Tech trends in the smart city

Johan Paulsson, CTO at Axis Communications provides his insight into the technology trends affecting the industry in 2023 

The fact that technology has become pervasive in our personal and work lives is not news. This is largely due to the benefits that new technologies bring to business and citizens around the world in delivering new, more effective, and increasingly efficient services. 

However, the depth of technology’s integration into our lives, advances in its capabilities, and heightened awareness of its implications in society are also greater than ever and continue to accelerate. This adoption of technology as inherent to the way we live our lives, contributes to the ideal of the smart city. 

Given this, many of the broad macro trends around the globe – spanning geopolitical issues, economic uncertainty, environmental concerns, and human rights – have implications for all technology sectors, the security industry included.  

Ours is a sector making use of increasingly intelligent technology, one inherently involved in collecting sensitive data, and as impacted by geopolitical issues affecting international trade as any. Yet we’re still resolute in our view that our innovations will create a smarter, safer world. 

These are the six key technology trends that we believe will affect the security sector in 2023. 

  1. A move towards actionable insights

The increasing application of AI and machine learning have seen a focus on the opportunity for advanced analytics in recent years. Moving forward, the shift in focus will move from the analytics themselves, to the actionable insights they deliver in specific use cases. It’s less about telling you something is wrong, and more about helping you decide what action to take. 

A key driver for employing analytics to deliver actionable insights is the huge increase in data being generated by surveillance cameras, along with other sensors integrated into a solution. The data (and metadata) being created would be impossible for human operators to interpret and act upon quickly enough, even with huge and costly increases in resources. 

The use of analytics can drive real-time actions which support safety, security, and operational efficiency. From prompts to call emergency services in the case of incidents, to redirecting traffic in cities to alleviate jams, to redeploying staff in busy retail outlets, to saving energy in buildings through more efficient lighting and heating, analytics are recommending, prompting, and even starting to take the actions that support human operators. 

Beyond ‘live’ actionable insights, analytics can support in forensic analysis post-incident. Again, given the vast amount of data being created by surveillance cameras, finding the relevant views of a scene can take significant time. This can hinder investigations and reduce the likelihood of suspects being found. Assisted search addresses this issue, helping operators quickly find individuals and objects of interest among hours of footage. 

Finally, proposed actions promoted by analytics are increasingly forward-looking. Downtime in industrial sites and factories can be costly. A combination of sensors allows intelligent analytics to propose preventative maintenance ahead of outright failure. 

“From analytics to action” will become a mantra for 2023. 

  1. Use case-defined hybrid architectures

As we’ve highlighted in previous technology trends posts, it’s now commonly accepted that a hybrid technology architecture is best-suited for security systems, mixing on-premise servers, cloud-based compute, and powerful edge devices.  

No one architecture fits all scenarios, however. But here lies the solution: first assess what needs to be addressed in your specific use case, and then define the hybrid solution that will meet your needs. A number of factors need to be considered.  

Undoubtedly the advantages of advanced analytics embedded in surveillance cameras on the edge of the network are clear to see. Analysis of the highest-quality…

To read more news and exclusive features see our latest issue here.

Never miss a story… Follow us on:
LinkedIn Security Buyer
Twitter logo @SecurityBuyer
Facebook @SecbuyerME

Media Contact
Rebecca Morpeth Spayne,
Editor, Security Portfolio
Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922
Email: [email protected]

About Security Buyer

Security Buyer is the leading authority in global security content, delivering expert news, in-depth articles, exclusive interviews, and industry insights across print, digital, and event platforms. Published 10 times a year, the magazine is a trusted resource for professionals seeking updates and analysis on the latest developments in the security sector.

To submit an article, or for sponsorship opportunities, please contact our team below.

Rebecca Spayne picture 2025

Rebecca Spayne

Managing
EDITOR

Georgina Turner image

Georgina Turner

Sales
Manager

Afua Akoto image - Security Buyer

Afua Akoto

Marketing Manager

Read the Latest Issue

Follow us on X

Follow us on X

Click Here

Follow us on LinkedIn

Follow us on LinkedIn

Click Here

Advertise here

Reach decision makers and amplify your marketing

Advertise here

Click Here

Related News

Axis Communications

Axis Communications sheds light on video surveillance industry

Axis Communications has published a new report that explores the state of AI in the global video surveillance industry.
access control integration

HID Redefines Physical and Digital Security Integration

HID announced the launch of HID Integration Service, a platform that integrates physical security, cybersecurity and digital identity…
Axis Communications

Axis Communications introduces free text search in AXIS Camera Station Pro

Axis Communications, a manufacturer of surveillance solutions, has introduced free text search in AXIS Camera Station Pro
Copyright: Security Buyer

Perimeter Protection: Balancing Physical and Technology

Joseph Clarke, Assistant Editor advocates for a hybrid approach to balancing physical and technological barriers in perimeter security…
Ettiene van der Watt - Regional Director - MEA, Axis Communications

Axis Communications: Emerging trends in the Middle East

Ettiene Van Der Watt, Regional Director, Middle East & Africa at Axis Communications spoke with International Security Buyer at Intersec..

Next-generation, purpose-built system-on-chip launched by Axis

Axis Communications has announced the 9th generation of its purpose-built system-on-chip (SoC)…
Axis Communications Riyadh website

Axis Communications opens new office and experience centre in Saudi Arabia

Axis Communications has officially inaugurated its new office and Axis Experience Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
GITEX Global 2024 website

GITEX GLOBAL 2024: AI revolution drives strategic tech innovation

GITEX GLOBAL 2024 concluded on Friday, showcasing artificial intelligence (AI) as a transformative force driving business and economic growth
AA_DAS_PR_ControlID_KingsAward2024_500x300

ASSA ABLOY biometric solution wins major security award

ASSA ABLOY has been recognised at the 25th Kings Excellence Awards. iDFace from Control iD won Best Biometric Product of the Year.
Verkada

How cameras will fuel the smart cities of tomorrow

Daniel Zheng, Director, Sales Strategy & Operations, Verkada provides their insights into smart cities, in the first installment of an…
Scroll to Top