There are simply too many video streams from cameras for people to effectively monitor, so AI-powered analytics will be a catalyst, enabling security departments to achieve more with less. This evolution will drive a significant shift in physical security, allowing organizations to be more proactive in responding to events in real time, rather than reacting to past incidents. 2023 will see a move from video capture to data collection. The challenge will be how effectively organizations can use this data, not only for security but also in cross-departmental operations that increase efficiency and revenue. Integrated processing will become the norm as the power of the system itself increases. New ways of harnessing the distributed power of the IoT through container technologies will continue to gain traction. Container technology, such as Docker and Kubernetes, and the concept of shared resources across multiple devices, will increase processing speed, improve the integration of analytical plug-ins, and increase the speed of firmware updates, as well as the deployment of new analytics.

Open AI platforms will offer maximum flexibility

As AI-based technologies continue to advance, the industry will continue to see the creation of specialized tools by expert developers focused on solving unique problems. Open platforms allow top developers to access large markets. Just as with today's successful app-based economy for computers and smartphones, this proven model will continue to evolve, offering integrators and users the level of customization they expect from the technology. The future of the industry will be led by those who embrace an open strategy as a best business practice. Building flexible infrastructures that AI analytics developers can easily connect to will contribute to the democratization of AI beyond security.

Privacy protection will remain a key factor.
Concerns about personal privacy continue to rise worldwide, with varying degrees of compliance being demanded by the industry. For example, in 2023, the United States could follow the European lead and enact a data privacy law similar to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) at the federal level. According to United Nations estimates, more than 70% of countries worldwide have enacted data protection and privacy laws. As governments attempt to meet citizens' demands for greater rights over their data, these laws continue to evolve. The ability to mask faces while maintaining a protected secondary data stream for evidentiary purposes will be a highly sought-after feature in the near future. As always, the industry must focus on making it easy for customers and users to comply with any new laws, as well as the GDPR. More prudent manufacturers are already taking steps to incorporate data privacy into their processes as best practices.

Cybersecurity awareness and zero trust

While security professionals are well aware of the geopolitical risks posed by untrustworthy state-owned manufacturers, the continued push to secure networks by IT specialists and network providers will create even greater cybersecurity awareness in 2023. We expect that in 2023 more European governments will follow the lead of the US NDAA, which prevents authorities from installing surveillance systems from certain blacklisted manufacturers in sensitive locations. Through a recent executive order, the White House has mandated federal compliance with Zero Trust architecture and design by 2024. This will represent a major shift in US federal policy by 2023, with implications for all businesses operating within the country. We anticipate the continued adoption of Zero Trust practices that validate every transaction between devices and people. Cybersecurity as a pillar of corporate responsibility will become an emerging trend as companies seek to safeguard business continuity for their customers.

Supply chain problems will persist

Although supply chain challenges in the technology sector will persist into 2023, the hard lessons learned are driving the adoption of policies to prevent the types of disruptions we've seen from happening again. However, most of the proposed solutions are in the early stages of deployment and may not be fully operational within the next 12 months. Manufacturers and integrators will need to carefully orchestrate and manage channel expectations. Seeking out manufacturers with reliable supply chains and a high level of transparency regarding product availability and delivery times will give them the best chance of fulfilling contracts.

“2023 promises to be a pivotal and transitional year for security professionals, as companies seek stability but have fewer resources to work with,” says Norio Hitsuishi, global director of product management at i-PRO Co., Ltd.“The physical security industry has the potential to step up and help companies achieve more with less by offering a wealth of data and insights not only to help protect people and assets but also to help improve the bottom line.”