SSN News Poll: Cloud, AI, data analytics top trends for 2021

YARMOUTH, Maine—With the recent release of the Security Industry Association (SIA) Security Megatrends for 2021, Security System News’ December News Poll gauges where readers stand on new trends and technology, and the impact they will have on the industry moving forward.  

Big picture, it is not surprising to see cloud-based solutions as the top tech trend for 2021, as SSN readers understand that computing in the cloud is the key to realizing high-level artificial intelligence and data analytics —the top two technologies with the most potential for 2021, according to our latest poll.

Looking closer at the numbers, cloud-based solutions/computing was top tech trend for 2021 with 56 percent, with both “move toward managed services (25 percent),” and “cyber within physical security (19 percent),” garnering some attention in the top three as well.

“We’re seeing a growing demand for physical security systems integration between access control, video and alarm to provide a single, dynamic view of the security enterprise,” said Brivo President and CEO Steve Van Till in the SSN Five Questions feature. “Even more so, the trend of cloud-to-cloud integration across these systems has become more prevalent. In an effort to further achieve efficiency and operational clarity by pulling together disparate systems, organizations are also looking to integrate security with cross-functional areas such as PropTech and HR software.”

In terms of which technology has the most potential for 2021, data analytics (47 percent) edged out AI (33 percent) for the top spot, followed by facial recognition (20 percent) in third.

As SIA Board of Directors Chair Pierre Trapanese pointed out in the SIA megatrends report, “AI is the underlying trend driving future technological advancements in the security industry, and ultimately AI offers the promise of making security and safety solutions more effective, efficient, automated and responsive to users and customers. The adoption of AI by the security industry will not, however, be an overnight change; instead, it will shape the long-term evolution of security solutions and will be an avenue for growth, competition and creativity for many years to come.”

When asked which trends will be most disruptive in 2021, 50 percent of SSN readers said “touchless, frictionless access,” with “IoT, connectivity and data privacy” a close second at 29 percent and “smart, open and predictive platforms,” getting some attention with 21 percent of the vote.