i-PRO - Experts & Thought Leaders

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.

i-PRO Co., Ltd. (formerly Panasonic Security), a global pioneer in professional security, public safety, and medical imaging solutions, announced it has been officially Certified as a 2025 Great Place to Work across all regions where it operates, including Japan, the Americas, EMEA, Asia Pacific and China. The certification reflects i-PRO’s ongoing investment in a safe, inclusive, and empowering workplace culture. Based entirely on employee feedback, the recognition highlights consistent experiences of trust, fairness, and belonging across the company’s global operations. According to this year’s global survey results, 90% of i-PRO employees said they felt welcome when joining the company, while employees across all regions reported a strong sense of fairness and inclusion, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. Pride and community Eighty-five percent said they take pride in being part of an organization that contributes to society and supports the communities where it operates. Employees also cited flexibility and strong support for well-being as central to what makes working at i-PRO a uniquely positive experience. “Earning Great Place to Work certification across all regions shows that our values of being Flexible, Bold, and Trusted are more than words—they are lived and felt globally,” said Masato Nakao, CEO of i-PRO Co., Ltd. “Our people feel safe, welcomed, and supported, and that consistency across cultures is what truly defines i-PRO.” Dayanna Nunez, Chief Human Resources Officer at i-PRO, added: “This certification demonstrates that the character of i-PRO, defined by our fairness, care, and respect, is universal. Regardless of where they are based, our teams share the same sense of pride and community that drives innovation and collaboration every day.” Validated employee feedback Great Place to Work is the global benchmark for workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors proven to drive retention, innovation, and business performance. Certification is awarded based on validated employee feedback gathered through a rigorous, data-driven survey process. Each year, the Great Place to Work Institute surveys employee engagement at over 10,000 companies across approximately 150 countries, issuing certifications and rankings. i-PRO is committed to ethical, transparent, and people-centered management and organizational practices.

i-PRO Co., Ltd. (formerly Panasonic Security), a pioneer in professional security, public safety and medical applications, announced that it has signed an agreement with Panasonic Connect Co., Ltd. to take over the wholesale and marketing functions for i-PRO products in the Japanese market, which are currently managed by Panasonic Connect. The transition is scheduled to be completed on March 31, 2026, following the necessary regulatory approvals. Advanced security products Since becoming independent from Panasonic in 2019 through a capital partnership with Polaris Capital Group Co., Ltd., i-PRO has focused on developing and manufacturing advanced security products, while sales in the Japanese market have been conducted through Panasonic Connect. At the same time, they have also made efforts to develop the own sales channels. By taking over the wholesale and marketing functions for the products from Panasonic Connect, i-PRO will strengthen its sales structure in the Japanese market and integrate development, manufacturing, and sales into a unified organization. This integration will enhance responsiveness to market needs, improve operational efficiency, and reinforce competitiveness in the Japanese market. This approach aligns with the regionally integrated management model that i-PRO has been implementing globally since 2019. Expected synergies Expected synergies include the following: Promote collaboration among manufacturing, product development, and sales to swiftly reflect market needs in products. Accelerate the deployment of global solutions in the Japanese market by promoting personnel exchanges with overseas offices. Enhance customer value and strengthen competitiveness through a more efficient and integrated value chain. Improve the quality of sales, proposals, and after-sales service. Increase operational speed by simplifying business processes. i-PRO products via Panasonic Connect As of April 1, 2026, approximately 500 dealers who currently procure i-PRO products via Panasonic Connect will begin conducting business directly with i-PRO. Contracts with end-users purchasing through Panasonic Connect or Electric Works Company (Panasonic Corporation) will remain unchanged. i-PRO will continue to build long-term relationships with customers and deliver reliable, high-quality products and solutions that contribute to a safer and more secure society.

To serve various vertical markets and industries effectively, security professionals must recognize that each sector has unique assets, risks, compliance requirements, and operational needs. Instead of offering a one-size-fits-all solution, security system providers must tailor their products, services, and integration strategies to address the distinct requirements of vertical markets. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: Which vertical markets have the greatest growth potential for physical security systems?

Installing physical security systems requires integrating diverse technologies (e.g., cameras, access control, alarms) that often use different protocols and must be adapted to a building's unique physical layout and legacy infrastructure.  Specialized technical expertise is required for seamless networking and proper configuration. Hopefully, no important factors are overlooked in the installation process. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the most overlooked factor when installing physical security systems?

Emphasizing proactive rather than reactive security shifts the focus from dealing with crises and damage control to prevention. Advantages of a proactive approach include cost efficiency, better business continuity, and fewer crises that draw attention away from strategic improvements. Staying ahead of threats is a core mission of the security department, and technology has evolved to enable security professionals to deliver on that mission better than ever. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How are security systems transitioning from reactive to proactive, and what is the benefit?