6 January 2025

Hanwha Vision has unveiled its key trend forecast for video surveillance in 2025. The industry is poised to enter an era of super-intelligent video surveillance, transcending basic detection and search capabilities and moving towards autonomous decision-making based on comprehensive understanding and analysis. Powerful Edge AI: The next frontier Artificial intelligence continues to redefine what’s possible in video surveillance, and edge AI is driving this transformation. By bringing powerful AI capabilities directly to edge devices like cameras, security systems are delivering faster decision-making, enhanced operational efficiency and greater autonomy. Advanced technologies such as neural processing units and AI-powered Image Signal Processors – specialised chips designed for AI – are unlocking new levels of performance, from superior image quality to real-time behavioural analysis. Looking ahead, edge AI cameras are predicted to evolve into intelligent AI agents capable of independently understanding and assessing situations, generating events, and providing real-time alerts. Generative AI – From seeing to real intelligence Generative AI is poised to revolutionise how we interact with video systems. While this technology has primarily been cloud-based, Hanwha Vision envisages its integration into edge AI devices, enabling them to understand, assess, and respond autonomously to increasingly complex situations. This shift promises groundbreaking applications in areas such as intrusion detection, fire prevention, and more. For example, intrusion detection will go beyond the limitations of conventional systems by analysing human behavioural patterns – such as running, loitering, or climbing fences – to determine intent, rather than simply detecting movement within predefined zones. Similarly, fire detection will move beyond merely detecting smoke or flames. By analysing the broader context, including evacuation behavior and fire extinguisher use, these advanced systems will assess the likelihood of a fire and facilitate rapid response. This transformation will empower edge AI cameras to act autonomously on behalf of users, significantly enhancing security and efficiency. Furthermore, Hanwha Vision predicts that security systems will be able to track a series of events or objects through multiple cameras using generative AI that understands event sequences. Collaborative and accessible ecosystems The video surveillance market is poised for a shift with the expansion of AI ecosystems, to usher in an era of innovation. The days of individual companies competing to develop their own proprietary AI technologies are fading. Now, building and expanding an AI ecosystem through collaboration has emerged as a key factor determining market competitiveness, promising scalability and rapid innovation for the video surveillance market. First, the AI ecosystem allows for easy expansion of functionality by integrating AI solutions into video surveillance systems as needed. For instance, Hanwha Vision’s AI Box empowers users to add sophisticated AI features, such as object detection/classification and advanced video analytics, to conventional security cameras without replacing existing infrastructure. Another advantage of an AI ecosystem is its ability to meet diverse customer needs by providing customised solutions. Similar to adding apps to a smartphone, users can selectively deploy AI solutions optimised for their specific environment and objectives. This flexibility allows for the creation of bespoke systems, such as integrating customer behaviour analysis AI in retail stores or implementing production line monitoring solutions within smart factories. Recently, Hanwha Vision launched a 4-channel AI PTRZ multi-directional camera that offers access to a vast ecosystem of AI apps. This enables users to add AI functionalities tailored to their specific needs and build customised solutions across various applications, demonstrating the power of AI at the edge. Streamlined solutions for simplified management As technology grows more sophisticated, the demand for simplicity and efficiency rises. The security market is shifting towards end-to-end solutions that seamlessly integrate systems and services, expanding the scope of security. This surpasses the traditional role of video capture and storage, encompassing integration with access control, fire detection, data analytics, and environmental sensors to create a comprehensive security framework. Furthermore, the emergence of single-pane-of-glass interfaces – a user interface that consolidates data and functionality from multiple systems or tools into a unified, centralised view – are transforming how organisations manage their security and operational systems. These unified platforms offer real-time situational awareness and seamless interoperability, turning security centres into strategic hubs for business intelligence. Building end-to-end solutions can present challenges, including ensuring interoperability between disparate systems, managing integration costs, and mitigating potential functionality issues. To address this, there is a growing trend towards one-stop solutions where a manufacturer provides all necessary products and services for streamlined deployment. For instance, Hanwha Vision offers the logistics industry’s first integrated barcode reading and video capture solution, the Barcode Reader Camera. This solution bolsters the logistics process, delivering cost reduction, time savings, enhanced safety, and increased operational efficiency. Cybersecurity and transparency: building trust In an era of heightened cybersecurity threats, transparency and trustworthiness are non-negotiable. From privacy by design principles to ensuring the highest levels of certification, reputable manufacturers will be further committed to safeguarding data and proactively ensuring their systems meet the highest standards of security and integrity. 2025 may mark a turning point for cybersecurity: recent research from Hanwha Vision Europe reveals a concerning gap between users’ belief that their video systems are protected from cyber-attacks – and their oversight in implementing even simple measures to keep them secure. The survey of over 1,150 IT and security managers across Europe reveals that 92% of IT and security managers believe their video systems are highly secured against cybercrime – yet just 23% are implementing basic network security measures. The full research findings, including an analysis of variations between countries, industry sectors, organisation sizes, and roles, can be found here: Cybersecurity Report. They also feature a guide to networked video cybersecurity best practices. Read more exclusives and news in our latest issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Security Buyer  @SecurityBuyer  @Secbuyer Media Contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitybuyer.com