning, can deliver meaningful visual reasoning within the compute and memory constraints of an edge processor. The result is a VLM that fits inside a camera’s power budget and still responds to natural language instructions with useful accuracy. Ambarella’s CVflow AI architecture, now in its third generation, was designed for this class of workload. The architecture integrates advanced neural network acceleration with high-resolution image signal processing and video encoding on a single system-on-chip, allowing cameras to run complex AI inference alongside their core imaging functions without exceeding the thermal and power boundaries that define edge deployments. The company's latest addition to its portfolio, the 4-nanometer CV7, runs CNNs and vision language models concurrently across multiple video streams while consuming 20 percent less power than its predecessor. For infrastructure and robotic applications requiring heavier models, the 5-nanometer N1 family supports multimodal LLMs in multi-camera configurations. Distributing intelligence across far edge, near edge, and cloud This tier must respond in milliseconds and operate within a fixed power envelope A workable agentic architecture for physical security distributes intelligence across three tiers, each matched to the processing demands and latency requirements of its role. At the far edge, inside the camera itself, the processor handles real-time perception: object detection, tracking, zone logic, and initial event classification. This tier must respond in milliseconds and operate within a fixed power envelope. At the near edge, on a local gateway or network video recorder, a more capable processor orchestrates across multiple cameras, maintains state, correlates events, retrieves site-specific policies and procedures, and classifies incidents requiring more context than any single camera provides. At the cloud/server tier, available when connectivity permits, the system accesses heavier models for forensic analysis, fleet-wide analytics, model updates, and long-horizon reporting. Periodic cloud access This tiered approach keeps the most time-sensitive decisions local, where latency is lowest and data privacy is strongest. It also means agentic capabilities can scale incrementally. A small installation might run entirely at the far edge with periodic cloud access. A large campus might employ all three tiers, with near-edge orchestration coordinating PTZ patrol patterns across dozens of cameras while the cloud generates shift summaries and updates models based on fleet-wide telemetry. In practice, a security workflow built on this pattern often combines real-time detection at the far edge, behaviour-tree orchestration at the near edge for multi-camera coordination, local retrieval over site playbooks, and conservative safe-mode escalation when system confidence is low. The discipline of deterministic guardrails and structured verification loops is essential in security operations, where unpredictable system behaviour is not acceptable. A hybrid future, with VLMs orchestrating specialist models The transition to agentic AI does not eliminate specialised neural networks The transition to agentic AI does not eliminate specialised neural networks. Purpose-trained models will continue to deliver superior accuracy for well-defined, high-frequency tasks such as license plate recognition, face matching, and fire and smoke detection. In a mature agentic system, the VLM acts as an orchestrator. It handles open-ended perception and natural language interaction while routing to specialised models when a task demands their precision. A PTZ camera at a transportation hub might receive the instruction “monitor the west concourse for unattended items.” The VLM interprets the request, manages the interface, and reasons over broader scene context. Real-time video processing When it identifies a candidate object, it routes to a dedicated abandoned-item classifier optimised for that specific validation step. The VLM orchestrates. The specialist model validates. The operator receives a refined, actionable alert. That hybrid pattern places specific demands on the silicon. The processor must support both traditional CNN inference and generative AI workloads simultaneously while maintaining real-time video processing within the same power envelope. The value of a tightly integrated SoC, one that combines an advanced ISP, a deep learning accelerator, and a video encoder on a single die, is that it eliminates the multi-chip complexity and power overhead that would otherwise make this approach impractical at the edge. Making agentic AI deployable for the ecosystem Ambarella’s Developer Zone, launched at CES 2026, provides a centralised portal of tools Physical security is built on a broad ecosystem of camera OEMs, VMS providers, independent software vendors, module builders, and system integrators. For agentic AI to reach the market at scale, these participants need model-ready tooling, reference workflows, and a practical path from prototype to production. This is where developer ecosystems become part of the story. Ambarella’s Developer Zone, launched at CES 2026, provides a centralised portal of tools, optimised AI models, agentic blueprints, low-code templates, and documentation aimed at accelerating edge AI application development on Ambarella’s SoCs. Common software stack ISVs and integrators can evaluate models, prototype applications, and deploy using a common software stack that spans the company’s CV7 and N1 SoC families through the Cooper development platform. That consistency across the product range reduces per-project engineering cost and accelerates time-to-market for partners building perception and analytics solutions. The point is broader than any single portal: agentic systems require components that have already been tested and optimised for edge deployment, so that integrators can focus on solving their customers' problems rather than rebuilding the AI pipeline from scratch. The ecosystem participants who lead the transition to agentic AI in physical security will be the ones with access to tooling that fits into their existing development and deployment processes. What comes next Physical security has searched for years for a scalable answer to personalisation Physical security has searched for years for a scalable answer to personalisation. The app store model did not provide it. Manual configuration, while functional on a per-site basis, scales poorly across large portfolios of cameras and changing operational requirements. Agentic AI offers a credible path forward because it aligns with how operators actually think. They express outcomes, not model specifications. They want systems that adapt to new requirements without repeated engineering cycles. Traditional neural networks With VLMs as the interface layer, smaller domain-specific models at the far edge, orchestration at the near edge, and disciplined verification loops throughout, personalisation can become a standard part of deployment rather than a custom project. The building blocks are now in place. Power-efficient edge AI processors can run VLMs and traditional neural networks simultaneously. Developer ecosystems are maturing to support rapid prototyping and deployment. Reference architectures for distributing intelligence across far-edge, near-edge, and cloud tiers are solidifying. For an industry that already installs vast numbers of AI-capable cameras each year, the opportunity is to make the intelligence already embedded in those endpoints genuinely usable for the people who rely on them every day.

The security landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, as evidenced by the innovations showcased at the ISC West Expo 2026. From dismantling of silos between physical and digital security to the ongoing transition to cloud and hybrid platforms, much of the discussion on the show floor was familiar, if somehow more urgent than ever. Clearly the industry is moving toward unified, cloud-native, and highly automated ecosystems. In a series of deep-dive meetings and demonstrations at the recent show, I got a first-hand glimpse of the future of the physical security marketplace. Spoiler alert: The future is now! HID Global: Tearing down the silos HID Global is addressing the long-requested convergence of physical and digital security. Recognising that the industry has historically operated in silos, HID is now leading with a combined implementation team to leverage the power of both sides. HID is supporting the transition by combining its logical and physical security teams to help end users design secure, end-to-end journeys for their employees. By leveraging its massive existing footprint in physical access, HID is uniquely positioned to help organisations upgrade their cybersecurity posture without a total "rip and replace" of their hardware. HID is seeing a surge in demand for converged credentials that unite building access with digital identity. On the digital front, HID has implemented FIDO (Fast Identity Online) and passkeys to replace traditional passwords with more secure, biometric-backed authentication methods. Acre Security: Bridging the gap to the cloud Acre Security previewed a cloud-native video solution, reinforcing its cloud-first security strategyAcre Security is currently consolidating brands, bringing established names like Feenics and AccessIt under a single corporate umbrella. A primary theme for the company at ISC West is the migration of legacy systems to modern infrastructure. To facilitate the transition, they are launching "The Bridge," a technology designed to help on-premise customers transition to the cloud at a pace that suits their operational needs. The company is also expanding its portfolio into video. Attendees at the show received a preview of a new cloud-native video solution slated for release later this year, signaling Acre’s commitment to a holistic, cloud-first security suite. Acoem: Real-time acoustic threat detection With a 35-year foundation in vibration and acoustics—including military sniper detection—Acoem is providing gunshot detection through edge processing. Unlike systems that rely on the cloud and may suffer from latency, Acoem’s technology processes data at the sensor level for instant alerts. Their sensors are engineered for massive outdoor spaces, covering a 500-foot radius (roughly 11 football fields) and can detect high-powered rifle shots from up to half a mile away. The system provides critical intelligence by distinguishing between muzzle blasts and "mach noise" from bullet travel, delivering an audio file to the end-user that maps the location and direction of the threat. They use AI to filter out environmental false positives, such as skateboards hitting metal rails. Alarm.com: The all-in-one dealer ecosystem Beyond hardware, Alarm.com is leveraging AI to streamline the sales process Alarm.com is doubling down on "giving tools to dealers to help them be successful," with a focus on unified commercial solutions. A highlight at ISC West is their new fire communicator, which integrates fire monitoring into their single app, completing what they call the "fourth leg of the stool." The product allows fire systems to benefit from the same real-time customer engagement and push notifications that have long been available for intrusion and video. The key products, such as commercial-grade hardware, are now available for immediate purchase. Beyond hardware, Alarm.com is leveraging AI to streamline the sales process. Their new AI Proposal Builder uses customer meeting notes to automatically generate customised, value-driven sales proposals for dealers. Allegion: A global shift in credentialing Following the acquisition of ELATEC, Allegion is adopting a more global market approach and expanding its OEM business. The company is involved in the development of Aliro, the newly unveiled mobile credentialing standard. Allegion’s strategy is built on versatility: While Aliro serves the burgeoning mobile market, they also offer PKOC for plastic cards, allowing them to provide solutions regardless of the user's preferred credential type. The ELATEC acquisition has effectively filled previous gaps in their use-case portfolio, positioning them as a comprehensive provider for both physical and digital access needs. AtlasIED: Engineering for life safety Transitioning from audio to a fully automated threat detection company, AtlasIED showcased its new IPX line at ISC West. This modular platform uses a single PoE++ port to power various "plug-and-play" modules, allowing for easy system upgrades. Their gun detection technology achieves a 99% confidence rating by "stacking" AI models; it cross-references audio data with infrared signatures to detect muzzle flashes and air quality sensors for particulates. With systems already running in 80% of U.S. international airports, the company maintains 24/7 domestic engineering support to manage these "life-safety adjacent" environments. Axis Communications: Unifying connectivity Axis Communications is advancing network video with 4G/5G surveillance, reducing cabling needs Axis Communications continues to lead in network video, with a new focus on offering surveillance through 4G and 5G networks to eliminate the need for extensive cabling in long-range applications. Axis also introduced several specialised hardware pieces, including the P1486-LE global shutter camera for high-speed traffic monitoring and the Q2802-TE, which integrates thermal and visual monitoring into a single unit.  To assist technicians, they launched a new installer app that uses Bluetooth for easier camera pairing and management directly from a mobile device. Axon: De-escalation through enterprise wearables Focusing on frontline safety, Axon is expanding from law enforcement into the enterprise sector with its retail and healthcare-focused body camera. Weighing only 0.25 lb, these cameras are designed to be less intimidating, using colorful designs and acting as a primary de-escalator for aggressive behavior. A clear front display signals when recording is active, striking a balance between safety and a non-intimidating appearance. These devices feature live-streaming and panic alarms that connect workers to a Global Security Operations Center (GSOC). To ensure the footage is legally viable, Axon maintains a rigorous audit trail that authenticates every action recorded. Genetec: The value of the unified platform Genetec is advocating for unified platforms that reduce the time between incident detection and resolution. They argue that AI is becoming a commodity and that the true value lies in unified platforms that reduce the time from incident to resolution. Their approach emphasises the "outcomes" customers need, such as allowing security teams to coalesce around an investigation quickly. Genetec remains a strong supporter of open systems for enterprise customers, ensuring they have the choice to integrate diverse technologies rather than being locked into a manufacturer’s “walled garden.” This flexibility is critical for high-end security environments that require tailored, responsive systems. Johnson Controls: Large-scale enterprise solutions Johnson Controls has made a significant push into the enterprise video market with C-Cure IQ, a standalone VMS designed for major hubs like airports and large campuses. Through a partnership with Scylla, they have integrated 11 advanced analytics—including facial recognition and weapons detection—directly into their cameras. They also showcased new multi-sensor panoramic cameras capable of "stitching" multiple images into a single 360-degree view. While innovating in video, Johnson Controls also confirmed modern upgrades to their intrusion line, including their legacy DSC Neo line. The new DSC PowerSeries Neo 5, a high-end residential and commercial platform, features an all-new user interface and built-in PowerG+. They have also begun shipping the IQ5 family lineup, which is powered by a Qualcomm DragonWing processor.  ONVIF: Standardising the future of AI and cloud ONVIF continues to lead the charge in establishing common languages for the security industry. A major focus is their new "Cloud Profile," which enables cameras to connect directly to the cloud through a standardised protocol. They are also expanding into audio standards to ensure IP-based speakers can seamlessly connect to Video Management Systems (VMS). To combat the rise of sophisticated digital manipulation, ONVIF is developing "video signing" standards. ONVIF is actively seeking more diverse enterprise participation to help shape these emerging AI standardsThis feature protects the integrity of video for evidentiary purposes by embedding a digital signature and timestamp directly into the footage at the camera level. Additionally, the organisation has formed an AI Working Group to develop common communication methods for "AI agents" within physical security systems. ONVIF is actively seeking more diverse enterprise participation to help shape these emerging AI standards. Roberto Licari is the new ONVIF Ambassador, seeking to attract new companies (even outside the security sector) to ONVIF as they look to expand their offerings. SwiftConnect: Bridging digital and physical identity SwiftConnect is redefining access control by shifting the focus from physical cards to digital identity. As a cloud-based "connected access network," the platform bridges the gap between IT identity providers (like Okta or Azure AD) and legacy physical access control systems. At the show's Security Experience Center demonstrations, SwiftConnect showcased its ability to integrate mobile credentials within Apple and Google Wallets across multiple technology platforms. By aligning physical security with Zero Trust principles, they ensure that access is governed by the same rigorous standards as digital networks. Their software-centric approach allows for a more seamless employee experience while simplifying the management of complex, multi-site building security. This emphasises a future where the mobile device becomes the primary tool for navigating the physical workspace. Wasabi Technologies: Redefining cloud storage economics With cloud technology becoming a baseline requirement at every booth, Wasabi Technologies highlighted its "hot cloud storage" as a cost-effective alternative to major hyperscalers. Their model claims to be 80% less expensive than competitors, notably removing hidden fees. Wasabi is increasingly bundled at the "back end" of security solutions through partnerships with integrators and end users. A key feature for law enforcement and high-security sectors is their "Object Lock" capability, which ensures that video evidence remains untampered with and immutable during defined retention periods. By providing high-performance storage without the unpredictable costs typically associated with the cloud, Wasabi is positioning itself as the foundational layer for data-heavy video surveillance applications that require long-term, secure retention. Wasabi is positioning itself as the foundational layer for data-heavy video surveillance applications ZKTeco USA: Versatile and integrated access ZKTeco USA showcased a range of integrated solutions, including turnstiles, visitor management, and access control. Their Atlas access control series offers versatility, supporting everything from traditional readers and keypads to QR codes and fingerprint scanning, with the flexibility to operate on-premise or in the cloud. For tight environments, they introduced the Mars 100 turnstile, which features a compact 2x3-foot footprint. They also highlighted the Omni series, an all-in-one standalone reader-controller that manages access, intercom, and visitor functions in a single device. Innovation in portability was evident in their new walk-through metal detectors, which consist of two poles with an 8-hour battery life—ideal for schools and temporary events. While they offer their own Armatura readers, ZKTeco emphasised that their solutions can integrate with other industry leaders to fit diverse customer needs.

2025 was another impactful year for mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in the security industry, which is undergoing an enormous transformation as global pioneers prioritise specialised technology to drive future growth.  The year 2025 has been defined by massive corporate reorganisations, most notably Honeywell and Resideo spinning off core divisions to unlock shareholder value. Simultaneously, an aggressive wave of mergers and acquisitions is reshaping the landscape, with giants like ASSA ABLOY and Motorola Solutions absorbing innovators in AI-driven surveillance, cloud-native access control, and identity management. From residential security shifts to critical infrastructure enhancements, this article will summarise how these strategic moves signal a decisive industry pivot toward integrated and intelligent security ecosystems. Resideo to spin off ADI business Resideo Technologies, Inc. announced its intention to separate its ADI Global Distribution business from its Products & Solutions (P&S) business via a tax-free spin-off to shareholders. The separation is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026. P&S will continue as Resideo, a building products manufacturer of residential controls The goal is to unlock value, enhance operational performance, and improve strategic flexibility for both entities. After the separation, P&S will continue as Resideo, a building products manufacturer of residential controls and sensing solutions. ADI will become an independent public company and remain a global wholesale distributor of low-voltage products, including security and audio-visual solutions. Honeywell separates into three companies There are big changes pending at Honeywell, another global security industry company. Honeywell announced plans to separate its Automation and Aerospace businesses into two independent, publicly traded companies following a comprehensive portfolio evaluation. Combined with the previously announced spin-off of Advanced Materials, this strategy will create three distinct industry pioneers. The Automation and Aerospace separation is targeted for completion in the second half of 2026 as a tax-free transaction for shareholders. The largest portion of Honeywell’s traditional security business (cameras, access control, and fire safety) sits within the Building Automation segment of the new Honeywell Automation company. This unit includes products from recent major acquisitions, such as LenelS2. SimpliSafe’s new chapter SimpliSafe has agreed to be acquired by private equity firm GTCR from Hellman & Friedman SimpliSafe has agreed to be acquired by private equity firm GTCR from Hellman & Friedman, another private equity firm. As the third largest U.S. residential security provider, SimpliSafe will continue under the leadership of the current CEO, while its founders remain significant investors.  GTCR, an experienced security industry investor, intends to support the company’s expansion and continued innovation in AI-powered, DIY home protection. This marks a new chapter in SimpliSafe’s mission to provide professional monitoring without long-term contracts. SimpliSafe is GTCR’s fifth investment in the security alarm industry, including prior investments in residential-focused security companies SecurityLink and Protection1, along with commercial-focused security companies HSM and Everon. Motorola grows technology portfolio Motorola Solutions grew its portfolio through acquisitions in 2025. The industry giant strategically expanded its safety and security ecosystem through the acquisition of four specialised technology firms. The company acquired Blue Eye to integrate AI-driven remote video monitoring and 24/7 security operations into its threat detection workflows. To support frontline workers, Motorola added Theatro’s voice-powered communication platform, which complements existing mobile and video technologies. Motorola further bolster its public safety capabilities with the acquisition of RapidDeploy, a cloud-native Next Generation 911 provider that offers real-time caller mapping and data analytics to accelerate emergency responses. Motorola also agreed to acquire InVisit to enhance its Avigilon Alta suite with cloud-based visitor management, streamlining guest registration and blocklist screening for enterprise security. These acquisitions aim to unify detection, communication, and response across various sectors, including retail, healthcare, and critical infrastructure. Allied sells majority stake in AMAG Allied Universal sold a majority stake in AMAG Technology to Shore Rock Partners In December, Allied Universal sold a majority stake in AMAG Technology to Shore Rock Partners. Shore Rock is a growth investor focused on critical infrastructure, with strategic backing from BellTower Partners. Allied Universal will retain a significant minority share. The sale is intended to allow 54-year-old AMAG, which provides integrated access control, identity, guest, and video management solutions, to operate independently from Allied Universal's services-based model for long-term growth. Shore Rock's plan is to invest in advancing AMAG's product line and customer relationships. With this transaction, David Sullivan, AMAG's President, will become CEO. Everon acquires ADT multifamily segment Commercial security provider Everon announced in September that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the business-to-business (B2B) multifamily segment from ADT. This acquisition is a strategic extension that expands Everon's reach in the valuable multifamily market. It will allow the company to offer a more comprehensive portfolio of tailored solutions, including access control, video surveillance, and self-guided tour capabilities. Everon's CEO states that the deal enables them to help property owners and managers increase net operating income and improve operational efficiency. Dormakaba acquires TANlock and Avant-Garde Dormakaba, a global provider of access solutions, acquired TANlock GmbH in July Dormakaba, a global provider of access solutions, acquired TANlock GmbH in July. TANlock is a German firm specialising in innovative high-security access solutions for data centers and other critical infrastructure. The acquisition strengthens Dormakaba’s presence in the data center market.  TANlock's intelligent system provides enhanced server cabinet security using electromechanical rack locks and various authentication modules. This solution is scalable, future-proof, and can be integrated into existing IT infrastructures for both retrofits and new installations. Dormakaba also agreed to acquire Indiana-based Avant-Garde Systems Inc. to strengthen its North American entrance control portfolio. This move bolsters Dormakaba’s presence in high-growth sectors like airports and data centers. Acre acquires REKS for AI Recent M&A activity also reflects the growing importance of artificial intelligence. For example, Acre Security acquired REKS, a purpose-built generative AI solution designed to transform access control, allowing professionals to use natural language queries for instant data insights. Integrated into Acre’s cloud-native ecosystem, this AI-powered platform prioritises data privacy while streamlining operations. Led by a new AI Development Team, Acre plans to expand these capabilities into intrusion detection and visitor management. Two acquisitions for Allegion Global security provider Allegion, through one of its subsidiaries, completed the acquisition of ELATEC Global security provider Allegion, through one of its subsidiaries, completed the acquisition of ELATEC, a manufacturer of security and access technology, specialising in RFID credentials and readers solutions designed in Germany and sold globally.  ELATEC’s portfolio of readers leverages their internally developed software stack and ensures compatibility with nearly 100 credential types, making the company a pioneer in interoperability, which aligns well with Allegion’s partner-of-choice strategy. Allegion, also through one of its subsidiaries, acquired Brisant Secure Limited, a security hardware provider in the United Kingdom. Senstar acquires Blickfeld for LiDAR sensors Senstar Technologies Corporation has agreed to acquire Blickfeld, a specialist in 3D LiDAR sensors and software. Expected to close in Q1 2026, the acquisition integrates Blickfeld’s hardware into Senstar’s advanced security ecosystem. This strategic move expands Senstar’s addressable market into volume monitoring and traffic applications while enhancing its AI-powered situational awareness capabilities. Following the transaction, Blickfeld will operate largely independently as a subsidiary. ASSA ABLOY continues acquisition spree Global giant ASSA ABLOY was probably the most active company in the M&A market in 2025 Global giant ASSA ABLOY was probably the most active company in the M&A market in 2025, demonstrating aggressive market growth, strategically reinforcing its core business, and expanding its technological footprint across the global security marketplace. The acquisitions delivered on the company's strategy to strengthen its position in mature markets by integrating complementary products and solutions. A major theme for ASSA ABLOY was the enhancement of the door and perimeter security portfolio, particularly in the Americas. This effort included acquiring US-based Metal Products Inc. (MPI) for custom-made hollow metal doors and frames and International Door Products (IDP) for fire-rated steel door frames, both in the fall. Earlier in the year, ASSA ABLOY gained a stronger presence in Central Canada with the addition of Wallace & Wallace and Wallace Perimeter Security, a manufacturer, distributor, and installer of perimeter fencing, door, and gate solutions. The Entrance Systems Division also saw expansion with the acquisition of Belgium’s Kingspan Door Components, a manufacturer of sectional door panels. Furthermore, Door System, a Danish manufacturer of high-quality fire-rated doors, was signed for acquisition in the spring. Cloud-based platform ASSA ABLOY also made significant moves in electronic and access control solutions. Early 2025 saw two key acquisitions: Uhlmann & Zacher, a German supplier of access control handles and knobs, and InVue, a US-based provider of connected asset protection and access control solutions. Reinforcing this segment, SiteOwl, a pioneering cloud-based platform for physical security lifecycle management, was acquired in the summer. The spring acquisition of Pedestal PRO, a US manufacturer of access control pedestals and mounting solutions, further strengthens the electromechanical offerings in the Americas. ASSA ABLOY bolstered its capabilities in remote care technology with Germany’s TeleAlarm Group in late spring. HID Global expands in 2025 HID Global, a subsidiary of ASSA ABLOY, was also active on the M&A front in 2025 HID Global, a subsidiary of ASSA ABLOY, was also active on the M&A front in 2025, aggressively driving the convergence of physical and digital identity solutions and signaling a clear roadmap for security professionals. HID's move to purchase Vancouver-based IDmelon, announced in the autumn of 2025, targets the critical need for robust logical access control. IDmelon’s proprietary software platform transforms everyday identifiers, including existing physical credentials, smartphones, or biometrics, directly into enterprise-level FIDO (Fast IDentity Online) security keys. This approach streamlines an organisation’s transition to phishing-resistant, passwordless multi-factor authentication (MFA) and minimises the need for disruptive changes by integrating physical and digital access into a single, cohesive solution. Safer patient experience Separate from its focus on digital access, HID also bolstered its Identification Technologies Business Area by acquiring the Calmell Group. Calmell is a long-established manufacturer specialising in smart cards, smart paper, and magnetic tickets for the public transportation sector. This addition is expected to expand HID’s footprint and relevance in global public transportation ecosystems, allowing the Barcelona-headquartered firm to leverage HID’s core expertise in digital credentials to drive future-proof solutions for seamless mobility. Also, HID acquired Intelligent Observation to expand its Healthcare Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) portfolio. Intelligent Observation provides a platform to reduce hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) by tracking hand hygiene compliance. The system uses wearable Near-Field Magnetic Induction (NFMI) devices and a cloud-based SaaS dashboard. This technology records and reports if healthcare workers sanitize appropriately, providing granular compliance data to administrators to enable a safer patient experience.

Anyone who has been in a proverbial cave for the last couple of years faced a language barrier at this year’s ISC West 2025 trade show. The industry’s latest wave of innovation has brought with it a new bounty of jargon and buzzwords, some of which I heard at ISC West for the first time. As a public service, we are happy to provide the following partial glossary to promote better understanding of the newer terms. (Some are new to the security industry but have been around in the IT world for years.) Obviously, if we can’t understand the meaning of the industry’s lexicon (and agree on the meaning of terms!), we will struggle to embrace the full benefits of the latest industry innovation. Not to mention, we will struggle to communicate. Generative AI Generative AI can identify an object in an image based on its understanding of previous objects This was perhaps the most common new(ish) term I heard bouncing around at ISC West. While the term artificial intelligence (AI) now rolls off everyone’s tongue, the generative “version” of the term is catching up. Generative AI uses what it has learned to create something new. The name comes from the core function of this type of artificial intelligence: it can generate (or create) new content. It doesn’t just copy and paste; it understands the underlying patterns and creates something original based on that understanding. In the case of video, for example, generative AI can identify an object in an image based on its understanding of previous objects it has seen. Video and security Generative AI can tell you something digitally about what is happening in an environment. There is no longer a need to write “rules;” the system can take in data, contextualise it, and understand it, even if it does not exactly match something it has seen before. In the case of video and security, generative AI offers more flexibility and better understanding. From 2014 to 2024, the emphasis was on detecting and classifying things; today AI is expanding to allow new ways to handle data, not so prescriptive and no more rules engines. Agentic AI Agentic AI refers to artificial intelligence systems that can operate autonomously to achieve specific goals Agentic AI refers to artificial intelligence systems that can operate autonomously to achieve specific goals, with minimal to no direct human intervention. In addition to the capabilities of generative AI, agentic AI can take action based on what it detects and understands. Use of agentic AI typically revolves around an if/then scenario. That is, if action A occurs, then the system should proceed with action B. For example, if an AI system “sees” a fire, then it will shut down that part of the building automatically without a human having to initiate the shutdown. There is a lot of discussion in the industry about the need to keep humans involved in the decision-making loop, so the use of truly autonomous systems will likely be limited in the foreseeable future. However, the ability of agentic AI to act on critical information in a timely manner, in effect to serve as an “agent” in place of a human decision-maker, will find its place in physical security as we move forward. Inference Inference is another common term related to AI. It refers to the process by which an AI model uses the knowledge it gained during its training phase to make predictions, classifications, or generate outputs on new, unseen data. The direct relationship of this term to physical security and video is obvious. In the simplest terms, an AI system is “trained” by learning patterns, relationships, and features from a large dataset. During inference, the trained model is presented with new questions (data it hasn't seen before), and it applies what it learned during training to provide answers or make decisions. Simply put, inference is what makes AI systems intelligent. Containerisation Dividing a massive security management system into several separate containers enables management of the various parts In IT, containerisation is a form of operating system-level virtualisation that allows you to package an application and all its dependencies (libraries, binaries, configuration files) into a single, portable image called a container. This container can then be run consistently across any infrastructure that supports containerisation, such as a developer's laptop, a testing environment, or a server in the cloud. In the physical security industry, you hear “containerisation” used in the context of separating out the various components of a larger system. Dividing a massive security management system into several independent containers enables the various parts to be managed, updated, and enhanced without impacting the larger whole. Genetec’s SecurityCentre cloud platform Think of it like shipping containers in the real world. Each container holds everything an application needs to run, isolated from other applications and from the underlying system. This ensures that the application will work the same way regardless of the environment it is deployed in.   “It took us five years to containerise Genetec’s SecurityCentre cloud platform, but containerisation now simplifies delivering updates to products whenever we want,” says Andrew Elvish, Genetec’s VP Marketing. Among other benefits, containerisation enables Genetec to provide more frequent updates--every 12 days. Headless appliance Headless appliance is a device that is managed and controlled remotely through a network or web interface A headless appliance is a device that is managed and controlled remotely through a network or web interface. The device is like a “body without a head” in the traditional sense of computer interaction: It performs its intended function, but without any visual output or input device for local interaction. In physical security, such devices are increasingly part of cloud-based systems in which the centralised software manages and operates all the disparate “headless” devices. A headless appliance does not have a Windows management system. “The whole thing is managed through the as-a-service cloud system,” says Elvish. With a headless device, you just plug it into the network, and it is managed by your system. You manage the Linux-based device remotely, so configuring and deploying it is easy. Democratising AI You hear the term democratising AI used by camera manufacturers who are looking to expand AI capabilities throughout their camera lines, including value-priced models. For example, even i-PRO’s value-priced cameras (U series) now have AI – fulfilling their promise to democratise AI. Another approach is to connect non-AI-equipped cameras to the network by way of an AI-equipped camera, a process known as “AI-relay.” For instance, i-PRO can incorporate non-AI cameras into a system by routing/connecting them through an X-series camera to provide AI functionality. Bosch is also embracing AI throughout its video camera line and enabling customers to choose application-specific analytics for each use case, in effect, tailoring each camera to the application, and providing AI to everyone. Context Cloud system also enables users to ask open-ended queries that involve context, in addition to detection Context refers to an AI system that can understand the “why” of a situation. For example, if someone stops in an area and triggers a video “loitering” analytic, the event might trigger an alarm involving an operator. However, if an AI system can provide “context” (e.g., he stopped to tie his shoe), then the event can be easily dismissed by the automated system without involving an operator. Bosch’s IVA-Pro Context product is a service-based model that adds context to edge detection. The cloud system also enables users to ask open-ended questions that involve context in addition to detection. For example, rather than asking "do you see a gas can?" you can ask "do you see any safety hazards in this scene?" The pre-trained model understands most common objects, and understands correlations, such as "a gas can could be a safety hazard.” A scaled-down on-premise version of the IVA Context product will be available in 2026. Bosch showed a prototype at ISC West. Most video data is never viewed by an operator. Context allows a system to look at all the video with "almost human eyes." Cameras are essentially watching themselves, and understanding why something happened and what we can do. All that previously unwatched video is now being watched by the system itself, boosted by the ability to add “context” to the system. Any meaningful information based on context can trigger a response by an operator. Data lake A data lake is a centralised repository that allows one to store vast amounts of structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data in its native format. In the case of the physical security marketplace, a data lake includes data generated by systems outside the physical security infrastructure, from inventory and logistics systems, for example. A data lake is where an enterprise can accumulate all their data, from the weather to Point-of-Sale information to logistics, to whatever they can gather. Putting the data in one place (a “data lake”) enables them to mine that data and parse it in different ways using AI to provide information and insights into their business. Notably, a data lake contains all a company’s data, not just security or video data, which opens up new opportunities to leverage the value of data beyond security and safety applications. Crunching the various information in a data lake, therefore, security technology can be used to maximise business operations.

At the Toronto Zoo, every person on site – whether that’s a keeper, security officer, scientist, or volunteer - shares one vision: create a world where people, wildlife, and wild spaces thrive. Thirty minutes from downtown Toronto lies a 500-acre campus that is home to over 2000 animals across 200 species. Welcoming 1.3 million guests each year, Toronto Zoo is a world-class operation on a mission to connect people, animals, conservation science, and traditional knowledge to fight extinction. When Toronto Zoo Supervisor of Health & Safety Services, Graham Birtles, set out to modernise the Zoo’s legacy access and alarm infrastructure, he discovered that the partner he already trusted for animal enclosure fencing was the same one now leading the way in physical security and access control. World-class operation The Toronto Zoo opened in 1974 with a goal that extended well beyond exhibition. Today, its work spans conservation science, breeding programs for endangered species, community education, and climate advocacy. Its Guardians of Wild program extends that belief outward, inviting staff, guests, and partner organisations to champion wildlife beyond the Zoo’s borders: in policy, community relations, and corporate engagement. “My everyday is somebody else’s once-in-a-lifetime experience,” says Graham. “We want every person who comes through these gates to leave understanding what the Toronto Zoo is about, and what they can personally do to make a change.” Delivering that experience safely for guests, staff, and the animals themselves demanded a security platform fit for the job. Rapid emergency response Before Gallagher Security, the Zoo’s access control and alarm infrastructure had not kept pace with the scale of operations. Mobile alerting was unavailable to officers in the field, credentialling hundreds of seasonal staff required plastic cards that were slow to issue and difficult to track, and there was no integration with the Zoo’s video management system to support rapid emergency response. There was also a unique challenge facing the Zoo team: the electric perimeter fencing around animal enclosures - the secondary layer of protection between the animals and the wider Zoo environment - operated as an entirely separate system, disconnected from the broader infrastructure. Following an animal containment incident that was escalated to security leadership, the need to bridge those two systems became urgent. Graham found the solution at a security trade show, when his integrator walked him toward a familiar orange booth. Higher voltage requirements “I said, I already know Gallagher. They’re my fence people. They’ve been taking care of our fencing systems for over 50 years at the Toronto Zoo.” What Graham didn’t yet know was that Gallagher also delivered enterprise-grade physical security, making Toronto Zoo’s path to world-class operations clear. Working together, Gallagher Security and Gallagher Animal Management designed and implemented an integration between Gallagher Command Centre and the Zoo’s Animal Management energiser systems, enabling real-time communication between animal fencing infrastructure and the security platform for the first time. Higher voltage requirements The implementation required calibration for significantly higher voltage requirements than traditional smaller animal environments, ensuring safe and effective management across large species habitats. The Zoo team worked closely with Gallagher’s experts to configure their setup, and the solution is now fully operational within the orangutan habitat. “Now we can see the voltage of our fences at all times,” says Graham. “We can send alerts to our wildlife care team the moment something touches the hot wire so we can make sure the animals are safe.” When an alert is triggered, integrated CCTV allows the wildlife care team to immediately verify the event and assess the situation before responding; a critical functionality for animal safety. The Zoo’s security needs extend well beyond its animal habitats, and the Gallagher platform has delivered. Persistent administrative challenges Mobile Credentials have addressed one of the most persistent administrative challenges on site. With hundreds of contractors and seasonal catering staff requiring access at any given time, the previous reliance on plastic cards was slow and difficult to manage. Now, time-limited mobile credentials are issued on sign-in and revoked automatically on sign-out, removing the risk of residual access. For officers in the field, Gallagher Mobile Connect removed the need to return to base to manage alarms. Officers maintain full situational awareness from their vehicles around the clock, long after the central control center closes. Further integration with 27 Axis intercoms in high-risk spaces - housing venomous snakes, spiders, and other dangerous species - ensure staff working alone in those environments are never out of reach. Restricting workshop equipment “We can monitor alarms throughout the Zoo; not just for traditional break-and-enter or door-open scenarios. We are monitoring life-safety systems, fire systems, animal conditions, and more,” says Graham. What has distinguished the Toronto Zoo’s deployment is not any single feature, but the broad range of problems the Gallagher platform has been called on to solve. New challenges from across the organisation are allowing Graham and his team to unlock more value from their security system. Whether it is monitoring environmental conditions within animal habitats, restricting workshop equipment to trained operators, or ensuring staff cannot access sensitive areas until their training is verified, the answer has consistently been found within the same platform. Conventional vendor relationship “I like that I can call on the Gallagher team and they will work with us to find a solution,” says Graham. “Gallagher has become a house brand here at the Toronto Zoo. It’s integrated with everything we do,” Graham Birtles, Supervisor of Health & Safety Service. The Zoo’s collaboration with Gallagher has not been a conventional vendor relationship. Graham describes it as a convergence of purpose. “When we partner with organisations such as Gallagher, they become Guardians of Wild,” he says. “Because they help me and the Toronto Zoo accomplish our mission.” The Gallagher platform will play a central role in the Zoo’s next chapter. A new Community Conservation Centre, developed with a local university, will soon bring classrooms, laboratories, and a new otter river habitat into a shared community space; with Command Centre managing access for students, professors, and  visiting groups. “Gallagher understands our mission,” says Graham. “They are very helpful, and everything they have put in place for us has worked. The flexibility has been fantastic.” This installation was deployed in partnership with Met-Scan Canada Ltd

Introduction - Lightkeepers of Henry County is a grassroots nonprofit organisation based in New Castle, Indiana. It began informally in 2020 with a community vigil, where organisers realised that local residents wanted more activities centred on culture, diversity, and understanding. Lightkeepers became a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2023 and soon afterward acquired its own building. Guided by its core values of equity, education, diversity, and empathy, Lightkeepers aims to provide a safe place where everyone in the community feels appreciated and has a sense of belonging. Its programs focus on marginalised communities, including low-income residents, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQIA+ community. The organisation hosted the first Juneteenth celebration in Henry County, organises New Castle Pride, and runs food and blanket drives, festivals, and community meetings. Following historic flooding in the area, it is also hosting home damage assessments for affected residents. Limited police patrols The challenge - Lightkeepers is based in the former Westminster Community Center, a two-story cement building that has long been a staple of the neighbourhood. Over the years, it has served as an elementary school, a community center with after-school programs and classrooms, and most recently a food pantry. The building includes a large gym, several ground-floor rooms, an upstairs kitchen, classroom area, and offices, and an attached garage. Before Lightkeepers took it over, the building had been largely vacant, opening for only a few hours, two days a week, for food distribution. It is located in a low-income area with limited police patrols, and the parking lot was so poorly lit that the team repaired the light themselves. A city park directly behind the building had become a meeting place for illegal and unsafe activity. Limited police patrols Today, the building is in use throughout the day. With no set opening hours, it hosts fundraisers, community meetings, training sessions, birthday parties, and baby showers, with anywhere from four to more than 120 people inside at any one time. Festivals and other events also take place in the parking lot. During summer 2026, Lightkeepers partnered with fellow nonprofit Live Coalition to run the Hangout Hub, a weekday program offering activities and free meals for children aged 10 and over. Lightkeepers needed a way to protect the building and its contents, and to keep children and visitors safe while they were on-site. Board members, who often come and go outside of normal hours, needed to see what was happening in the building and parking lot before arriving or leaving. As an older building with boiler heating, the property was also at risk from problems that could go unnoticed when nobody was there. “After we acquired the building, we knew that we would need to be able to watch what we had, because of the neighbourhood it’s in. We definitely needed some sort of security, and we wanted safety for the kids in the gym,” says Mary Nicholson Tait, President, Lightkeepers of Henry County. Monitored intrusion detection The solution -Lightkeepers worked with 3xLOGIC and SONITROL to install video surveillance and monitored intrusion detection across the building, parking lot, and perimeter. The system was completed in 2024. A mix of 3xLOGIC indoor and outdoor cameras watches the building inside and out. A 360-degree camera mounted in the center of the gym ceiling gives full visibility of the space, while a camera in the entrance lobby covers the main entry point. Outside, cameras cover each side of the building, including edge-based deep learning cameras that, if required, can detect people and vehicles and identify details such as vehicle make, model, and colour. Deep learning analytics A 3xLOGIC VISIX 5MP InterACT camera on the front of the building overlooks the parking lot. The camera combines high-quality video with edge-based deep learning analytics and built-in deterrence features, including sirens, white or red and blue lights, two-way audio for talk-down, and custom messaging. Its analytics can detect loitering, intrusion, and vehicles in prohibited areas, with real-time alerts allowing potential incidents to be addressed early. SONITROL’s patented audio intrusion sensors inside the building provide 24/7 monitored intrusion detection. When a sensor is triggered, SONITROL operators can listen in to verify activity and dispatch police when required. Allowing potential incidents Mary can view live footage remotely using the 3xLOGIC mobile app on her phone and access the cameras from a desktop workstation in her office at the building. The SONITROL app, meanwhile, may be used on-site to arm and disarm the alarm system. “I’ve got the desktop set up in my office at the building, so if we have activities in the gym, we don’t have to go down and see what’s going on. We can just click on the camera and see what’s happening,” explains Mary. Monitored intrusion detection Results gained - Since installation, Lightkeepers can see what’s going on at the building from anywhere. Mary regularly uses the mobile app to keep an eye on the parking lot, and because the team does not keep regular business hours, board members can check the cameras before heading out to their cars at night. “We’ve got a lot of women on our board, and we’re over there at all hours. It’s nice for everybody to be able to see what they’re about to walk into before they leave the building,” says Mary. Late one Sunday night, an intruder forced their way in through the gym door. SONITROL’s monitored intrusion detection picked up the activity, operators called Mary, and police were dispatched. Officers were at the building before Mary, who lives five minutes away, could get there. The intruder fled without taking anything. Low winter temperatures In another incident, during unusually low winter temperatures, copper pipes in the building burst. SONITROL’s sensors detected the noise and alerted the team, and Mary checked the lobby camera on the 3xLOGIC mobile app, where she saw water coming out of the room. This meant the team could get someone to the building quickly and limit the damage. No repainting or structural repairs were needed, and no fittings needed to be thrown away. “Had it not been for the security system, we would not have known about the flooding. I was able to look from my app and see there was water, and we were able to get over there and take care of the problem. It saved us a lot of money in repairs and made a huge difference,” explains Mary. Deter nuisance activity The cameras, the repaired light, and the extra activity on-site have helped deter nuisance activity in the wider area, so the park behind the building is now somewhere local children can play. Residents across the street have welcomed the cameras, reporting fewer people coming into their yards and a decrease in illegal activity. “We were afraid they were going to be so mad at us because there were cameras over here. It was completely the opposite. The neighbours were really happy that they could see the cameras, because it provided safety for their properties. They actually thanked us,” Mary concludes. Additional camera coverage Future plans - Lightkeepers is preparing to partner with the Boys and Girls Club to deliver after-school programs from the building, to bring more young people on-site regularly. The organisation is also working with its integrator to assess additional camera coverage and to make full use of the InterACT camera’s siren, talk-down, and custom alarm features to actively deter unwanted activity in the parking lot.

After a major refurbishment, Benghazi Children's Hospital in Libya is preparing to deliver a safer, more connected, and more efficient healthcare experience. By adopting Hikvision's AIoT (AI-powered Internet of Things) technologies, the hospital is enhancing patient care, strengthening communication, supporting medical education, and improving operational efficiency throughout the facility. For more than four decades, Benghazi Children's Hospital has served local communities and families. Covering approximately 11,300 m², the hospital supports a wide range of inpatient and outpatient services. Its recent refurbishment—the first in over 40 years—was more than a maintenance project. The hospital set ambitious goals to modernise the environment, aiming for an 80% improvement in patient satisfaction, response times, and interdepartmental communication. Smart healthcare solution To support these objectives, the hospital has been working with the national distributor Al Motaheda to deploy an integrated Hikvision smart healthcare solution spanning patient communication, medical education, and fire protection. When a patient needs help, every second matters. To help caregivers respond quickly and efficiently, Benghazi Children's Hospital has deployed Hikvision's Nurse Call System across its two inpatient departments: the Observation Department and the Gastroenteritis Department. At 11 ward entrances, Doorway Terminals and LED indicators have been installed. Now, when a patient calls, room number and bed information will immediately appear in the corridor, helping nursing staff identify where assistance is needed. Delivering routine announcements A Nurse Station has been located between the two departments. From a single point, staff will be able to receive, prioritise, and respond to requests from all 11 wards, helping improve efficiency while ensuring patients receive timely attention. Beyond the nurse call system, the hospital also wants to strengthen communication between departments. 40 SIP Phones have been installed across examination rooms, operating rooms, labs, and offices, to keep every department connected for day-to-day coordination. 37 Ceiling Speakers will deliver routine announcements, visitor guidance, and emergency notifications. 26 Ceiling Access Points will provide hospital-wide wireless connectivity, supporting staff communications, connected devices, and future digital healthcare applications. Improving patient satisfaction Together, these systems have are creating a more connected healthcare environment where information reaches the right people at the right time. Hospital management expects the solution to play a key role in improving patient satisfaction while significantly reducing response times once the facility becomes fully operational. As a teaching hospital, Benghazi Children's Hospital also places strong emphasis on clinical education. However, limited space inside operating rooms can make it difficult for large groups of students to observe procedures firsthand. To address this challenge, the hospital has deployed a Live Surgery Broadcasting System built around the Hikvision Video Cart. Dedicated training hall This is a mobile unit that can be moved between all four operating rooms as needed. With appropriate patient consent and in accordance with hospital policies, it captures high-quality video and audio that can be transmitted live to a dedicated training hall. This will allow more medical students to observe operations without disrupting clinical activities or overcrowding operating rooms. In addition to live viewing, surgical procedures can – again, with consent – be recorded and stored for future training purposes. This will enable educators to build a growing library of teaching materials while giving more students access to practical clinical learning experiences. Centralised emergency management Fire safety has also been addressed by installing a comprehensive Hikvision fire protection solution. The system enables early fire detection, rapid alert distribution, and centralised emergency management. 203 Smoke Detectors cover every area of the building, from operating rooms to waiting areas to staff rooms. 24 Audible and Visual Alarms, and Manual Call Points have been placed at the ends of corridors and near all exits, where people moving toward evacuation routes will find them. A Fire Alarm Control Panel at the main reception provides centralised monitoring and control. A microphone at the same location will allow staff to broadcast live evacuation instructions to the entire hospital should it be needed. Effective medical education Together, these capabilities help ensure faster response during emergencies while supporting a safer environment for patients, visitors, and staff. Although the hospital has not yet officially opened following its refurbishment, feedback from hospital management and medical staff has been highly positive. As Taha Grgom, Project Manager at the Hospital put it: "The nurse call system will help us respond to patients more quickly, while the live surgery broadcasting system will open new possibilities for medical education. Together, these technologies are helping us build a more connected and efficient hospital." As Benghazi Children's Hospital prepares to welcome its first patients, it stands as a powerful example of how AIoT technologies can support better care, stronger collaboration, safer operations, and more effective medical education. More importantly, it shows what Tech for Good can mean in practice—using technology to make a meaningful difference where it matters most and help every child receive the care they deserve.

In a move to modernise campus operations and create a smoother experience for students and staff, Peru’s National Agrarian University has deployed a comprehensive Hikvision smart campus solution. From streamlined access to safer transportation, the university is building a safer, connected and efficient campus environment. Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina (National Agrarian University) is one of Peru's most respected academic institutions. Its 102-hectare campus operates more like a small city than a traditional university, serving eight faculties, around 8,000 students, and about 600 teachers every day. Campus bus operations As campus activity continued to grow, the university wanted a more modern and efficient way to manage daily operations. Previously, visitor and vehicle access relied heavily on manual checks and handwritten records. The university also wanted better visibility over campus bus operations and more effective support for security teams patrolling the large campus area. Their goals included: Streamlining pedestrian and vehicle access Equipping patrol teams with mobile tools to enable them to respond to incidents faster Enhancing safety and visibility across campus bus operations Centralising management through a single unified platform To achieve these, the university worked with system integrator Consorcio Valtar Security y Serinfortel to deploy a unified Hikvision smart campus solution. Anti-tailgating functions To improve pedestrian access, the university installed 18 Hikvision Pro Swing Barriers (DS-K3B530X) and 28 Face Recognition Terminals (DS-K5671-ZV) at the main and side entrances. The solution helps students and staff move through gates quickly while improving entry management. The facial recognition terminals support recognition speeds of less than 0.2 seconds per user and accuracy rates above 99%. Anti-tailgating functions, which prevent people slipping in behind others, helps ensure only authorised individuals can enter. LED indicators, meanwhile, provide visual indicators guide people through the turnstiles in order to avoid bottlenecks. To further streamline visitor handling, the university deployed a Visitor Terminal (DS-K5032-D) together with an Enrolments Station (DS-K1F600U-D6E-F) at the main entrance. The dual-screen visitor terminal supports paperless registration, helping security staff process guests more efficiently while reducing manual paperwork. At the same time, the enrolment station simplifies face enrolment and user management through an easy-to-use touch-screen interface. Anti-hitting protection mechanisms For vehicle access, Hikvision deployed 6 ANPR Cameras (DS-TCG406-E(S)) together with 6 Barrier Gates (DS-TMG520-H/B) at two campus entrances. The system automatically recognises license plates and manages vehicle access in real time, helping reduce waiting times and improve traffic flow. Staff vehicles can be pre-registered through the university’s app, allowing smoother entry during peak hours. Adjustable barrier speeds and multiple anti-hitting protection mechanisms also help improve operational safety. To further improve the driver experience, LED Screens (DS-TVL224-4-5Y) display welcome messages and vehicle information in real time. Because of the campus’s large size, motorcycle patrol teams play an important role in maintaining daily operations and responding quickly across different areas. To support these teams, the university has deployed 10 Hikvision Ultra Series Body Cameras (DS-MH2311) together with 2 Dock Stations (DS-MDS001). Several features make this solution particularly suitable for mobile patrol work: Clear 2 MP video recording with a wide 129° horizontal field of view Up to 8 hours of recording with a removable 3,300 mAh battery Wireless connectivity for improved communication Real-time positioning support through GPS Centralised charging, storage, and evidence upload through dock stations Professional campus operations The cameras are mainly used during routine motorcycle patrols and when responding to incidents on campus. Recorded footage helps clearly document security procedures and provides reliable records of how situations were handled, supporting transparent and professional campus operations. The university has also upgraded safety across its fleet of 11 campus buses with Hikvision onboard solutions. Each bus is equipped with: Mobile Dome Cameras (DS-2XM6726G1-IM/ND) and Mobile Network Cameras (DS-2XM6522G1-ID): These provide real-time HD video coverage inside and outside the buses, helping operators monitor passenger boarding, alighting, and road conditions clearly. DSM Camera (AE-VC1B1I-ISF(RJ45)): This improves driving safety by detecting critical safety indicators such as fatigue, distractions, and smoking. When potential risks are identified, alerts are immediately issued to the driver, helping encourage safer driving practices during daily routes. Touch Monitor (AE-MW1203): Drivers can view live camera feeds through the monitor. The display automatically switches to relevant views when doors open or when reversing, helping drivers monitor passenger movement and blind spots more effectively. Alarm Button (DS-1530HMI(AE)(O-NEU)): It allows drivers to immediately notify the control center for rapid assistance in emergency situations. Mobile NVR (AE-MN5043(1T/SSD)(RJ45)(O-STD)): This records and stores video while also supporting GPS positioning, geofencing, and route monitoring through Google Maps integration. Campus bus management Every solution, from access control and patrol operations to campus bus management, is centrally managed through HikCentral Professional. From this single platform, the university can: Monitor access events in real time Manage user permissions and visitor records Track campus buses through GIS-based maps Receive centralised alarms and event notifications Coordinate faster responses across campus According to the university, the solution has significantly improved operational visibility and coordination across the campus. “With Hikvision’s smart campus solution, we now have a much more efficient and connected way to manage daily campus operations,” says Joseph Jimy Ordóñez Blanco, General Coordinator of the University’s Security Unit. “From access management to transportation safety, the platform gives our teams better visibility, faster response capabilities, and greater confidence in maintaining a safe environment for students and staff.”

PPLD serves El Paso County across multiple branches — from busy urban libraries to new rural buildings. Its security program, built on systems dating back to the late 1980s, had to keep pace with a fast-growing footprint. “I don’t know that we would have been able to get to the point where we had everything we wanted deployed if we didn’t have tech like this,” said Michael Brantner, Chief Facilities & Security Officer, Pikes Peak Library District. Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) is one of Colorado Springs’ most-used public institutions, serving the El Paso County community across multiple branches with 780 cameras and more than 150 doors under active monitoring. Their physical security program had been trying to keep pace. Legacy systems dating back to the late 1980s. Cameras and access control systems that didn’t talk to each other. A small team buried under too many alarms. The model was reactive, and it was overdue for a rethink. Legacy security technology The challenge - PPLD’s footprint was growing in a few ways, through new construction and the addition of more rural buildings under its umbrella – and Chief Facilities & Security Officer Michael Brantner needed more visibility across all of the buildings. Combining the systems in place to protect these locations, plus the new ones, required a new approach: bring decades of legacy security technology into a unified, modern operation that could scale alongside the district’s growth. PPLD wanted to centralise the management of the district’s security function, which led Michael to explore the creation of a new security operations center (SOC). “We had a lot of technology that didn’t talk to each other,” Michael said. “We wanted to be able to consolidate it into one place where we can manage what’s happening across our sites.” Consolidate disconnected systems When he started building PPLD’s SOC, the mandate was clear: bring decades of legacy security technology into a unified, modern operation that could scale alongside the district’s growth. But he also needed to consolidate disconnected systems, prove ROI to the C-suite, and staff and train a team that could actually move the program forward. At the time, PPLD’s setup was a patchwork: Cloud-based cameras and access control sitting next to legacy equipment, with no shared view across them Operators who were refreshing screens to see new alarms Panic alerts, door alarms, and intercom calls each requiring a different screen, a different workflow, and a different response Notifications were inconsistent Response times couldn’t be measured No centralised SOC to manage alarms cohesively Residents experiencing homelessness Most incoming alarms generated by PPLD’s ACS were false: held-open doors, cleaning crews, and after-hours trip alarms. But every single alarm still demanded a response from someone on the team, even if there was no safety issue. The complexity was real. PPLD’s branches serve a diverse community that includes families, students, and residents experiencing homelessness across locations with very different security profiles. Some deal with routine access events. Others face behavioural incidents, policy enforcement issues, and higher alarm volumes. Across all of them, public spaces had to stay public, and private staff areas had to stay private. Those boundaries need to be enforced, all day, every day. Access control systems The solution - As Michael stood up PPLD’s new SOC, HiveWatch stood out as a way to centralise the security program and allowed the growing team a single, active view of every incident across every system. The platform connected directly to PPLD’s existing cameras and access control systems. This meant operators were able to view door alarms, access events, video clips, panic alerts, and environmental sensors (including vape and smoke detection) in one single incident list in a web-based browser. Instead of refreshing screens and guessing at what they might have missed, operators could see every active incident and incoming alarm the moment it surfaced and respond from the same place. Killing redundant alerts Alarm deduplication cut volume on day one, killing redundant alerts before they hit an operator. Noisy doors became easy to spot and fix. When specific issues surfaced, like a flood of DHO alarms, for instance, the system helped the SOC adjust alarm timing. That adaptability, tuned to actual door and user behaviour without loosening security, kept the program compliant and cut the alarm load the SOC had to manage. Operators, along with field officers, made use of the mobile app, too. The team’s ability to acknowledge, investigate, and resolve incidents from anywhere in the building was a huge benefit. Security triage stopped being tied to a desk. Response became coordinated, in real time, across every location. Standard operating procedure But the shift went beyond operations. For the first time, PPLD’s leadership had detailed data on its security program: response times, alarm volumes, and incident trends. Michael could walk into a leadership meeting with numbers that proved the program’s value. He could spot which operators were hitting targets, which branches were generating outliers, and where more operator or officer training was needed. “We aren’t just operators staring at cameras anymore. HiveWatch lets us cut through the noise, focus on what matters, and actually expand what our team can do,” said Joe Vickous, SOC Supervisor, Pikes Peak Library District. Single active queue Every shift, PPLD’s operators manage a single active queue. Door forced at a branch. Vape detection in a restroom. Held-open back door after a cleaning crew shift change. An intercom call from a side entrance. All surfaced in one view without screen-refreshing or system-hopping. When an access control alert comes in, the response is immediate. The operator sees the alert with the connected camera feed in the same view, follows the built-in standard operating procedure (SOP), and, if warranted, dispatches the field officer with full context from within the platform. Audible alerts mean the SOC can run HiveWatch in a single tab without sacrificing a full monitor, freeing operators to handle more important work like footage pulls, door testing, and badge creation between incidents. Badge creation between incidents “HiveWatch makes the operators more flexible and makes them more versatile, as well,” Michael said. “They’re able to focus on something else and it will prompt them and say, hey, pay attention. We have to interact. They can check it out, dispatch somebody, and then go back to what they’re doing.” And when something crosses the public-private line, such as a patron drifting into a staff-only corridor, the platform surfaces it in real time. The operator sees it, the field officer responds, and the boundary holds. Public stays public. Private stays private. No guessing. No discovery after the fact. Incidents are caught early, handled according to protocol, and documented with a full record attached. “The biggest benefit for us is having the tool that sorts through the noise and focuses the operators on the notifications that are actually coming in that need attention,” Branter said. Standard operating procedure The results: Median time to acknowledge incidents of 21 seconds and median time to resolve of 28 seconds using HiveWatch. Scaled the SOC from 2 operators to 6 plus a manager, with the platform absorbing the workload increase. Extended the SOC beyond the control room with mobile triage and response for field officers and operators. Equipped leadership with real-time data on acknowledgement and response times, and alarm trends, turning a reactive program into a proactive, measurable one. Positioned the program to absorb 800 additional cameras and access points without proportional headcount growth.

Hochiki Europe, working with Italian installer ELE.CO SRL, has completed the installation of a combined fire detection and emergency lighting system at a KOKO Emporio store in the Turin area. KOKO Emporio is a well-established value and family retailer with several stores across Torino and Moncalieri, offering home, clothing and lifestyle products to shoppers across the region. The store in question spans 800 square metres across a ground floor and basement. As with any busy retail floor, aisles and stock displays can make it harder for customers to find the nearest exit in an emergency, particularly those unfamiliar with the layout. The store needed a fire detection system that met current compliance requirements alongside emergency lighting capable of guiding staff and customers to safety during a fire or power failure. ESP intelligent fire detection ELE.CO SRL specified Hochiki's FIREscape+, which combines ESP intelligent fire detection with emergency lighting on a single four loop control panel. ALN-EN smoke sensors with adjustable sensitivity were installed throughout to reduce false alarms, and EN 54-23 compliant visual alarm devices were added to make alarm activation clearly visible to every occupant, working alongside ESP sounders to give full audible coverage. The basement presented a particular challenge. It houses separate retail and warehouse areas with long aisles, stock boxes and stairways, so the emergency lighting needed to keep the space illuminated and evacuation routes clear during a power outage. High power luminaries connected to the FIREscape+ panel now cover this area, guiding staff and customers to the nearest exit if the power fails or an evacuation is needed. Multi-site retail environment Ervin Peza, owner of ELE.CO SRL, said: "Hochiki's FIREscape+ system reduced installation costs significantly compared to installing two separate systems, making it the right choice for this application. Combining fire and emergency lighting on a single panel and loop reduces cabling, which simplifies both installation and maintenance." He added: "KOKO's new integrated fire and emergency lighting system means the store can run smoothly, day to day, with customers confident that any fire will be picked up quickly and that they can find their way to safety. Hochiki's addressable technology means the system can pinpoint the exact location of an incident and guide people along the safest route out, even if the power goes down." The installation shows how a combined, addressable fire and emergency lighting system can meet the practical demands of a busy, multi-site retail environment, giving store owners one system to manage rather than two.

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?

There is safety in numbers, or so the expression goes. Generally speaking, several employees working together tend to be safer than a single employee working alone. Even so, some environments require that workers complete their jobs alone, thus presenting a unique combination of security vulnerabilities. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines a lone worker as “an employee working alone, such as in a confined space or isolated location.” We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How can security technologies help to protect "lone workers?" 

As physical security technologies become more complex, it is incumbent on the dealer/integrator to have the skills and expertise needed to ensure that a system operates smoothly. The value of integrators increasingly rests on the skill sets they bring to bear when installing a system. If the skills are missing, there is a problem. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What missing skills among security integrators can cause problems for customers?