As 2024 comes to an end, the security industry is looking forward to a new year of opportunity. Given that we are amidst the AI revolution, most predictions are unsurprisingly centered on AI. But don’t confuse “unsurprisingly” for not being excited about the potential. Ahead, experts from Johnson Controls, Xtract One, and more offer a forecast for the industry’s 2025 as they see it.

More Accurate Threat Detection

Threat detection is an area of great promise for AI. Though the technology often mistakes the harmless for cause for alarm, Peter Evans, CEO, Xtract One Technologies, Toronto, predicts, “AI algorithms will significantly advance in distinguishing between harmless, everyday items and potential threats. With this, we will see false alerts become even more rare. Heightened detection capabilities will also enable individuals to keep everything on them when they enter and exit facilities through security systems. This will reduce the need for secondary screening, which will in turn dramatically improve both safety and user experience in high-traffic areas.”

Evans continues, “Machine learning algorithms will enable security systems to adapt in the moment to real, changing threat landscapes. By continually learning from the data they collect while in use, the technology will become even smarter the more it is used. As the systems continue to develop, it will allow security measures to remain effective against developing risks.”

Ryan Carson, vice president, global strategy & product management, access control & video surveillance, Johnson Controls, adds, “Unsurprisingly, the momentum of AI in physical security will only accelerate. However, AI analytics will take center stage in ACVS platforms, revolutionizing security operations through automated identification and rapid response. This advanced technology will expand its use of real-time data from badge swipes and video feeds, dramatically reducing incident response times and setting new standards that have yet to be done before.”

Innovative Threat Response

Building on that, Kevin Woodworth, vice president, global product management, intrusion, Johnson Controls, Glendale, Wis., highlights the increased focus on what comes after the threat has been detected. “We are leaving the era of security cameras that simply capture an image and send it to a system for human analysis and decision making,” Woodworth says. “Cameras will be able to not only detect potential threats but also mitigate them instantly, issuing vocal warnings, controlling access, or escalating issues without human intervention. The pain points of delayed response times and reliance on human monitoring will become obsolete, paving the way for smarter, more efficient security solutions for even the most basic security systems.”

And in perhaps the most futuristic prediction, Evans says, “In the year ahead, we will see AI progress past reactive measures to achieve predictive capabilities. Through analyzing data points on patterns and behaviors, security systems will be able to predict potential threats before they materialize and become a security concern.”

Increased Interoperability

The experts agree that the lines between solutions are blurring, producing the all-encompassing “security solution” — or at least that’s the idea. “The demand for efficiency in security operations will blur the lines between different areas of security — intrusion, access control, video surveillance — meaning new products added to singular systems must be interoperable,” Woodworth says. “In 2025, organizations will need to embrace interoperability. Those that fail to do so will face higher costs, inefficiencies, and vulnerabilities as outdated, siloed systems struggle to keep pace with emerging challenges.”

Evans agrees. “AI-driven systems will enable more seamless and non-invasive security protocols. With this, we can expect to see a shift towards integrated solutions that maintain high security standards, all while making the process seamless and unobtrusive for those passing through the security checkpoint.”

Greg Parker, global vice president, security and fire, life cycle management, Johnson Controls, adds, “As cyber and physical security increasingly intersect, zero-trust architectures will be essential to safeguard access and mitigate vulnerabilities. Organizations must ensure all users, devices and systems are verified continuously with robust access controls to prevent unauthorized intrusions into physical security systems. I anticipate zero-trust becoming the industry standard, especially for facilities leveraging IoT and cloud-based solutions, where the stakes for security and operational continuity are higher than ever.”

Interconnectivity Brings Threats

Integrators need to be more diligent than ever in this increasingly interconnected landscape, Parker says. “The growing interconnectivity of building management systems brings new risks, including unvetted device access and limited visibility into system components,” he says. “In 2025, facility managers need a layered risk management strategy that incorporates tiered system criticality, comprehensive remediation plans, and continuous auditing.”

But AI also presents the solution to some of these risks, like in the case of predictive maintenance. “Managed services that monitor and optimize physical assets throughout their lifecycle will be table stakes. This includes critical functions like firmware updates, system health monitoring, and ensuring proper functionality. Predictive maintenance powered by AI will play a pivotal role in addressing vulnerabilities proactively, minimizing downtime and costs while bolstering security.”

Importance of User Experience

While technology continues to become more advanced and more complex, experts agree that it is increasingly important to keep the user experience simple. “As security solutions become more complex with the integration of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, organizations must keep the user experience top of mind,” Pandit says. “The latest technology may help streamline security operations on the back end, but doing so while ensuring ease of use is critical to keeping and securing new end users without compromising overall security.”

Carson offers the same bit of advice heading into 2025. “Technology will continue to evolve at an unprecedented pace, but while innovation is crucial, it cannot stand alone — the human factor remains pivotal,” he says. “As we approach 2025, it’s vital to prioritize user feedback to ensure that technological advancements are tailored to enhance both safety and system protection. For leaders in physical security, the pressure to refine security and safety practices will only intensify, as failure to do so will deter the ability to deliver the optimal user experience.”

Woodworth agrees, adding, “Users and installers demand simplicity and adaptability, even as security devices grow more complex. Next year will see a growing focus from product developers on designing systems that streamline setup and configuration through increased AI integration. This reflects a broader trend of leveraging AI to simplify use and enhance adaptability as solutions evolve, rather than simply employing it because it’s popular.”

Woodworth continues, “AI-driven prompts will guarantee that technicians can deliver expert-level installations every time, ensuring that all elements of a system from cameras to touchscreens are running. This will enable customers to easily manage and adapt their systems with new products and updates post-installation. AI-driven simplicity will lead to a fundamental shift in how security systems are designed, implemented and managed, moving from manual, expertise-led processes to intelligent, AI-driven systems. This will make security smarter, more accessible, and more scalable than ever.”

New Regulations, New Roles

It’s worth noting that this technology is so new that it’s guaranteed new regulations are soon to follow. “As emerging technologies like AI and cloud computing continue to advance, it is inevitable that regulatory compliance frameworks will evolve alongside them,” Carson says. “Drawing lessons from previous standards such as GDPR and CCPA, the security industry must remain proactive in adapting its systems to meet the demands of new, rapidly changing regulations. With our understanding of these technologies still in the early stages, 2025 will likely serve as a pivotal year, highlighting the need for heightened ethical and responsible technology use.”

As these regulations roll out, Faisal Pandit, vice president & general manager, global security products, Johnson Controls, predicts it could mean increased roles. “With organizations increasing their focus on the regulatory environment, there will be an uptick in specialized certification programs to meet these needs,” he says. “New security roles will emerge that will be focused on tracking and applying relevant regulatory changes, an area of product development that currently lacks awareness across the industry. This increase in certifications and specializations will not only improve product outcomes but will also be instrumental in mitigating existing and looming talent shortages.”

Adjacent to regulation, there’s industry standardization. There are many initiatives in the industry that are pushing standardization — and its benefits — forward. “One of the biggest trends we see is a strong demand for flexibility in technology investments,” Brad Cook, head of product integration, Alfred International, North York, Ontario, says, “Developers and property managers are very risk-averse to being locked into proprietary systems. By choosing open solutions that support multiple protocols — such as Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Wi-Fi — properties gain the flexibility to adapt as technology advances, avoiding costly hardware overhauls. This shift toward non-proprietary solutions benefits both the present and future of property management.”

AI Isn’t the ‘End All, Be All’

While AI is the talk of the town, there are many who are taking a conservative and responsible approach to the tech. Pandit, for example, says, “Artificial intelligence is a new and exciting technology that is having drastic effects on physical security, but it isn’t — and shouldn’t be — the ultimate deciding factor of security operations. While AI as a tool to streamline workflows and improve physical security has been invaluable and more users see the value of AI and data, it isn’t an umbrella solution. The future of security operations includes customizable, scalable solutions where users can control if, when, and how they use AI to improve efficiency depending on the size and function of their organization.”