We continue sharing 2026 security industry predictions with Scott Goldfine, marketing director at Elite Interactive Solutions. He shared his 2025 reflections on the sector in a post last month.
Scott Goldfine 2026 Security Industry Predictions
Read on to check out Scott Goldfine’s 2026 security industry predictions. We’ll have more predictions from others among the brightest minds in the security industry throughout the month!
Security Sales & Integration: What technology category or solution area do you see as 2026’s ripest, most profitable growth opportunity for security dealers, installers and integrators? Explain your reasoning.
Scott Goldfine: All signs indicate the continuing rapid rise to prominence of remote video guarding, remote video monitoring (RVM) or virtual guarding, digital guarding, integrated guarding — whatever you want to call it. This is the ultimate solution that mitigates crime and losses in real-time, without any false alarms, and augments or entirely replaces human guards.
Enabled by purpose-calibrated artificial intelligence and video analytics to filter out the noise of non-events, along with live voice-downs from trained intermediaries to sites, this is the realization of true crime and catastrophe prevention — and it is here now, today.
There is a groundswell of providers across the channel to get into this thus far minimally penetrated but highly lucrative market — and fast-growing acceptance among end users (even if it does cost more). During the next few years, remote guarding and RVM is going to become even more of a nightmare for criminals and terrorists with more sophisticated AI, automation advances and the incorporation of drones and robotics.
At the same time, managerial and operational capability use cases for clients are going to add another exponential layer of service and growth opportunities.
This is the future, but in many ways it’s here now.
SSI: Which emerging security technologies do you think are overplayed? Which ones do you think will truly transform the practice of security integration in the coming years?
Goldfine: Despite what I stated in the preceding question, while AI is unquestionably transformative it also suffers from what has plagued most new and potentially impactful security technologies: misinformation, misunderstanding and being overhyped. The security industry has gone through this routine many times in the past, with biometrics and video analytics being prominent examples.
So, as head-spinning as AI is, it is a double-edged sword that can both amplify both solution and operational efficiencies, as well as undermine and become detrimental when improperly implemented or done so in the absence of appropriate human oversight.
At least for the time being, it is critical to remember AI is a tool, albeit a powerful one, rather than a security or operational panacea. Plus, providers must remain guarded as to vendor uses of the term “AI” to ensure the veracity of those claims — and always be exceedingly diligent in the vetting process.
SSI: What’s getting better about the security industry these days? What seems to be getting worse?
Goldfine: Many things are getting better, including sophistication and professionalism; ongoing high demand for and opportunities; openness to change and partnering; and the ability to deliver more effective and profitable products and services than ever before.
What also seems to be getting better is acquisitors are becoming more adept at integrating acquired companies into their larger organizations, or in many cases allowing the firms they buy to retain their identity and innovative spirit while enjoying the benefits of the parent’s deeper resources and financial base.
As for worse, it has to be the ability for the smaller, mom-and-pop level companies to keep up with the demands of more rapidly advancing technologies and intensified competition from larger (and sometimes smarter) adversaries. Local touch is still critical, but increasingly bigger firms that are armed with tools like remote diagnostics and fast service are able to achieve similar levels of responsiveness.
SSI: What’s liable to catch some security industry dealers, installers and integrators off guard in the coming year?
Goldfine: The increasing customer awareness and desire to receive remote video guarding and RVM’s multitude of benefits. Along with that, there will be the realization of all that entails, the swiftness and depth required to adapt, and the acceptance that the best path will likely be working with a third-party specialist — or acquiring one to bring that competency in-house.
It is also a different kind of sale, requiring retraining of malleable representatives, hiring those already experienced in that market, bringing on capable new recruits or employing those who have succeeded in other recurring revenue-model industries.
SSI: What’s the single most pressing challenge that professionals in the security industry must tackle right now? And how would you suggest tackling it?
Goldfine: Finding footing in this new and exciting era of AI-powered video security with true situational awareness and preventative effectiveness. Sitting on your laurels is fine if you are good with soon riding off into the proverbial sunset. But if you want to prosper and grow and, just as importantly, fulfill the ultimate security goal of protecting people and property, delivering those solutions to your clientele is an imperative.
Intrusion, access control and other security measures still have their place in a layered security posture (and emphasizing cybersecurity across the board) but those in disharmony with the impending dominance of AI-powered video are suppressing their potential.
The solution is getting educated through industry publications, events, trade associations, webinars and especially picking the brains of those demonstrating success and expertise — and then taking decisive action.
SSI: Finish this sentence: 2026 will be remembered as the year that the security industry…
Goldfine: … averaged double-digit growth due to the impact of AI-powered video (and its seamless integration with access control and other layered devices/systems) on provided solutions coupled with operational efficiencies gained through the strategic deployment of AI-enhanced business tools and platforms.
Click here to check out all the entries in our 2026 security industry predictions series!
