The Watch List for 2019

The Watch List for 2019

The truth of the matter is that trends are changing every day.

We talk and write about trends at the end and beginning of each year. The truth of the matter is that trends are changing every day. Something new has developed, and introduced, and a new trend begins.

As I begin to think about 2019 and the trends we’ll see, most of them are already in the works.

Artificial Intelligence has been talked about for years, and has been part of many industries for a long time. It will become an integral part of the security industry as more complex algorithms are implemented. As people gain a better understanding of how to implement this technology, I believe it will become commonplace at the edge, on the camera platform. Remember, this is still an emerging technology and somewhat unproven, but there are several providers that have implemented this strategy.

Facial recognition also will become a vital part of the security industry; however it will require much more computing power. As noted by Brian Carle, director of product strategy at Salient Systems, “this will require more than simple analytics, such as cross line detection.”

Facial recognition will become a boon to the video surveillance market as persons of interest will become known as they attempt to enter a secure facility. For instance, airports will be able to detect terror suspects, casinos will be able to watch for known cheaters, schools will know ahead of time by identifying parents without visitation rights and retailers will be able to identify known shoplifters.

Product of origin has become a big deal and the security industry has seen several factors that will make a difference in available product. Nations not allied with the United States have been affected by imposed tariffs, and the government signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act for 2019. The truth: buyers inside and outside the government are taking a second look at where their security equipment is coming from. Political disagreements and unrest will continue to hamper international trade.

Cybersecurity will still cause a primary concern, as has been the case for several years. Fredrik Nilsson, president, Americas at Axis Communications, said that future trends and cybersecurity will only increase as connected devices and systems continue to work together. He said, “cybercriminals continually grow more crafty and relentless in their attempts to breach networks.” Cybersecurity always seems to be in the Top 5 of concerns in the industry.

The Internet of Things is not necessarily new, but it certainly has taken on a life of its own in the security industry. The capabilities of IP-based systems are in constant evolution, and the thirst for data it part of our everyday life. Technology demands new and creative ways to harness this power, ensure that it remains flexible and is a viable part of big data. IP camera manufacturers have been at the forefront in this development. Expect this trend to continue its growth and prosperity.

Not new to the security industry or any marketplace will be continued partnership. While not new, it is an always evolving trend. I believe we will see additional mergers and acquisitions in 2019. As businesses become more interconnected, people who try to work on their own will find it more difficult. I believe companies will continue to work together as partners to smooth out the bumps along the way. I also believe that integrators who pick and work with valuable partners will enjoy more long-term success.

Again, trends are not something that happens at the end of a given year, and start in January. Trends are those things that have an impact of your business at any given time and continue into the new year, and beyond. If you are positioning your company to take advantage of solutions and technology that is already available and that is being postured right now, you should be able to use all the resources for success.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.

Featured

  • Empowering and Securing a Mobile Workforce

    What happens when technology lets you work anywhere – but exposes you to security threats everywhere? This is the reality of modern work. No longer tethered to desks, work happens everywhere – in the office, from home, on the road, and in countless locations in between. Read Now

  • TSA Introduces New $45 Fee Option for Travelers Without REAL ID Starting February 1

    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly an option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, to establish identity at security checkpoints beginning on February 1, 2026. Read Now

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.