i-PRO, a global leader at the forefront of professional security and public safety solutions, has unveiled its visionary predictions for the security industry in 2026, pointing to a transformative year ahead.
The coming year is poised to be shaped by relentless advancements in AI performance directly at the edge, an escalating demand for continuous education across all industry channels, and an unwavering commitment to cybersecurity as the bedrock of every security workflow. While AI, cloud computing, and robust cybersecurity continue to be central tenets, 2025 marked a pivotal shift where these technologies moved decisively from theoretical discussions to widespread, practical deployments. End users now unequivocally expect tangible improvements that streamline daily operations, slash unnecessary costs, and accelerate decision-making processes.
“AI is no longer a theoretical discussion confined to manufacturers, integrators, and end users,” stated Gerard Figols, Chief Operating Officer at i-PRO. “While countless AI-powered cameras have been sold, 2025 witnessed significant leaps in both accuracy and usability as more users began to explore the true capabilities of this technology for their unique requirements. The next crucial phase is about ensuring this technology is deployed responsibly, efficiently, and with the appropriate training backing it up.”
Generative AI Arrives at the Edge: A Game Changer
A standout prediction for 2026 is the imminent rise of generative AI operating directly at the network’s edge. Breakthroughs in processing hardware now empower AI models to learn and refine themselves directly on-device, significantly reducing reliance on costly server or cloud infrastructure. This innovative approach dramatically lessens bandwidth demands and circumvents the exorbitant costs associated with cloud-only analysis, which can soar to hundreds of dollars per camera per month when scaled.
By anchoring real-time analysis and self-learning capabilities at the edge, and strategically leveraging the cloud only where it adds distinct value, organizations can dramatically enhance performance without ballooning expenditures.
This fundamental shift also mirrors how operators are now interacting with video systems. The traditional, timeline-centric, reactive approach to forensic analysis is rapidly becoming obsolete. Alerts, automated detection, and metadata-driven search facilitated by natural language are emerging as the primary tools for proactive analysis. Raw video is evolving into a reference point rather than the foundational element of every inquiry, with metadata increasingly becoming the definitive operational source of truth.
Education Becomes the Industry’s Strategic Imperative
The blistering pace of change across AI, IT convergence, and cybersecurity is rapidly outpacing the industry’s existing expertise and capacity. 2026 will be the defining year when integrators begin to view education not as an optional add-on, but as an indispensable strategic investment.
“Anyone can mount an AI camera, but that doesn’t guarantee performance,” Figols emphasized. “The market urgently needs deeper understanding and repeatable best practices. Education is the only pathway to improved outcomes and the foundation for building long-term trust.”
New Avenues for Recurring Revenue Emerge for Integrators
With AI models in a state of continuous evolution and cybersecurity demanding perpetual vigilance, integrators are poised to unlock exciting new service-based revenue streams. i-PRO anticipates that recurring maintenance contracts will become a significant growth driver, encompassing critical tasks such as ongoing system updates, vital security hardening, and the essential refinement and evolution of AI algorithms.
“Technology simply does not stand still,” Figols commented. “Integrators who champion continuous updates and robust lifecycle management will not only strengthen their customer relationships but also generate substantial new value.”
Cybersecurity: The Industry’s Unwavering Top Priority
i-PRO firmly believes that cybersecurity will remain the physical security industry’s most pressing challenge in 2026. Cybersecurity underpins every facet of today’s complex physical security ecosystems. It serves as the fundamental requirement that empowers organizations to confidently adopt new technologies, from advanced AI to sophisticated cloud-based services. This critical focus perfectly aligns with i-PRO’s steadfast commitment to ethical, transparent AI governance and its pioneering achievement of the ISO/IEC 42001 certification – the world’s first global standard for AI management systems.
“Cybersecurity is the bedrock of the entire technology stack,” Figols affirmed. “Trust and data integrity are the absolute prerequisites for deploying AI and cloud capabilities with both confidence and invaluable peace of mind.”
2025 Review and a Forward-Looking Outlook
The industry experienced robust global growth in 2025, with i-PRO consistently achieving double-digit performance across all markets. The pace of innovation also remained exceptionally high, and the company anticipates that 2026 will build significantly on this momentum, driven by practical AI deployments, heightened interest in open platforms, and an expanded utilization of edge-driven intelligence.
“The installations that will truly succeed in 2026 will be characterized by openness, collaboration, cybersecurity, and will be bolstered by the right training,” Figols concluded. “The industry is evolving at an incredible speed, and staying current will be absolutely essential.”