Ric Martin, CEO, Pinnacle Systems highlights the role of IoT and centralised security in the success of this transformation.
As adoption accelerates, the global IoT market is projected to more than double, from USD 1.35 trillion in 2025 to USD 2.72 trillion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.04%.
This signals a shift from experimentation to full-scale use where organisations are integrating IoT into critical infrastructure and daily operations.
But the transition is not without its challenges. Managing the scale and complexity of sprawling device networks is critical to security technology capability.
By moving beyond fragmented approaches and adopting unified platforms for control, monitoring and integration, organisations can embrace IoT’s potential with greater confidence and resilience.
The rapid IoT growth is driving major shifts across every sector, including healthcare, education, logistics, retail, smart cities and critical infrastructure.
In these environments, connected devices are continuously gathering data, enabling real-time monitoring and control of critical systems, assets and infrastructure.
The promise of IoT lies in its ability to transform operational processes, predictive maintenance, improve safety and reduce costs.
Yet, with the vast number of devices and the growing complexity of systems, organisations must navigate complex challenges, from managing scale and maintaining interoperability to ensure security is maintained across diverse multi-site or remote environments.
Unlike traditional IT networks, IoT ecosystems consist of millions of diverse devices scattered across vast geographies.
These endpoints vary widely in function and capability, from simple environmental sensors to advanced edge computing units performing mission-critical tasks.
Many operate under stringent resource constraints and in harsh physical conditions, complicating efforts to maintain, update and secure them.
Operations must integrate legacy infrastructure alongside new technologies, creating hybrid systems that require sophisticated management strategies.
Security concerns are among the most pressing issues for IoT stakeholders.
Each connected device potentially expands the attack surface and vulnerabilities in any component can threaten entire networks and everyday operations for staff and visitors.
Centralised security frameworks have emerged as a key strategy to manage the increasing complexity and risk inherent in large-scale IoT deployments.
These platforms consolidate the management of device security policies, configuration and monitoring within a unified platform, enabling organisations to remotely maintain consistent security postures across diverse and distributed device estates.
By using existing systems and enabling standardised encryption, authentication and access controls, it reduces fragmentation and enhances the ability to detect and respond instantly to threats, simplifying operational processes critical for maintaining security device integrity.
A centralised platform for integration and monitoring (CPIM) serves as the top layer for IoT and incorporates security, fire safety and Building Management Systems (BMS), consolidating all these functions into a single, scalable and unified platform.
CPIMs are tailored for single-site applications with smaller control rooms, multi-site organisations looking for centralised monitoring and management and businesses seeking to establish a Security Operations Centre (SOC) for self-monitoring.
One of the key advantages of a CPIM is it does not lock organisations into a single manufacturer’s ecosystem.
It is designed to integrate with the wide range of hardware and software solutions in operation, ensuring maximum flexibility and choice.
In many cases, these platforms are linked to a secure cloud portal, allowing multiple sites to be managed simultaneously from one central point.
Regardless of the manufacturer, location or system type, operations teams can monitor, configure and respond to events across the entire estate – simplifying coordination and supporting faster decision-making.
A CPIM complements rather than replaces existing security infrastructure, working in partnership with VMS platforms to provide a unified security environment, ensuring all critical operations are managed from a single interface.
A major benefit of CPIMs is they do not require the replacement of existing hardware.
They sit on top of an organisation’s existing systems, making them a more budget-friendly solution.
CPIMs allow organisations to mix and match different hardware vendors across their portfolio, offering more flexibility, scalability and ensuring that businesses are not restricted to a single supplier.
They also establish alarms and faults from multiple standalone systems into a single platform, streamlining response times and improving overall efficiency.
Many traditional integration solutions limit the ability to add new devices or systems.
CPIMs provide a much more flexible framework, making it easier to incorporate additional integrations as an organisation’s needs evolve.
As the first CPIM in our industry, Pinnacle Systems is paving the way for a more adaptable and streamlined approach to IoT, embracing tailored security and fire safety system integration.
This article was originally published in the August edition of Security Journal UK. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.
