As part of an online miniseries, Jamie Allam, CEO of Amthal Group Companies discusses his industry predictions for 2026.
Jamie Allam, CEO Amthal Group Companies.
I have been with the company since 2008 when I joined as Commercial Director.
I am now responsible for culture, strategy, board governance, shareholder value, funding and M&A together with market positioning and performance oversight.
AI will continue to advance and become increasingly embedded in everyday security operations.
Its use will move further beyond video analytics into more advanced automation, early detection and decision-support functions that help organisations respond more intelligently to incidents.
Cloud applications will solidify their position as the industry standard with more systems designed to operate natively in the cloud rather than as adapted versions of traditional on-premises solutions.
This shift will support greater scalability, faster updates and more integration with wider organisational systems.
Integrating security technology and data with platforms outside the traditional security remit will accelerate. Security systems will increasingly share information with building management tools, HR platforms and health and safety systems, allowing organisations to access more holistic views of activity across their sites.
This level of integration will support improved operational efficiency, better reporting and more consistent policy compliance across departments that previously relied on separate solutions.
For intruder alarm systems, remote monitoring will reduce whilst self-monitored solutions that deliver confirmed visual images directly to users will grow.
This will be driven by the expectation for faster, clearer and more direct verification of incidents.
Users want greater control and immediate insight into what is happening on their premises and the technology supporting this approach is becoming more reliable and widely adopted.
Procurement preferences will continue shifting toward Opex models.
Cloud-based subscription systems will see increased uptake as organisations look for predictable ongoing costs, easier scalability and the flexibility to adopt new features over time without committing to large upfront expenditure.
Traditional Capex models will remain in use but are likely to represent a smaller share of new installations as subscription-driven approaches become more aligned with operational and financial expectations.
The key for the year ahead is to combine thoughtful planning with openness to opportunity.
While it is important to make decisions with awareness of economic uncertainty, this should not prevent organisations from exploring new ways to improve, grow and operate more efficiently.
Managing investment wisely allows flexibility but there is equal value in staying engaged with emerging technology that can enhance both service delivery and internal operations.
Security technology that connects and centralises systems, simplifies processes and provides clearer visibility enables smarter decision-making and helps organisations operate more effectively.
Those who explore and implement these tools in a thoughtful way are better placed to adapt to change and make the most of opportunities as they arise.
Data management and integration will play a central role in 2026.
Organisations that bring previously separate systems together, whether in operations, security or wider business functions, gain better insight and the ability to respond quickly and confidently.
Using technology to support both operational efficiency and informed decision-making is a way to stay ahead and create a more connected, productive environment.
The most effective approach is to remain proactive and curious to new security technology, adopting innovations that make practical sense while maintaining flexibility.
This ensures organisations can drive efficiencies, improve performance and strengthen resilience, all while positioning themselves to take advantage of future developments.
