Good fortune tellers are masters at subtly observing cues to make inferences that thrill their clientele with mystical insights. The process for analyzing what lies ahead for an industry like security isn’t all that different.
Like an illusionist breaking the magician’s code, I am letting you in on the secret to my 2018 industry forecast. I meticulously pored through all of 2017’s security news and applied my 20 years’ industry experience to glean what is likely to impact the year ahead.
In random order, here are my top 25 trends noted by paraphrased SSI news headlines:
1. World Focused on Cybersecurity
- Cybersecurity Survey: 3 in 5 Firms Expect to Be Breached
- Hacking Fears Make Consumers Skittish About Smart Home Devices
2. Industry Focused on Cybersecurity
- ADT Expands Cybersecurity Services With Datashield Buy
- Eagle Eye Networks Hardens Portfolio With ‘Cyber Lockdown’ Feature
- PSA Partners With Indarra to Help Integrators Combat Cyber Intrusions
3. Big-Name Dealer/Integrator M&A
- Red Hawk Fire & Security Expands Reach in Florida
- Vector Security Acquires in Texas
- Convergint Acquires SDI’s Integrated Security Unit
- ADS Security Records 4th Acquisition of 2017
4. Smaller Dealer/Integrator M&A
- B Safe Expands New Jersey Footprint
- Sentry Alarm Systems Buys CPP Alarm & Video
- Tech Electronics Nabs Professional Fire Alarm Systems
5. Manufacturer M&A and Reorgs
- HID Global Buys Mercury Security
- ipDatatel and Resolution Products to Merge
- Honeywell to Spin Off Homes Portfolio, ADI Global
- GRI Buys LSDI
6. Monitoring Companies on the Rise
- Rapid Response Expands West Coast Facility
- AvantGuard Modernizes Utah HQ, Central Station
- COPS Hosts ‘Grow Your Business’ Workshops
- Dynamark Buys Buckeye Protective
7. Suppliers Pile Up Profits
8. DIY Keeps on Doing It
- Best Buy to Expand Home Automation, Security Offerings
- Honeywell Unveils DIY Security System
- ASSA ABLOY Acquires Smart Lock Maker August Home
9. DIY Teams With Pro Monitoring
- UCC to Provide Monitoring for Lowe’s DIY Iris Smart Home
- Nest Unveils Home Security System for $499; MONI to Provide Monitoring
- Ring Launches DIY Security System With Optional Monitoring
10. Connected Home Connects
- Alarm.com Announces Google Home Integration
- ADT Pulse Reaches 2M Customers
- Vivint Smart Home Products to Be Sold in Sprint Stores
11. Video Doorbells Chime Louder
- Video Doorbell Sales Forecast to Grow 28% Annually
- August Reveals Doorbell Cam Pro
- Iveda Launches Doorbell Security Camera
12. Voice Control Speaks Up
- ADT Integrates With Amazon Alexa
- Connect One Adds Voice-Initiated System Control
- DMP Releases Virtual Keypad Skill for Amazon Echo
13. Video Verification Further Validated
- Tyco Joins PPVAR as Full Member
- Honeywell Fights False Alarms With I-View Now Integration
- Nest Partners to Offer Video Alarm Verification
14. IoT Connecting the Dots
- Comcast’s Xfinity Home Joins Internet of Things Consortium
- Worldwide IoT Spending Forecast to Hit $1 Trillion by 2020
15. Cloud Begins to Reign
- VSaaS Market to Grow 27% Annually Through 2021
- Canon Launches Arcus Global to Pursue Cloud Enterprise Video Services
- Security Applications Increasingly Moving to the Cloud
16. Drones & Robotics in Motion
- Drone Market to Top $11B by 2020
- Sharp Robotics Signs U.S. Security Associates
- Drone Detection Startup Dedrone Expands to Serve Federal Government
- Allied Universal Adds Robotic Tech With RAD
17. Biometrics Improves Metrics
- Biometrics Market Revenue to Reach $15.1B by 2025
- Biometric Payment Technologies Supported by 80% of Americans
- Navy to Use Biometric Access Control
18. 4K Paces Video Victories
- Arecont’s 4K Cameras Give Integrators Options
- Video Surveillance Market Growing 15.4% Annually
- Dahua Introduces HDCVI Cameras With 4K Resolution
19. ASAP Adoption Accelerates
- Doyle Security First in N.Y. State to Implement ASAP-to-PSAP Alarm Communications
- Virginia Municipality Goes Live With Automated Secure Alarm Protocol
- ASAP Arrives in Tennessee
20. Airport Security Stuck at Gate
- Security Breach at JFK Airport Lets Several Passengers Go Unscreened
- Airport Security Tests at Minneapolis-St. Paul Int’l Fail
- TSA Fails in Latest Undercover Tests
21. Education Market Learns Lessons
- Niagara Falls City School District to Get $4M in Security Upgrades
- Kentucky School District to Add 250 Security Cameras
- 300 Napco Locks Set for Pepperdine U.
22. Emerging Applications Arrive
- March Networks Reveals Cannabis Tracking, Compliance Solution
- ShotSpotter Gunshot Detection Integrates With Genetec
- Detroit’s Security Camera Program May Become Mandatory for Local Businesses
23. MSOs Remain in Play
- Comcast Launches Video Surveillance Services for SMBs
- AlarmForce to Be Acquired by Canadian Telecom Giant BCE
- Dish’s $20B 5G Spectrum Spend Targets Video
24. Trade Groups Evolve With Times
25. New Talent Tango
