2025 Security Industry Predictions: Steve Womer, SVP, Engineering, Interface Systems

Womer, the senior vice president of engineering for Interface Systems, shares his prognostications for the security industry.
Published: January 13, 2025

Our 2025 Security Industry Predictions series enters the home stretch with Steve Womer, senior vice president of engineering at Interface Systems.

Security Sales & Integration: Without getting into any specific vendors or branded solutions, what technology category or solution area do you see as 2025’s ripest, most profitable growth opportunity for security dealers, installers and integrators? Explain your reasoning.

Steve Womer: The greatest opportunities will likely be in video solutions that deliver tangible return on investment. While upgrades and shifts in traditional alarms and monitoring services will continue, video solutions often generate higher monthly recurring revenue, especially when paired with advanced analytics or remote video monitoring (RVM).

These solutions not only mitigate risks by preventing incidents or providing forensic evidence to reduce legal claims but also enhance operational efficiency and capture loss—creating significant cost-saving opportunities for end users.

Moreover, video solutions can be positioned beyond the typical end-of-life CCTV upgrades, appealing to loss prevention (LP) and risk management leaders who are increasingly tasked with leveraging video to improve overall business operations.

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Success in this space will require a well-crafted approach to discovery and design, helping end-user stakeholders build compelling business cases. Selling these solutions becomes significantly easier when implementation offers minimal costs or even results in net savings for customers.

SSI: These days, we’re all hearing a lot about the cloud migration, AI/machine learning, crime deterrence vs. crime reactiveness, etc. Which of these “hot topics” do you think is overplayed? Which ones do you think will truly transform the practice of security integration in the coming years?

Womer: While artificial intelligence/machine learning and crime deterrence are undeniably transformative, I’d argue that cloud migration is somewhat overplayed—mainly because it has already become standard practice for many security technologies.

Relying on site-level control planes is cumbersome and outdated. Centralized control should now be considered an expectation, not a standout feature.

Crime deterrence is a major area of focus for customers, and for good reason. The benefits are evident daily, as systems designed to anticipate or quickly react to threats can make all the difference between preventing a break-in and facing an insurance claim—or worse. Solutions that de-escalate situations in real time further underscore the value of proactive deterrence.

AI and machine learning are already reshaping the landscape, serving as a first line of defense by equipping central station operators with better, more actionable information during incidents. The real opportunities lie in improving response times, increasing response accuracy, and selectively automating interventions at the site level.

Machine learning models that can interpret gestures and behaviors will empower security companies and their customers to detect and intervene earlier, enhancing safety and preventing crimes before they occur. While we’re still in the early stages of this evolution, I’m excited about the practical benefits it will bring for human safety and crime prevention.

SSI: On the business and operations side, which single factor (e.g., interest rates, talent-related issues, geopolitical stressors) poses the biggest challenge for the security industry right now? How can business owners mitigate their downside risk?

Womer: Field talent is finite, in high demand, and the need for skilled professionals to install and maintain security and video systems is expected to grow. Integrators will need to think creatively about how to build and sustain their field workforces to meet this demand.

Success will depend on finding ways to deliver installation and maintenance services that meet the high-quality standards customers expect—without exceeding budget constraints.

SSI: What’s getting better about the security industry these days? What seems to be getting worse and worse?

Womer: One significant improvement in the security industry is the development of technology platforms with native integrations. The true magic of an integrated system lies in enabling alarm, video, and access control functions to work seamlessly together, enhancing both security and the end-user experience.

Examples include door access automatically disarming an alarm, video motion triggering an alarm signal after hours, or a live video feed displaying during an alarm event. These integrations create a more cohesive and efficient security solution.

On the other hand, the availability of skilled subcontractors is becoming an increasingly critical challenge for security integrators. High-quality subcontractors are a valuable asset, and in labor markets with limited resources, they are understandably commanding rates far above the national average.

Maintaining a hybrid workforce of internal staff and third-party technicians is essential, but the industry is grappling with a labor pool that isn’t growing fast enough to meet demand. Without addressing this labor gap, third-party cost pressures will persist, as skilled subcontractors continue to face more demand than supply.

SSI: What’s liable to catch some security dealers, installers and integrators off guard in the coming year?

Womer: DIY solutions always pose a risk in any service-oriented industry, and the security sector is no exception. Companies that have traditionally focused on home security services are increasingly eyeing the commercial market as an untapped opportunity.

With the ease of installation and low cost of off-the-shelf systems, some of the most cost-conscious customers may attempt to install these solutions themselves.

The near-term risk is primarily with small business owners and franchise operators, who may be more inclined to experiment with DIY options to save on expenses. However, larger commercial or distributed enterprise customers are unlikely to make this shift unless they’re particularly adventurous or resourceful.

SSI: What’s the single most pressing issue that professionals in the security industry should look to tackle right now?

Womer: Professionals in the security industry should prioritize improving end-user access and self-service capabilities. In today’s connected, smartphone-driven world, companies that fail to offer user-friendly solutions for remotely viewing installation and service status, live video feeds, alarm data, managing user access, and generating DIY reports will struggle to maintain customer satisfaction.

Providing intuitive, accessible tools is no longer optional—it’s essential for retaining and delighting customers.

SSI: Finish this sentence: 2025 will be remembered as the year in the security industry…

Womer: … when video analytics went from the “cool tech” phase to an “indispensable tool” phase.

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Strategy & Planning Series
Strategy & Planning Series
Strategy & Planning Series