As part of an online miniseries, Mick Dunne, General Manager of GJD discusses his industry predictions for 2026.
My name is Mick Dunne and I am pleased to have been recently appointed as the General Manager, GJD, a British manufacturer of perimeter security products.
I bring over 35 years of experience in the security industry, having held senior roles in engineering, operations, sales and as Managing Director.
Throughout my career, I have focused on driving operational excellence, mentoring teams and delivering customer-focused solutions.
At GJD, I look forward to supporting the established and highly skilled team already in place, ensuring we continue to build on the company’s strong foundations and deliver strategic growth.
Security can often be overcomplicated, but at its core it boils down to providing the earliest possible warning that something is under threat.
This principle applies equally to fire systems, where early detection is critical to saving lives and protecting property.
I believe GJD is positioned at the forefront of this mission, specialising in perimeter protection – which is the earliest warning possible – especially with the backing of the AVA Risk Management Group.
The key trends right now are a focus on artificial intelligence (AI), mobile apps, remote monitoring and the emerging threats posed by drone technology.
AI is transforming the way we detect and respond to risks, while mobile applications and remote monitoring are making systems more accessible and efficient for end users.
At the same time, drones represent both a challenge and an opportunity, requiring new countermeasures while offering innovative surveillance capabilities.
The drone problem facing prisons is just one example of this, as was highlighted in an article GJD wrote for SJUK earlier this year.
Looking ahead, I predict significant growth in the protection of critical infrastructure such as power stations, oil pipelines, government buildings and Ministry of Defence sites.
These facilities are high-value targets and the evolving threat landscape will require the security industry to adapt and innovate in how such sites are secured.
Due to the speed of technology in our industry, it is very easy to overcomplicate a product or system that ultimately provides no benefit to the customer, fails to fully secure their premises and often results in higher costs.
My advice is simple: any system designed should directly solve the customer’s issues, not just be a product for sale.
This requires honest communication, the right product choices and correct installation. Security is always stronger when built in layers rather than relying on one discipline alone.
For example, CCTV is far more effective when integrated with an intruder alarm system and access control, all working together as one unified solution.
By combining these technologies, organisations can achieve a more robust and resilient security posture.
