Although 2020 has had its unpredictability, dealers are looking to the future and finding the security trends that have the potential to define 2021. SDM looked at predictions from EagleEye Networks, Hanwha Techwin, Veego, STANLEY Security and Pro-Vigil to see what next year will have in store for the security industry.

Increased Focus on IoT and AI

Hanwha Techwin predicts that increased computing power along with improved AI algorithms are driving the trend towards AI and machine learning running on IoT devices instead of expensive and resource hungry on-premise data servers. According to Veego, AI will help service providers with customer service when smart device manufacturers are being inundated with support calls, which can be timely and complex.

However, according to Andrew Gibson, solutions engineering consultant, STANLEY Security, companies must control how they implement IoT.

“When IoT was first introduced, manufacturers created an abundance of solutions –– and were quickly sought after by companies,” Gibson said. “However, they never addressed how the devices would interact with networks. The global IoT market is only expected to grow in the next 10 years and as we look toward 2021, companies must find ways to intelligently control devices on their networks with strict guidelines around device governance to eliminate potential threats.”

Protecting Data

With many workforces staying remote until summer 2021, cybersecurity has become a greater focus for security companies. Additionally, there’s been a tremendous amount of technology hitting the market, which comes with a lot of data. According to predictions by Hanwha Techwin, as privacy protection regulations are being introduced around the world — such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) — the video surveillance industry is increasingly adopting “privacy by design” best practices and increasing its efforts to protect personal data from misuse and abuse. Organizations are increasingly aware of the dangers of private data breaches and are becoming more discerning when evaluating security products and solutions they can trust.

Better Video & Video Data

Cameras are moving from 1080p resolution to 4K, allowing for clearer, larger images with fewer cameras. Plus, the addition of AI allows for better crime detection. Pro-Vigil predicts that video surveillance systems that leverage AI functionality will move beyond mere object recognition to predictive deterrence using a pre-defined set of criteria. For example, if someone emerges from the shadows carrying a bolt cutter near a chained fence gate, it could notify a business owner or even turn on lights and make announcements to deter the person from attempting a break-in.

“A number of factors are driving the video surveillance trends in 2021,” said Hans Kahler, vice president of operations at Eagle Eye Networks. “Innovation from companies like Eagle Eye Networks and our partners is leading and meeting the demands of customers for their video surveillance systems to provide business insights in addition to security. Combine the promise of AI and cloud video surveillance with the volatility, instability, and remote work environment of 2020 and we have an environment where people are looking for their video surveillance and security systems to deliver more business value than ever before. The acceleration of cloud adoption and use of analytics to provide improved security and drive business improvement will make 2021 a transformative year for the industry.”

Increased Use of the Cloud

According to Hanwha Techwin, cloud technology is playing an increasingly crucial role in safely managing edge devices, analyzing large amounts of data and deriving useful insights. The cloud can quickly install security patches, update new features and manage and maintain edge devices. The need to integrate and manage data collected from different devices has been increasing, with more companies implementing cloud solutions in their technology.