Research: Global Video Surveillance Market Remains Resilient Despite COVID-19

Research: Global Video Surveillance Market Remains Resilient Despite COVID-19

It is sometimes said that the video surveillance market is recession proof. That when economic conditions deteriorate, there continues to be spending on security hardware and software. However, market conditions in 2020 were unprecedented. Restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic meant that many organizations were closed for large parts of the year. Many of them were in sectors which normally invest heavily in video surveillance equipment (e.g. education facilities, banks, airports, retailers, sports stadia, casinos, hotels, fitness centres). It is therefore not surprising that the market for video surveillance hardware and software declined in 2020. However, what is surprising is that the rate of this decline was so modest. A new report from Novaira Insights reveals that the video surveillance market declined 2.6% in 2020. What is more, the report, “The world market for video surveillance hardware and software” forecasts a rapid recovery and high growth over the next 5 years.

According to lead analyst and founder of Novaira Insights, Josh Woodhouse, “High growth in sectors like healthcare and critical infrastructure somewhat compensated for big declines elsewhere. Also, in early 2020, a market for body temperature monitoring solutions emerged, often sold by video surveillance vendors utilizing their expertise in video. These products provided a short-term boost to their revenues”.

The COVID-19 pandemic was not the only challenge faced by the video surveillance equipment market in 2020 though. Tariffs and trade restrictions also impacted vendors. Woodhouse continued, “Chinese vendors were particularly affected. They faced both U.S. Government tariffs on their products and the NDAA ban. However, they and many other vendors were also affected by disruption in the semiconductor market such as HiSilicon being effectively unable to supply semiconductors. This caused big changes in the component supply chain.” The global video surveillance market is forecast to grow at 14.3% in 2021 and will be worth an estimated $24.5 billion.

In some markets such as the U.S., the pandemic acted as catalyst for end-users making greater use of cloud and managed services in their video surveillance systems. According to Jon Cropley, principal analyst at Novaira Insights, “Revenues for software and managed services continued to grow in the U.S. in 2020 while revenues for hardware declined.” Cropley added “In the past decade there have been many acquisitions of video surveillance software vendors. A comprehensive software and managed service offering can provide a path to transforming business models to higher recurring revenues. The transition to recurring revenues is a major industry trend”. See the entire report here from Novaira Insights.

Featured

  • 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

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

New Products

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • 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