The security industry is poised for significant advancements in 2026, according to i-PRO Co., Ltd. (formerly known as Panasonic Security), a company noted for its role in professional security and public safety solutions.
Key developments will be driven by the rapid enhancement of AI capabilities at the edge, a rising need for comprehensive channel education, and an enduring focus on cybersecurity as the foundation of security operations.
Transition from Concepts to Deployments
While AI, the cloud, and cybersecurity have been focal points, 2025 marked a shift from theoretical to practical implementation of these technologies. Users now anticipate noticeable improvements that streamline operations, cut costs, and accelerate decision-making processes.
According to Gerard Figols, i-PRO's Chief Operating Officer, "AI is no longer a theoretical discussion between manufacturers, integrators, and end users." The past year witnessed significant strides in AI accuracy and usability, with many users exploring tailor-made applications of this technology.
Emergence of Generative AI at the Edge
A major prediction for 2026 is the introduction of generative AI operating at the edge
A major prediction for 2026 is the introduction of generative AI operating at the edge. Enhanced processing hardware now allows AI models to evolve directly within devices, reducing reliance on cloud or server infrastructures.
This transition minimizes bandwidth use and curtails the significant costs associated with cloud-only analysis.
Shifting Analysis Techniques
The move towards real-time, self-learning analysis at the edge aligns with changes in how operators utilize video systems. With traditional methods fading, the focus is shifting to alerts, automated detection, and metadata-driven searches.
In this context, metadata is becoming the primary tool for proactive analysis, moving away from raw video as the core inquiry source.
Education as a Strategic Investment
The rapid pace of change in AI, IT convergence, and cybersecurity outstrips the industry's current expertise
The rapid pace of change in AI, IT convergence, and cybersecurity outstrips the industry's current expertise. In 2026, integrators are expected to view education as a vital investment rather than an optional element.
Figols emphasizes that simply mounting an AI camera is insufficient without a deeper understanding and established best practices, suggesting education will enhance outcomes and foster long-term trust.
Recurring Revenue for Integrators
As AI models and cybersecurity continue to evolve, integrators stand to gain from new service-based revenue streams. Recurring maintenance contracts covering system updates, security enhancements, and AI refinement will drive significant growth.
Figols notes the importance of continuous support, stating, "Technology does not stand still. Integrators who support continuous updates and lifecycle management will strengthen their customer relationships."
Cybersecurity: An Ongoing Priority
Figols highlights the necessity of trust and data integrity in deploying AI and cloud solutions securely
i-PRO asserts that cybersecurity remains a critical concern for the physical security industry, being the bedrock for adopting advancements in AI and cloud services.
This focus is part of their commitment to ethical AI governance, reinforced by their achievement of the ISO/IEC 42001 certification. Figols highlights the necessity of trust and data integrity in deploying AI and cloud solutions securely.
Outlook for 2026
The security sector experienced notable global growth in 2025, with i-PRO achieving double-digit performance across its markets. This momentum is set to continue into 2026, with expectations of practical AI applications, increased interest in open platforms, and expanded utilization of edge-driven intelligence.
Figols concludes that successful 2026 installations will feature openness, collaboration, cybersecurity, and appropriate training, emphasizing the importance of staying informed in a rapidly evolving industry.
i-PRO Co., Ltd. (formerly Panasonic Security), a pioneer in professional security and public safety solutions, now shared its predictions for the security industry in 2026.
The year ahead will continue to be defined by rapid advances in AI performance at the edge, growing demand for continuous education across the channel, and a persistent focus on cybersecurity as the basis for every security workflow.
While AI, cloud, and cybersecurity remain central themes, 2025 marked the point where these technologies increasingly shifted from conceptual discussions to practical deployments. End users now expect tangible improvements that simplify daily work, cut unnecessary costs, and help them make decisions faster.
Manufacturers, integrators, and end users
“AI is no longer a theoretical discussion between manufacturers, integrators, and end users. While many AI-powered cameras have been sold, in 2025, we saw meaningful gains in accuracy and usability as more users explored the capabilities of what the technology could achieve for their unique requirements."
"The next phase is about ensuring the technology is deployed responsibly, efficiently, and with the right training behind it,” said Gerard Figols, Chief Operating Officer at i-PRO.
Generative AI arrives at the edge
A key prediction for 2026 is the emergence of generative AI running directly on the edge. Improvements in processing hardware now allow models to learn and refine themselves directly on-device instead of relying solely on server or cloud infrastructure.
This model significantly reduces bandwidth demands and avoids the steep cost associated with cloud-only analysis, which can reach hundreds of dollars per camera per month when done at scale.
Real-time analysis and self-learning
By keeping real-time analysis and self-learning at the edge while using the cloud only where it adds value, organizations can improve performance without overspending.
This shift also aligns with how operators now use video systems. The traditional timeline-centric, reactive approach to forensic analysis is fading. Alerts, automated detection, and metadata-driven search using natural language are becoming the primary tools for proactive analysis. Raw video becomes a reference point rather than the cornerstone of every inquiry, while metadata increasingly becomes the operational source of truth.
Education becomes a core industry requirement
The pace of change in AI, IT convergence, and cybersecurity is exceeding the industry’s available expertise and capacity. 2026 will be the year integrators treat education as a strategic investment, not an optional extra.
“Anyone can mount an AI camera. That does not mean it will perform. The market needs deeper understanding and repeatable best practices. Education is how we improve outcomes and build long-term trust,” said Figols.
New recurring revenue opportunities for integrators
With AI models evolving continuously and cybersecurity requiring continued vigilance, integrators will see new service-based revenue opportunities. i-PRO expects recurring maintenance contracts to become a major revenue growth driver, covering tasks such as ongoing system updates, security hardening, and AI-algorithm refinement and evolution.
“Technology does not stand still. Integrators who support continuous updates and lifecycle management will strengthen their customer relationships and generate new value,” said Figols.
Cybersecurity remains the industry’s most urgent priority
i-PRO believes that cybersecurity will remain one of the physical security industry’s most pressing challenges in 2026. Cybersecurity underpins every part of the physical security ecosystems.
It is the baseline requirement that allows organizations to adopt new technologies, from AI to cloud-based services, with confidence. This focus aligns with i-PRO’s commitment to ethical, transparent AI governance and its achievement of the ISO/IEC 42001 certification, the first global standard for AI management systems.
“Cybersecurity underpins the entire technology stack. Trust and data integrity are the prerequisites for deploying AI and cloud capabilities with confidence and piece of mind,” said Figols.
2025 review and outlook
The industry saw strong global growth in 2025 with i-PRO maintaining double-digit performance across all markets. The pace of innovation also remained high, and the company expects 2026 to build on this momentum with practical AI deployments, greater interest in open platforms, and expanded use of edge-driven intelligence.
“The installations that succeed in 2026 will be open, collaborative, cybersecure, and supported by the right training. The industry is evolving quickly, and staying current will be essential,” concluded Figols.
