25 Top Security Trends in 2018 Shed Light on 2019
Editor-in-Chief Scott Goldfine looks back on 2018’s big trends in the security industry as you look ahead to what 2019 may bring.
Those of you around during the 1970s will recall all the hoopla surrounding America’s 200 years of independence in 1976 and in particular CBS-TV’s series of Bicentennial Minutes. They were narrated by celebrities — my favorite was Charlton Heston.
Much in the way those segments condensed critical historical events into short, easily consumed segments I have sifted through and sorted all of 2018’s security news to give you an executive summary of what matters most.
There is no doubt that knowing where the industry is heading is reliant upon knowing from whence it has come. And so here (in random order) are my top 25 security trends — let’s call them Security Market Minutes — noted by SSI news headlines:
1. Fantastic Forecasts
- Global Video Surveillance Market to Exceed $39B by 2023
- Global Smart Home Market on Pace to Hit $125B by 2027
- Residential Alarm Monitoring Market in Americas to Approach $14B in 2018
- Perimeter Detection Systems Market to Exceed $21B by 2023
- Thermal Imaging Market Growing 8% Annually
2. Robust Returns
- Napco Security Posts 44% Increase in Q2 Net Income
- Johnson Controls Q2 Earnings Top Estimate; Revenues Increase 3%
- Alarm.com Bests Q2 Earnings and Revenues Estimates
3. Investors Inspired
- Convergint Technologies Acquired by Ares Management
- Why Did SnapAV’s Parent Acquire SimpliSafe?
- Telular Bought by Electronic Instruments Maker AMETEK for $525M
4. Dozens of Dealer Deals
- Wayne Alarm Acquires High-End Resi Specialist Lexington Alarm Systems
- Kastle Systems Purchases Urban Alarm
- ADS Security’s 7th Buy of 2018 Is Its Largest Acquired RMR Base
- EPS Security’s Second 2018 Deal Grows Michigan Footprint
- Bates Security Expands Into Eastern Kentucky With ABCO Security Buy
- ESSC Acquires Commercial Fire Accounts From Frase Protection
- Select Security Expands Ohio Presence in Acquiring YPS Integrated Systems
- Doyle Security Systems Merges With ADG Security
- Atronic Expands in Midwest With American Detection Specialists Buy
5. Integrators Integrate
- Convergint Technologies Acquires Altel to Expand North American Reach
- Convergint Technologies Buys Access Control Technologies
- Securitas to Acquire Kratos Public Safety & Security for $70M
- Red Hawk Seals 2 Deals to Expand Fire, Integration Portfolios
- Lone Star Communications Buys ArCom Systems
6. Monitoring Maneuvers
- NMC Merges With 3 Monitoring Firms to Form Global Powerhouse
- Amherst Alarm Merges With Eastern States Sentinel, Adds 8,000+ Accounts
- Security Partners Break Ground on New HQ & Monitoring Center
- SentryNet to Open Monitoring Center in Pacific Northwest
7. Manufacturers M&A
- Motorola Solutions to Acquire Avigilon for $1B
- Valcom Buys Keltron to Boost Life-Safety Portfolio
- Allegion Reaches Agreement to Acquire ISONAS
- Global Home Automation Player Nice Group Acquires Fibaro
- Bold Technologies, Perennial Software Merge After Being Acquired
- UTC Climate, Controls & Security to Buy S2 Security
- ACRE to Acquire Texas-Based Open Options
8. Analytics Ascends
- Identiv Acquires Analytics Company 3VR Security
- Nortek Buys AI, Video Analytics Provider IntelliVision
- Canon to Acquire Video Analytics Firm BriefCam
9. Tech Giants Stand Taller
- Amazon Acquires Smart Doorbell Maker Ring
- ADT Announces Google Home Integration
- Texas Electric Utility Strikes Partnership Agreement With Google and Nest
10. Pure-Play Providers
- Honeywell Says Post-Spin Company Name Will Be Resideo
- UTC to Become Aerospace Pure Play With Plan to Split Into 3 Companies
- Johnson Controls Sells Power Solutions Division for $13.2B
- FLIR Sells Lorex Business for $29M; Exits DIY, SMB Markets
11. Artificial Intelligence Gets Realer
- AI Takes Center Stage at Milestone Integration Platform Symposium
- Where Does Artificial Intelligence Fit in the Security Industry?
- Bosch Leads $28M Funding Round for AI Start-up AnyVision
12. Robotics Ramp Up
- How Robotic Security Systems Can Prevent Drone Mishaps and Attacks
- Cobalt Robotics Closes $13M in Series A Funding for Roving Security Robots
- Experts Envision the Convergence of Robotics and Physical Security
13. Moving Into New Markets
- Stanley Security Partners With Shooter Detection Systems
- ADT Acquires Internet Security Firm Secure Designs
- Vector Security Retail Outlet Lets Consumers Try Smart Home Gear
14. DIY Dials In
- SimpliSafe Sells Controlling Interest to Hellman & Friedman
- Arlo Shares Surge 38% After Stock Market Debut
- New Startup Offers DIY Security System With Pro Monitoring
15. Serious About Cybersecurity
- Eaton Testing Lab First to Participate in UL Cybersecurity Program
- ISC West Dazzles as Industry Grapples With Physical-Cyber Convergence
- March Networks Attains Certification for Cybersecurity Best Practices
- Genetec Gets UL Cybersecurity Readiness Certification
16. Branding Boosts
- MONI to Rebrand as Brink’s Home Security
- Welcome Alula: IpDatatel, Resolution Products Reveal New Name
- Costar Bid to Acquire Arecont Vision Approved
17. Commercial Message Compels Top Player
- ADT Acquires Acme Security Systems to Strengthen Commercial Security Footprint
- ADT Acquires Aronson Security Group; Grows National Accounts Portfolio
- ADT to Enhance Commercial Business With Red Hawk Fire & Security Acquisition
18. Rallying Around Alarm Response
- Sandy Springs Stiffens Compliance Penalty Against Alarm Companies
- SAP-to-PSAP Now in 13 States and Surging
- The Best and Worst Police Response Times of 10 Major U.S. Cities
19. Smarter Homes
- August Home Smart Lock Pro Now Supported by Alarm.com
- Vivint Partners With Google to Give Voice Control to New Customers, Expand Smart Home Suite
- Napco’s New Video Doorbell Gives Integrators RMR Opportunity
- Johnson Controls Buys Residential Smart Thermostat Maker LUX
20. Growing Geographies
- Guardian Protection Services Opens Branch to Serve Nashville Area
- Convergint Technologies Acquires in France to Expand Euro Biz
- Select Security Expands in New Jersey With Garden State Fire & Security Buy
- Per Mar Security Grows Indiana Footprint With ABC Fire & Burglar Buy
- Priority One Security Acquires to Expand Into Atlanta Metro Area
21. Schools Put Security to the Test
- Vanderbilt and Allegion Partner to Better Secure School Campuses
- PASS Releases New Safety and Security Guidelines for K-12 Schools
- Mich. School Installs Gunshot Detection, More to Boost Active Shooter Response
22. Video Monitoring More Vital
- Lydia Security Monitoring Teams With Pro-Vigil to Offer Video Verification
- Security Partners Integrates Hosted Video Service by Axis
- Johnson Controls Acquires Smartvue to Add IoT Video Services Platform
23. Competitors Crowd In
- SAFE Security Acquired by AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah
- Best Buy to Acquire PERS Company GreatCall for $800M
- Guarding Firm SOS Security Acquires First Alarm Security Services
24. Privacy Becomes Pivotal
- Hikvision, Dahua Swept Up in Potential Sales Ban to U.S. Government
- GDPR Impact on Security Ecosystem to Be Examined in ISC West Session
- Comcast Accidentally Leaks Xfinity Customer Data on Website
25. Sizing Up Smart Cities
- Detroit Mayor Wants All Late-Night Businesses to Join Project Green Light Surveillance Program
- AT&T Plans to Roll Out Mobile 5G Network by End of 2018
- Georgia Tech Report Outlines Roadmap to Success for Smart City Technology
Make sure to check out the rest of the best of 2018:
- The 30 Top Technology Innovations of 2018
- Top 5 Trends Security Experts Observed in 2018
- SSI’s Top 10 Security Stories From 2018
- The Top 10 Surveillance Videos of 2018
- 2018 Year in Review: Industry Movers & Shakers on the Hot Seat
- 12 Top-Notch Surveillance Cameras Released in 2018
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Tagged with:
Trends
Access Control
Automation
Business
Columns
Emerging Technologies
Fire & Intrusion
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Systems Integration
Video Surveillance
About the Author
Scott Goldfine, Contributing Editor
Scott Goldfine is Marketing Director with Elite Interactive Solutions, Inc. Prior to joining Elite, he served as Security Sales & Integration’s chief editor for about 25 years.
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