I think I gave myself away as a “security newbie” by saying GSX was the biggest conference I have ever been to — because everyone I spoke to had no problem telling me the security industry often sees even larger conferences.

That doesn’t negate the fact that GSX is a huge conference, pulling in thousands of security personnel across the ecosystem to display their products and solutions. As a newbie (celebrating two months with SDM as of the conference’s conclusion), I had so much to learn.

GSX featured multiple companies breaking new ground in different markets: Axon and its innovative approach to body-worn cameras, IDIS and its nearly unhackable software, and System Surveyor and its technology-first approach to system designs and site surveys. The conference was also home to recurring technological themes, special on- and off-site events, and countless leaders sharing their thoughts on the future of security.

Aside from the exciting nightlife and delicious beignets The Big Easy offers, ahead are three key takeaways from the conference and surrounding security events.

The Buzzwords: AI, Cloud, & Open Platforms

As is the case across many business sectors and even end-users, buzzwords like “AI” and “the cloud” were running rampant through the GSX show floor.

On the AI front, Generative AI (GenAI) is the “low-hanging fruit” for companies like Everon, which is looking to measured and strategic in its potential rollout of AI solutions. GenAI can serve as a simple, time-saving solutions for companies that are just starting out  — i.e., by recording and summarizing phone calls to help salespeople be more efficient and provide better customer service.

AI is also low-hanging fruit for Systems Integrator of the Year Minutemen, whose executive team is challenging employees to question current processes and find out where AI can be a plug-and-play. For example, Ron Oetjen, the company’s corporate president, shared that Minutemen leaders are actively thinking about which immediate areas of their job functions could be best outsourced to automative systems and exploring ways to augment with AI.

AI capabilities are already a reality for many companies across the security ecosystem:

• Genetec’s AI solutions allow users to highlight part of a video with a quick drag of the mouse, and the technology will show all recent activity around that object or person. For example, by highlighting me on their video feed, in under 10 seconds, the interface showed every time I was in camera view — from walking up to the booth, to sitting down with Genetec leaders.
• Bosch’s system allows users to ask AI direct questions, eliminating the need to comb through hours of video footage to find answers. The company had cameras actively monitoring a street view and could ask the AI system a simple question — for example, “Is there someone walking through the crosswalk on their phone?” This prompted the AI system, which was live tracking and monitoring these cameras, to quickly outline a response and pinpoint areas in the video recording where someone was walking through the crosswalk while using their phone.
• Alarm.com’s AI deterrence solution frees up manpower and makes monitoring stations more efficient. Instead of having someone sit and monitor an off-limits area and speak into a microphone to deter trespassers or intruders, an AI system can now detect such solicitors and relay a detailed message. For example, if the system spots a person wearing a red coat in an area they should not be, it can relay a customized message, “You, in the red coat, are on private property and must vacate the area immediately,” without the need for human interaction. It is also capable of more targeted messaging. A retail location can build a friendly message, “Thank you for stopping by, but we are currently closed. Our store hours are…” instead of spitting out a more aggressive, “Vacate the premises immediately!” and driving potential customers away.
• Acoem uses AI to detect gunshots. Once a loud sound is detected — for example, fireworks, or someone clapping — the AI system works in a handful of seconds to identify whether the sound was a gunshot or not. If it does detect a gunshot, it will immediately relay the video and audio clip to a real person, who can take action from there. This helps monitoring employees be more efficient and is built to ultimately reduce fall positive and have zero false negatives.

The cloud is just as prominent as such AI solutions. Nearly every company I spoke to already has cloud integration or is planning on moving to the cloud soon. Some companies, like Genetec, are emphasizing the need for industry-wide education around the cloud so security employees know its exact capabilities and can relay these to customers. Genetec works solely through channel partners and is striving to educate these partners about the cloud, its capabilities, and how to implement it with revenue in mind. Genetec is also focused on IT stakeholders’ growing involvement in decision-making around the cloud and thus working to bridge the gap between IT and security teams.

Like the cloud, it was rare to run into a company that didn’t emphasize open platforms. Many companies are committed to moving away from siloed pieces of technology that typically do not talk to each other. The goal of this shift is for all of these technologies to come together and for data streams to flow seamlessly between these products, given the rapid advancement of technology and the new platforms becoming available every single day.

But “AI” and “the cloud” aren’t just buzzwords. Multiple companies are focused on and committed to making these technological advancements easier for clients to understand, safer to use, and poised to solve real problems to enhance ROI.

The Integrator Perspective: Clients Are Confused

As stated above, the “thematic noise” running through GSX was tech, tech, and more tech. Every single company was talking about AI, the cloud, open platforms, and other technologies (i.e., a $100,000 robotics device that had many wondering if robotics is going to be the next big movement, given the affordability).

Though these technologies are ultimately extremely beneficial, and the likelihood of getting left behind if not focused on these advancements is extremely high, they’re creating confusion and complexity for customers. Convergint and Genetec’s joint press conference during GSX addressed this issue head-on.

Alain Bissada, area vice president of sales, North America, Genetec and Eric Yunag, executive vice president of products and services, Convergint came together to discuss how the “buzzword” technologies are no doubt imperative, but they need to be leveraged correctly, put in the right context, and solve actual problems that clients are having.

2026 is the year of modernization, and companies that don’t build a modernization roadmap risk getting left behind, Bissada and Yunag said. 2026 is poised for the movement due to the solid foundation for automation, AI, and real-time threat detection; IT mandates, regulatory environments, breakthrough tech converging; and the transformation of fragmented operations into unified, intelligent ecosystem.

Security companies need to be ready for this because clients are frustrated. On top of technology modernization, the ever-evolving threat landscape, marketplace evolution, and stakeholder expectations are creating confusion. There are more security and technology companies in the marketplace, which means lots of voice telling customers, “here is the right answer.” Additionally, stakeholders are increasingly expected to respond to risk mandates quickly, which continue to accelerate at similar speeds to the evolving risk and security landscape. “No organization is ready for the complex threats out there at any given time, and you have to continue to be nimble,” Yunag said.

The solution, though, is not to “rip and replace” existing systems, processes, and technologies; the answer lies in testing, validating, having a backup, etc. to involve technologies and solutions like AI, the cloud, and open platforms.

Bissada and Yunag urge organizations to stop simply responding to budget pressures and threats. Don’t pursue advancements when it’s convenient, or when it’s suddenly a necessity. Instead, take a step back and think about where you want to go with technology. Instead of grabbing onto the technological capabilities and forcing them into existing system, evaluate the existing systems first, research the capabilities out there, and find ways to implement these new solutions from there.

The Impacts & Innovations of the City’s Real-Time Crime Center

On Tuesday morning, Axis Communications hosted a behind-the-scenes tour of the New Orleans Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC), offering a glimpse into one of the city’s most critical public safety operations. Opened in November 2017 and fully operational in a 24/7 format since February 2018, the RTCC has played a role in saving more than 50,000 manpower hours. “We’re here when seconds count and when moments matter,” said Ross Bourgeois, director, public safety support services/Real Time Crime Center, City of New Orleans.

Operating as a public safety tool, RTCC serves as a “tool in an officer’s toolbelt,” though it is not exclusive to officers, Bourgeois said. The center currently manages a network of over 1,500 city-owned surveillance cameras, along with another 1,500 cameras federated into the system. It also oversees more than 200 license plate readers across the city.

The RTCC is designed to be both powerful and secure. All archived footage is stored for 30 days on a private, firewalled network that is separate from the city’s broader IT infrastructure. Two-factor authentication and USB-based security measures are in place. The center notably remained virtually untouched during the city’s 2019 ransomware attack, a testament to its commitment to safety and privacy. “We’re able to conduct our mission and be secure all at the same time,” Bourgeois said.

The center is also built for resilience and adaptability. It operates around the clock with a staff of five per 12-hour shift — one supervisor and four analysts. While not part of the police department’s organizational structure, the center works closely with law enforcement. Officers have access to three dedicated workstations on-site for directing live operations.

The RTCC aims to be more than a crime prevention center. It also assists with large-scale events, sometimes deploying additional personnel or mobile workstations, including during the Super Bowl. Its tech backbone includes Axis-manufactured cameras, Genetec’s video management systems, and integration through Motorola Solutions’ CommandCentral Aware platform.

The center falls directly in line with the GSX theme of using AI strategically. RTCC is cautious about adopting AI due to its unwavering commitment to taking proper safety and privacy measures, though the center is exploring future applications like water rise detection. RTCC already plays a role in emergency responses, including during flooding events, and is considering expanding staff and technology capabilities as the city’s needs evolve to continue to serve keep New Orleans safe and secure.

The Path Ahead

As a security “newbie,” GSX was a crash course in where the industry is now, and where it’s headed. The conference underscored the future of security: integration, innovation, and intentionality. Amid the tech buzz, it was clear that that real transformation only happens when these tools are used thoughtfully to solve real-world problems. For security professionals, integrators, and vendors alike, the path forward isn’t just about embracing new technologies; it’s about doing so with clarity, purpose, and a deep understanding of what customers truly need.