Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the key areas of growth for security in 2024, says Don Erickson, CEO, Security Industry Association (SIA).
As we head into 2024, it is more apparent than ever that the security industry is evolving and as technology advances, the boundaries of our industry’s work are also diminishing.
The Security Industry Association (SIA) and the over 1,400 companies we represent are constantly innovating and artificial intelligence (AI) – while it’s been a part of our industry for some time – is now taking over.
In the latest Security Megatrends report (a signature annual SIA publication defining the top ten factors influencing short and long-term change in global security), AI claimed the top four slots, with industry leaders facing key issues, challenges and opportunities in a variety of areas (the security of AI, a shift from video surveillance to visual intelligence, generative AI and the regulation of AI).
Over 89% of respondents to this year’s Megatrends survey said they had AI projects active in their research and development pipelines.
SIA has responded to the growing prominence and importance of AI by establishing the SIA AI Advisory Board to offer expertise and education about relevant trends, applications and regulations.
As AI has climbed to the top of security’s megatrends, the camera has become the ultimate sensor, leading to a shift from pure security applications of video to offering visual intelligence and substantial return on investment.
Applying AI and analytics to cameras’ sensors will make cameras significantly more valuable to end users and allow them to be leveraged for a variety of business process automation opportunities and improvements related to customer, visitor and employee experiences.
With the ongoing adoption of AI into businesses of all sizes, it is of utmost importance to prioritize cybersecurity for the protection of data, IP and corporate activity.
SIA is committed to cybersecurity and is actively involved in this area, including through a variety of efforts with the SIA Cybersecurity Advisory Board.
Organizations must adopt comprehensive, proactive security postures for AI and understand the AI impacts on their business and their customers.
Key topics for our industry to explore include how we trust AI as it begins to automate more of our business and life experiences, how we ensure AI is applied ethically, fairly and transparently and how we strengthen the cybersecurity of AI algorithms and the hardware running AI to protect against corruption and attack.
Accompanying the dramatic changes AI brings to our industry will likely be a wave of regulations and a push to establish a framework on AI.
SIA is keeping a close eye on regulations, including potential regulations from individual US states and current and future regulations around biometrics and facial recognition technology.
The utilities and energy sectors have continually faced threats and are tempting targets for bad actors, as was seen in the 2021 ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline and multiple hacks against US water facilities in November 2023.
Critical infrastructure security is a key growth area for our industry this year and one that SIA and our members are prioritizing through efforts with the SIA Utilities Advisory Board.
Companies can access SIA’s Federal Grants Guide for helpful information on funding available to support critical infrastructure security projects.
Another key growth area is data center security.
As our industry continues its foundational move to the cloud, we are seeing rapid data center growth and data centers face complex and evolving security challenges and a need for better comprehensive solutions.
SIA and our industry have a steadfast commitment to adding value and we look forward to continuing to work with our members to grow in these and other areas in 2024 and beyond.
Don was appointed CEO of SIA on 1 November 2011. He previously served as SIA Director of Government Relations from 2006 to 2011.
As CEO, Don is responsible for management of SIA’s operations and programs including marketing, government relations, education and standards initiatives and serves as the organization’s primary liaison to ISC Events.
Prior to joining SIA, Don served as Manager of Legislative Affairs for Alcatel and Legislative Director for a trade association representing rural telecommunications providers.
This article was originally published in the Special February Influencers Edition of Security Journal Americas. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.