The physical security industry is undergoing a major transformation, driven by rapid developments around artificial intelligence and cloud technologies. These trends are expected to shape the future of security, offering enhanced capabilities and new opportunities.

Generative AI is transforming video surveillance
Generative AI has come to the forefront because of its ability to create new content, such as text, images and video, from existing data. In the field of physical security, generative AI is expected to redefine the capabilities of video surveillance. Traditionally, video surveillance has required extensive manual effort to check the footage, a time-consuming task prone to human error. Artificial intelligence will automate this process, allowing systems to control many hours of video with speed and accuracy.
The main function of video surveillance will shift from simple recording to intelligent search and analysis. This capability will turn it into a proactive tool, providing real-time information and enhancing security measures. The evolution of artificial intelligence will bring to the fore even more sophisticated applications, making video surveillance systems smarter and more effective.
Analytics with TN offer real value
AI-based analytics have already started to revolutionise the physical security industry, providing more information and data as they can automatically analyse video data, extracting important insights in real-time. This transition from manual monitoring to automated analysis marks a major shift in the way security is managed.
The value of AI-based analytics will become more apparent as more organisations adopt them. AI can help to more effectively prevent, detect and respond to security incidents by providing real-time data analysis along with useful insights. For example, it can analyse patterns and detect anomalies that may indicate potential security threats, enabling faster and more effective decision-making.
AI-powered analytics will unlock new use cases and applications, providing even more value to end users. The ability to leverage AI for predictive analysis and risk assessment is expected to become a critical element of modern security strategies.
More and more organisations are turning to the cloud
Cloud technology has changed the way many industries operate and physical security could be no exception. Initially, cloud-based solutions were mainly adopted by the so-called “early adopters”. However, as the benefits of the technology became more apparent, a new ‘wave of users’ and organisations, referred to as ‘wise adopters’, made their appearance.
They are not just looking for the latest technology, but solutions that deliver business value and practical benefits. Cloud-based security solutions offer many advantages, such as scalability, flexibility and cost-effectiveness. By moving to the cloud, organisations can manage and deploy security systems more efficiently, reduce infrastructure costs and benefit from advanced features such as real-time updates and remote access.
In the near future, we’ll see even more businesses transition to cloud-based security solutions due to the need for improved performance and enhanced capabilities. This transformation will also lead to more comprehensive and improved security systems that will help businesses protect their assets and ensure the safety of their operations.
Integrated solutions beyond security
The security technology landscape is becoming increasingly complex, with many systems and devices required to work together seamlessly. The vision of a unified solution that integrates all of these elements has long been a goal for the industry. In the near future, this vision is expected to become a reality.
Advances in artificial intelligence and analytics are driving the development of integrated security solutions that offer value beyond traditional security functions. These solutions will not only enhance security, but also improve overall business operations. For example, they will be able to provide insights into employee productivity, infrastructure management and customer behavior, with a holistic view of the organization’s operations.
Leading integrators will play a critical role in this transformation, providing intelligent solutions that address specific business needs. By partnering with customers and understanding the challenges, integrators will be able to develop customized solutions, helping organizations optimize their operations and achieve their goals.
The cloud goes from luxury to necessity
The adoption of cloud technology in the physical security industry is steadily gaining momentum and is now evolving from a luxury to a necessity. The increasing demand for significant processing power to support artificial intelligence applications is one of the key “drivers” behind this process.
Cloud computing offers the processing capabilities needed to handle the vast amounts of data generated by modern security systems. As artificial intelligence continues to evolve and be integrated into security solutions, the need for scalable and flexible cloud resources will become even more critical. Organizations will rely on the cloud to deliver the full potential of AI security technologies, ensuring they can adapt to changing requirements and stay ahead of emerging threats.
The ability of the cloud to provide updates, remote access and seamless integration with other systems in real time makes it a key component of modern security strategies. As a result, it is expected that there will be widespread adoption of cloud-based security solutions due to the need for improved capabilities and performance.
The rise of decision intelligence
Decision intelligence is an emerging field that combines human judgment with the computational power of technology to improve decision-making models and processes. In the physical security industry, it will play a critical role in enhancing decision making and improving strategy around security.
In the very near future it will be integrated into the operations of many organisations, providing security and IT professionals with key knowledge to make informed decisions quickly. Leveraging artificial intelligence and analytics, decision intelligence will enhance decision-making, enabling more accurate and timely responses in the face of security incidents.
Automation will also play an important role, allowing organisations to implement predefined processes that require minimal human intervention. This approach can be particularly useful in situations where rapid response is critical – such as identifying and mitigating security threats.
AI innovation is transforming security
AI-based innovation has the potential to transform security in many areas. In commercial real estate, for example, the rise of remote working is changing the security and video surveillance needs of businesses. With more employees working from home, organisations are being asked to re-evaluate their infrastructure to ensure the security of their premises.
AI can help address these challenges by providing advanced solutions that adapt to the changing dynamics of the modern work landscape. For example, video surveillance systems can be used to monitor smart buildings, ensuring the safety and comfort of their occupants.
In education, AI can enhance safety by providing a more proactive and layered approach to protect students, teachers and staff. Using sensors, analytics and artificial intelligence, integrated security systems can respond quickly to critical events and anticipate potential threats.
Facing a major transformation
The physical security industry is on the threshold of a major transformation, driven by developments in artificial intelligence and cloud technologies. The seven top trends for 2024 bring to the fore the potential for innovation to revolutionise physical security, offering improved capabilities and new opportunities for every organisation.
As these trends develop, the physical security industry will continue to evolve, adopting new technologies and approaches that improve efficiency and business value. Organisations that follow these trends and adopt innovative solutions will be able to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the future.