Page 46 - Security Today, March/April 2025

E M E R G I N G T E C H N O L O G I E S
“Emerging technologies in AI, cloud
computing, and cybersecurity are
reshaping the security industry,
driving innovation and new
opportunities.”
focus on cybersecurity to protect data and maintain trust. Addi-
tionally, supporting the entire channel and value chain ensures that
solutions remain implementable, effective and competitive.
In addition, the end user needs, and expects interoperability
and collaboration of their workfl ow with digital collaboration
spaces. If we are the genesis of data, we need to facilitate the data
to these platforms, because that is where the developers will meet
us. There are also tools that manufacturers must provide system
integrators--and many are built upon cloud connectivity. These
tools can be in the form of deployment and lifecycle management
services so SIs can rapidly deploy, onboard and scale devices and
then streamline maintenance.
Trinh: When we talk about fostering innovation and develop-
ment through open platforms and no-code environments, the key
focus always comes back to security. All advanced AI tools will
leverage and interconnect data, and this is where vendors must
make signifi cant investments in the cybersecurity of their devices,
while also verifying how others validate the data that they push
out. Cameras capture data at its purest form at the far edge, so
you need to ensure that the data has been validated and has not
been altered. While chain of custody processes is typically man-
aged by larger, higher-level systems, it is benefi cial for the indus-
try to have checks and balances throughout the chain.
ARE THERE OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW
PARTNERSHIPS AND WHAT ROLES WILL THE SI
AND SECURITY DIRECTOR PLAY IN THE FUTURE?
Pettersson: There are many new players entering the market, so it
is crucial to stay cognizant of all emerging trends. The key will be
identifying opportunities to collaborate effectively—
leveraging those partnerships to strengthen your business and
adapt to the changing landscape.
We are seeing a lot of AI and smart applications in the secu-
rity space that extend into safety areas — addressing challenges
such as accidents, PPE requirements, etc. The business effi ciency
space is also showing its validity by adding safety functions into
their applications and drawing on various forms of AI, like com-
puter vision. A notable example is how BMW and Volvo are us-
ing computer vision for real-time, production-line analysis to ad-
vance effi ciency and ensure quality. Those working with business
and operational effi ciency applications tend to be more agile, and
they will easily expand into security through these safety-focused
applications. Furthermore, professionals outside the security in-
dustry are uninhibited by legacy and are apt to adopt modern de-
velopment tools. In contrast, and understandably so, those from
the security industry are more privacy-conscious and risk-averse.
4 6 Another important aspect to consider is that consultants and
solution providers — such as Accenture, Deloitte and Ernst &
Young — with whom many companies partner to implement BI
and operational effi ciency applications. They have established re-
lationships with key stakeholders across business units within the
client organization, so it is an opportunity for the SI to collaborate
with them. While these consultants may already be solid advisors
in operational effi ciency, it is an opportunity for the SI to take on
the role of trusted advisor in the security realm. These consultants,
including the independent software vendors they employ, are not
really competitors with SIs – because they are not in each other’s
domain – but they may all start to aggregate around the camera.
From my experience, the security director will rarely allow
another application to use their cameras because those cameras
have been positioned for security purposes and may not be per-
fectly angled for a business outcome application. To serve these
newer applications, more cameras are necessary, and this is where
SIs can look at these trends as bona fi de business opportunities.
Trinh: I agree. The opportunity comes from a physical instal-
lation, maintenance and servicing standpoint for the SI and that
provides value.
Pettersson: That skillset, installation and physical mainte-
nance of the infrastructure, is never going away. Infrastructure
must be lifecycle managed and that is where new opportunities
exist. I would even say that the price elasticity for a bottom-line
business-impacting solution is vastly different from a security so-
lution. And that is a compelling reason for an SI to be involved
in computer vision initiatives for their customer. When you use
video in an operational effi ciency application, you will rarely ex-
perience an objection to camera cost, because it gets baked into
the overall business outcome driven by the consultant.
Trinh: There are also opportunities for security directors,
when it comes to access control, video, and all the data produced,
valued and can be leveraged in new ways — not only for security’s
sake but also for the greater organization’s benefi t. Therefore, it
is important for SIs to fi nd a seat at the table, involve themselves
and amplify the value they bring. There is a huge opportunity in
this emerging technology space to be a thought leader, trusted
advisor and to branch out of your domain.
Emerging technologies in AI, cloud computing, and cyberse-
curity are reshaping the security industry, driving innovation and
new opportunities. These advancements enhance video surveillance
with AI-powered computer vision, enable scalable cloud solutions,
and strengthen cybersecurity as a foundation for these technologies.
As end users demand seamless integration, stakeholders — from
manufacturers to integrators — must leverage vendor relationships,
adopt hybrid environments, focus on data value, and ensure cyber-
security. Success lies in embracing these trends,
expanding roles beyond traditional security, and
contributing to broader organizational goals
with innovative, data-driven solutions.
Ralph C. Jensen is the Editor-in-Chief of Security
Today and Campus Security Today magazines.
M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 2 5 | S E C U R I T Y T O D A Y