As security threats grow more complex and customer expectations shift toward proactive protection, video surveillance firms are rethinking the way they build and deploy systems.
The focus is shifting from traditional reactive setups to flexible, data-driven platforms that integrate AI analytics, cloud capabilities and third-party systems.
Industry players, including the likes of Netwatch, Verint and Intellicene, are leaning into open architecture and hybrid infrastructure models to meet the changing needs of customers across sectors. Their strategies aim to deliver scalable, future-ready solutions while extending the life of existing security investments.
Netwatch: proactive monitoring at the core
Netwatch has carved out a distinctive niche in the physical security industry by offering proactive video monitoring services. Although the company does not manufacture cameras, it partners with top-tier video surveillance hardware providers to deliver a highly integrated, intelligent security service.
"Cameras are a critical part of any security system, and our goal is to help organizations use them more proactively - not passively," said Kurt Takahashi, CEO of Netwatch.
This ethos underpins Netwatch’s emphasis on open platform architecture, which enables seamless integration with a wide array of existing security infrastructure.
According to Takahashi, "Our open platform architecture allows seamless integration with existing security infrastructure, enabling our proactive video monitoring service while maximizing current investments while expanding capabilities."
The company combines AI-driven detection with human intervention through its live audio capabilities and monitoring specialists. "With services like video monitoring, real-time AI-driven detection, live audio personalized interventions, and advanced monitoring, we’re working with the rest of the industry to redefine what’s possible in modern security," Takahashi said.
Netwatch's model is particularly relevant for large, distributed environments such as critical infrastructure, logistics facilities, and utility providers - sectors where real-time intervention can prevent incidents before they escalate.
"We're focused on helping create a safer, smarter, and more responsive environment," Takahashi added. This vision aligns with market shifts toward more integrated, intelligence-driven surveillance models.
Verint: empowering financial institutions with hybrid flexibility
In the financial services sector, balancing legacy infrastructure with modern surveillance needs is a persistent challenge. Verint, a long-time player in this space, is addressing this issue with an open architecture platform designed for scalability.
"Verint designs tools that help financial institutions scale video surveillance infrastructure at their own pace," said Matt Tengwall, Senior Vice President and Global General Manager at Verint.
The company’s video management platform enables integration with a range of hardware—from 360-degree cameras to analytics engines—without the need to rip and replace existing systems. "Our video management platform supports open architecture, so banks can integrate 360-degree cameras, cloud capabilities, analytics, and other third-party video systems without disrupting operations or replacing what already works," Tengwall said.
This flexibility has made Verint a preferred partner for institutions transitioning to hybrid surveillance models. The platform supports both on-premise and cloud-based video storage and includes tools for long-term video capture, simple link-based sharing, and automated redaction.
"Many institutions are choosing hybrid video surveillance storage models, using features like long-term video capture, simple link-based sharing, and automated redaction," Tengwall explained. These capabilities allow financial institutions to remain compliant with evolving regulations while optimizing their operational efficiency.
The company also enables advanced analytics across existing infrastructure. "We support intelligent video analytics that can be activated across existing infrastructure," said Tengwall. "From ATM vestibule protection to behavior detection and dwell time analysis, these capabilities allow teams to extract more value from their current systems and apply insights across departments."
In a sector where both security and compliance are critical, Verint’s emphasis on modularity and intelligence offers a compelling roadmap for institutions looking to modernize.
Intellicene: unifying security through integration
Greg Colaluca, General Manager of Intellicene, underscores the importance of centralization and integration in managing large-scale security deployments. Intellicene delivers a unified platform that brings together disparate security systems, enabling teams to monitor, manage, and respond from a single command interface.
"Intellicene works with our partners to future-proof our end customers' surveillance setup with integrations and centralization," said Colaluca. "Providing security teams with a unified platform to manage security cameras, new or old, allows them the flexibility to integrate their existing solutions with third-party systems that increase the effectiveness of their security posture and enhance situational awareness."
Intellicene's platform supports integration with access control systems, environmental sensors, and alarm systems, creating a holistic view of the security environment.
"Teams can combine surveillance systems with access control, alarms, environmental sensors, and other solutions to extract valuable insights and create a fuller picture of protected sites," Colaluca noted.
This capability is especially important in environments such as corporate campuses, healthcare facilities, and education institutions, where layered security and centralized management are essential.
"This ensures organizations can keep their existing hardware while still being able to improve and expand, making sure they don't fall behind evolving threats," Colaluca added.
Intellicene's strategy also minimizes the need for expensive overhauls by allowing organizations to build upon what they already have. This makes their solutions attractive not only to large enterprises but also to mid-sized businesses with constrained budgets.
The road ahead: agility, openness, and intelligence
The security industry is undergoing a transformation, moving away from siloed, hardware-bound setups to intelligent ecosystems that are both open and agile. Across all three companies, several recurring themes emerged: open platform architecture, proactive intelligence, centralized management, and hybrid infrastructure models.
These principles resonate strongly with current market trends, where end users are demanding smarter, more efficient systems that offer a high return on investment. Solutions that allow easy integration with AI analytics and cloud services, while supporting legacy infrastructure, are becoming the gold standard.
This shift places increasing importance on the role of systems integrators and consultants, who must now guide clients through complex upgrade paths and ensure compatibility across different layers of technology. Open architecture and API-centric design are critical to this process, ensuring that today’s investments remain viable tomorrow.
Whether it's helping a logistics firm add AI-based detection to their perimeter cameras, or enabling a bank to automate video redaction for compliance audits, the ability to evolve without disrupting operations is paramount.
As regulatory frameworks tighten and threat actors become more sophisticated, security providers must continue pushing boundaries. The future of surveillance isn’t just about capturing footage - it’s about leveraging that data in real time to prevent harm, improve response, and inform decision-making.
Conclusion
While Netwatch, Verint, and Intellicene bring different strengths to the table, their approaches highlight a shared vision for the future of video surveillance. Proactive monitoring, intelligent analytics, open systems, and modular infrastructure are the cornerstones of scalable, future-ready security.
For integrators and consultants, the message is clear: the path to long-term success lies in flexibility, interoperability, and a deep understanding of how to marry existing assets with emerging technologies. Those who can deliver that balance will not only secure their clients’ facilities, but also their trust.