Cloud, collaboration, and analytics take centre stage in 2024, reveals Genetec

The physical security industry is undergoing a transformative shift, driven by advancements in technology and evolving threats.

Leading the charge is Genetec, a pioneer in unified security solutions. The company recently unveiled its forecast for 2024. Here are its key predictions:

1. Breaking down of silos, as IT and physical security unite: Gone are the days of isolated teams. In 2024, collaboration between IT and physical security departments will be critical. This merger will yield numerous benefits, including more effective risk identification and response strategies, and streamlined data sharing to create a holistic view of security postures, enabling informed decision-making.

With IT spearheading security initiatives, cloud adoption will accelerate, offering scalability and centralised management.

2. Modernising access control by embracing open solutions and cloud capabilities: To ease upgrade complexities, many organisations will shift to a hybrid-cloud model and deploy cloud-ready access control solutions.  Flexibility will be key, with systems readily integrating with diverse technologies such as building management and mobile credentials. Companies will break free from siloed video and access control systems to simplify management and reduce costs.

3. Cloud adoption seeing a rise as hybrid solutions fuel growth: Genetec’s research has revealed that cloud adoption is surging, with 44 per cent of organisations already leveraging it for a quarter of their security deployments. This trend will continue, driven by plug-and-play appliances. These not only streamline access to cloud services but also enhance computing power at the edge.

Genetec says we’ll also see more focus on cloud data usage and associated costs. Users will increasingly use cloud-managed appliances to store heavy data such as video.

Organisations will seek the expertise of channel partners to help maximise cloud investments and explore new use cases beyond security. These will pose recurring revenue opportunities for the channel partners, who can offer valuable services to help clients navigate cloud challenges.

4. Companies to extract value from data, as the use of analytics and automation rises: The market is seeing a surge in the availability of physical security devices and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) sensors. Organisations across various industries are eagerly adopting these technologies, not only to increase the diversity of data in their security deployments but also to break down siloes between systems and retrieve valuable information.

Organisations that opt for an API-centric, open architecture, along with a unified approach will stand to gain the most over time. This will enable seamless data aggregation and analysis from multiple sources.

As the amount of available data continues to rise, many organisations will also look for ways to digitise and automate their workflows to support their operators. As a result, demand for physical security solutions with embedded analytics, automation tools, and visual dashboards will grow.

Cloud security solutions gain prominence

Furthermore, Genetec has also found that the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region are increasingly embracing cloud security solutions. The company’s 2024 State Physical Security report for MEA, which is based on insights from close to 700 physical security leaders – including end users and channel partners, found that 40 per cent of end users were leveraging cloud or hybrid solutions, a significant increase from the previous year. Seventy-four per cent of channel partners expect to see increased demand for cloud and hybrid solutions. A hybrid approach was also seen as optimal by the respondents, with 60 per cent of end users preferring a blend of on-premises and cloud deployments.

The report found that the transition to hybrid systems is already in progress, with 12 per cent of MEA-based end-users stating that their organisations are currently storing video surveillance data both locally and in the cloud, marking a notable increase from the 4 per cent reported last year’s survey.

Firas Jadalla, regional director – Middle East, Turkey & Africa, Genetec, said: “The adoption of the cloud in the physical security industry is steadily gaining prominence, with the future for most physical security solutions appearing to be a blend of on-premises and cloud-based solutions.

“For organisations in the Middle East and Africa, combining hybrid cloud technology with what they have on-site allows them to respond to new business requirements promptly. These are exciting times for the industry as it embraces change and adapts to new ways of supporting customers to thrive in a dynamic landscape.”

Read: Genetec forecasts shift in video surveillance landscape with AI-driven innovations

Genetec’s commitment to the region

To support this growth, Genetec recently opened a state-of-the-art experience centre in Dubai.

Named DBXC, the new experience centre and office is strategically located at One Central in the Dubai World Trade Centre and features innovative solutions from Genetec and its large ecosystem of industry-leading technology partners.  The new facility will serve as a hub for Genetec partners and customers in the Middle East, Turkey and Africa.

The new facility features a technology centre to showcase real-world security operation centre (SOC) operations and a training centre to equip partners and customers with the latest security expertise. It also has a collaborative space for the Genetec team and its partners to foster innovation and knowledge sharing.

“In an era where threats continue to evolve in sophistication, our commitment to supporting our customers and partners in the region is steadfast,” said Jadalla.  “Our UAE office expansion and new experience center exemplify our dedication to empowering our channel partners and customers with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the complex security landscape.”

The Dubai Experience Center is the latest addition to the company’s existing experience facilities in Montreal, Paris, London, Singapore, Mexico City, and Washington DC.