Netwatch USA - Experts & Thought Leaders

Netwatch, a pioneer in proactive video monitoring and AI-enabled security services, announces the appointment of Justin Nagy as Chief Executive Officer. Justin brings more than 20 years of experience in the security industry, with a strong track record of driving operational transformation, accelerating growth and scaling customer-focused organizations. Most recently, he served as CEO of The SEER Group, a multi-brand home services platform, where he led the company through a period of rapid expansion. Prior to The SEER Group, Justin held senior executive leadership roles at Allied Universal and Andrews International, overseeing large-scale operations, service delivery and customer growth initiatives. Proactive video monitoring Justin will oversee Netwatch’s global business operations and continue advancing the company’s leadership in AI-enabled proactive video monitoring and intelligent security solutions. Today, Netwatch protects more than 330,000 customer sites worldwide through a combination of advanced technology, live intervention and remote monitoring expertise. “Netwatch has earned a reputation as a company that leads through innovation and understands the real-world challenges organizations face when it comes to safety, security, and risk,” said Justin. “What drew me to this opportunity is the strength of the team, the culture of innovation, and the company’s clear vision for the future. I believe Netwatch is exceptionally well-positioned for continued industry leadership.” Evolving security landscape “We are excited to welcome Justin to Netwatch during a pivotal period of growth and momentum for the company,” said Mark Prybutok, Chairman of the Board, Netwatch. “Justin is a proven operator and strategic leader. His operational expertise, industry knowledge, and long-term vision make him the right leader to guide Netwatch through its next phase of growth.” Justin succeeds Kurt Takahashi, whose leadership helped strengthen global operations and positioned the company for success in an evolving security landscape. “We also want to sincerely thank Kurt Takahashi for the tremendous impact he had on Netwatch,” Mark added. “We are grateful for his many contributions and the foundation he helped build for the future.”

Netwatch, a provider of AI-powered security services, announced now that it has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by GI Partners. Netwatch is a pioneering global provider of intelligent security solutions, serving a broad range of verticals, including organizations in the automotive, retail, banking, manufacturing, construction, and infrastructure sectors. Netwatch’s services are mission-critical, providing peace of mind to businesses and individuals by delivering a technology-driven, proactive approach to site protection, risk mitigation, and workplace safety. Now, Netwatch protects more than 330,000 sites worldwide. Application of AI technology “Netwatch has an unmatched reputation among its customers for high-quality, reliable security monitoring solutions to protect essential assets and people,” said Mark Prybutok, Managing Director and Head of Data Infrastructure at GI Partners. “We are excited to support the Company in its next phase of growth through the application of AI technology, strategic capital investment, and deeper partnership with customers; continuing to expand its leadership in the remote video monitoring ecosystem.” “We are very excited to leverage the deep expertise of the GI team to drive continued improvement in our AI, operations and go-to-market strategies,” said Kurt Takahashi, CEO of Netwatch. “We look forward to partnering on our mission to be the global pioneer in intelligent security monitoring and intervention services.” GI Partners’ portfolio Netwatch will operate as an independent company within GI Partners’ portfolio, leveraging GI Partners’ support, expertise, and experience to accelerate growth while continuing to provide the high-quality service that the Company’s customers expect. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including required regulatory approvals. Stifel acted as exclusive financial advisor to GI Partners and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP served as legal counsel.

Magos, the pioneer in advanced radar detection technology, is pleased to announce a technology partnership with Netwatch North America, the pioneer in proactive video monitoring solutions, to bring actionable intelligence when deploying a radar detection system. By combining Magos radars with Netwatch's proactive video monitoring solution, security leaders realize enhanced visibility and informed response. AI-filtered alerts supported by Netwatch’s highly trained operators result in reduced false alarms.  Magos and Netwatch partnership “By combining Magos radars with the Netwatch proactive video monitoring service, customers gain greater situational awareness and the ability to detect and respond to perimeter breaches, whether it is an intruder entering a secure facility or simply a false alarm caused by an animal entering the field of view,” said Yaron Zussman, General Manager, Magos Americas.  MIMO technology Using MIMO technology, its radars can transmit and receive more data at a higher rate of speed Netwatch North America is a pioneer in the delivery of proactive video monitoring, a purpose-built service developed to help stop crimes before they happen. Its personalized audio voice downs stop crime on 98% of occasions. Because of its proven effectiveness, it is widely used in various environments, including retail, cannabis, auto dealerships, wineries, and parking facilities.  Magos Systems radars are ideal for substations, car lots, data centers, critical infrastructure, and other sites needing perimeter protection that surveillance alone cannot handle. The company offers a cost-effective radar system at a variety of ranges. Using MIMO technology, its radars can transmit and receive more data at a higher rate of speed. Efficient and effective security  "Through our partnership with Magos Systems, we are enhancing our customers' situational awareness and their ability to detect and respond to perimeter breaches," said Justin Wilmas, President, Netwatch North America. He adds, "Together we are reducing false positives and increasing the accuracy in detecting and classifying objects. This collaboration ensures that our customers receive only the most relevant and actionable information, enabling more efficient and effective security measures." Magos radars combine MASS and advanced AI algorithms Magos radars combine MASS and advanced AI algorithms, to provide video-based object classification, including people, vehicles, and boats. Known as MASS+AI, it can also filter out irrelevant alerts caused by wildlife and fauna without compromising threat detection.

Europe has set an ambitious goal. With the European Green Deal, leaders aim to make the continent climate neutral by 2050. Ireland is following this lead, promising to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 51% before 2030. And solar energy is a key part of this plan. If you drive through rural Ireland today, you can see the changes happening. Solar farms now cover former grazing land and open fields. They work quietly and efficiently, providing clean electricity to homes, hospitals, schools, and businesses. Most of the time, these sites are empty. There are no workers patrolling the area and no lights in office windows at night. Clean energy supply That stillness, however, hides a growing risk. Each solar site holds millions of euros worth of equipment. Every megawatt of solar power relies on a complex network of copper cables, solar panels, inverters, and electrical systems. These parts are valuable, especially when copper prices are high. For thieves looking for quick profit, an unmanned solar farm can seem like an easy target. Just one act of trespassing or vandalism can lead to stolen wiring, damaged panels, and production shutdowns that last days or even weeks. Repairs are expensive, but the bigger problem is the impact on clean energy supply and trust in the infrastructure supporting Europe’s low-carbon future. Standard video cameras A report from PV Magazine says police in the United Kingdom have seen a sharp rise in solar-related crimes That stillness hides a growing risk. Each solar site holds millions of euros worth of equipment. A report from PV Magazine says police in the United Kingdom have seen a sharp rise in solar-related crimes, with cases increasing by 93% between 2021 and 2022. This trend is familiar: when commodity prices go up, rural energy sites attract more attention from criminals. While a passerby might see only glass and steel, others see scrap metal and resale value. For a long time, many of these sites and businesses did not prioritise security. They put up fences, used standard video cameras, and hired guards. These steps provided some reassurance, but often only responded after damage had already happened. Traditional cameras record events but rarely stop them. Guards cannot monitor every part of a large site, especially when solar farms cover hundreds of acres. Traditional security methods As renewable infrastructure expands, traditional security methods are no longer enough. The industry needs to change its approach. As Europe builds more renewable energy projects, security should become a main part of planning. Developers now consider not just energy output, but also how resilient a site will be. Communities want the infrastructure supporting their climate goals to run smoothly, and investors want to know that sites and assets are safe. New technology is now helping protect remote energy sites. One method uses video analytics along with live operators who watch camera feeds from remote centers. Instead of waiting for alarms to go off after a breach, these systems can spot unusual activity as it happens. For example, if someone lingers near a fence late at night, the system can send an alert that is different from one triggered by wildlife passing by earlier. Preventing similar problems This approach aims to move security from just recording events to actually stopping them When something suspicious happens, security teams can check the situation and decide if they need to respond. Sometimes, operators send a live audio message to let people know they are being watched. This can stop trespassing or theft because it takes away the feeling of being anonymous. This approach aims to move security from just recording events to actually stopping them. If a situation gets worse, staff can follow set procedures and keep watching until it is over. Afterward, they write incident reports. These records help with reviews, regulatory paperwork, insurance claims, and learning how to prevent similar problems in the future. Large solar projects Ireland already shows how this model works. Several large solar projects across the country now use integrated, remote monitoring from the very start of construction. At one major site, developers installed 170 cameras, investing nearly €1 million in security alone. This amount shows more than just caution. It marks a change in how the industry sees protection. Security is now as important as engineering and grid connection in project planning. Security is now as important as engineering and grid connection in project planning A solar farm that runs smoothly does more than just make electricity. It helps meet climate goals, boosts energy independence, and shows stability. If a site is left unprotected, the impact goes beyond one facility. It affects energy supply and public trust. That is why security should be a basic part of development. Providing reliable power As Ireland grows its solar capacity, it sets an example for the rest of Europe. Clean energy is not just about building infrastructure. It also requires steps to protect what has been built. The new fields of glass and steel are more than just power sources — they are shared commitment to a more sustainable future. Protecting that future requires ongoing effort. Europe is creating its clean energy landscape one panel and one field at a time. By caring for the security of these sites as much as their construction, these quiet areas will keep providing reliable power and support a stronger energy system for years ahead.

New technology advancements significantly increase efficiency and productivity in any industry, including physical security. Enhanced innovation both creates new products and services and improves existing products, all for the benefit of security manufacturers, integrators, and end users. Companies that embrace new technology stay ahead of the curve and gain a significant competitive advantage. In addition, they can differentiate themselves in the marketplace. We asked this week's Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the most promising new technologies in the physical security industry?   

2025 is likely to see further advancements in artificial intelligence, with potential impacts on various aspects of society, including the security industry. The new year will also require security professionals to adapt to changing market conditions and develop contingency plans for unforeseen events. Industry changes will accelerate and challenge everyone in the security market to keep up. Making specific predictions for the new year can be a struggle, but we asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What will be the big news for security in the year ahead?