Why delaying surveillance camera upgrades is a risk too costly to ignore

Across industries, organizations are increasingly discovering that outdated surveillance systems are more than just inefficient - they’re risky. As threats evolve and technologies advance, relying on legacy video cameras can create critical vulnerabilities.
 
From missed detections and compliance failures to cybersecurity loopholes and rising maintenance costs, the consequences of delay can quickly escalate. At a time when high-definition footage, real-time alerts, and intelligent analytics are becoming essential to security operations, postponing infrastructure upgrades could mean falling dangerously behind.
 
In this feature, industry leaders from Verint, Netwatch, and Intellicene discuss how failure to modernize surveillance systems impacts everything from threat detection to operational resilience.

The risks of stagnation

Modern security environments demand more than just basic video capture. Yet across multiple sectors, organizations continue to delay replacing aging surveillance cameras - many of which lack adequate resolution, real-time capabilities, or even basic cybersecurity protections.
 
“In the financial sector [for instance], relying on outdated video systems creates risks that can escalate quickly,” said Matt Tengwall, Senior Vice President and Global General Manager at Verint. “Many legacy cameras lack the resolution and reliability to capture critical events - suspicious activity near an ATM, a fraudulent transaction at a teller window, or a security incident inside a branch.”
 
This failure to capture usable video can complicate investigations, delay response times, and even impact compliance with internal or regulatory standards. In high-risk sectors like banking, the stakes are particularly high.
 
Tengwall added, “Over time, the cost of waiting compounds. Institutions may spend more time recovering lost footage, manually pulling video across locations, or compensating for poor image quality that doesn’t meet standards.”
 
Kurt Takahashi, CEO of Netwatch, highlighted how obsolete systems can degrade security capabilities over time. “Delaying the upgrade of surveillance cameras exposes organizations to a range of often avoidable risks,” he said. “Outdated systems often lack critical features, suffer from poor resolution and limited storage, and can lead to cybersecurity vulnerabilities.”
 
These technical deficits, he added, “can snowball into more serious issues - missed threat detection, failure to integrate with modern technologies, and increased maintenance or recovery costs.”

Falling behind in the security arms race

Greg Colaluca, General Manager of Intellicene, emphasized the risks of obsolescence in a broader context: the constant evolution of threats.
 
“Security technologies are constantly evolving, and in turn, so are the methods bad actors use to circumvent an organization’s security measures,” said Colaluca. “When security teams quit upgrading and integrating their systems, they risk falling behind in the hypothetical 'arms race' with would-be criminals - especially in population-dense areas with high crime rates.”
 
The issue, he explained, isn’t limited to camera hardware. New technologies like AI-powered video analytics, cloud storage, and real-time monitoring require a solid foundation of compatible devices. Old equipment that lacks interoperability can hold back the entire system.
 
“This creates blind spots, inefficiencies, and silos of disconnected systems that reduce the effectiveness of a broader security strategy,” Colaluca said.

Modern surveillance: beyond resolution

Today’s surveillance systems are no longer just about capturing images - they are intelligence tools designed to help teams work smarter and faster. In sites like financial institutions, this includes features like redaction tools to protect privacy, remote access for faster decision-making, and real-time alerts for immediate incident response.
 
“Upgrading video infrastructure means more than better resolution,” Tengwall said. “It’s about helping security and fraud teams work faster, collaborate more easily, and stay ahead of operational demands.”
 
When outdated systems are in place, these efficiencies are lost. Investigations may take longer. Teams may lack access to critical footage at the moment it’s needed. And compliance lapses may lead to reputational or legal consequences.
 
“The longer banks hold off,” Tengwall warned, “the harder it becomes to close those gaps.”
 
Netwatch’s Takahashi agrees that modernizing surveillance is an investment in operational resilience. “Proactively refreshing your security infrastructure truly is a strategic move to protect productivity, minimize downtime, and ensure long-term operational resilience,” he said.

Integration challenges and legacy system limitations

Another critical issue that arises with outdated cameras is the inability to integrate with newer platforms and technologies. As security ecosystems grow more complex, with video analytics, access control, alarms, and cybersecurity tools increasingly working together, camera compatibility becomes essential.
“Compatibility is key,” said Colaluca. “As newer technologies are introduced - whether it’s advanced video analytics, cloud storage, or AI-assisted monitoring - older equipment may cause security teams to slow down.”
 
This not only creates inefficiencies but also leads to operational silos - disconnected systems that do not share data or insights, undermining the effectiveness of threat detection and response.
 
The maintenance burden of legacy systems is another challenge. As hardware ages, failure rates increase, spare parts become harder to source, and repair costs add up. Meanwhile, software updates and cybersecurity patches often cease altogether, leaving systems vulnerable.
 
“Ultimately, this translates to diminished protection for your data, facilities, and workforce,” said Takahashi.

Strategic considerations for upgrades

Despite the clear risks, many organizations delay camera upgrades due to budget constraints, lack of awareness, or the complexity of transitioning from legacy systems. Experts suggest a strategic approach to upgrades can ease these concerns.
 
One effective method is prioritization based on risk - identifying high-risk areas or locations with frequent incidents and upgrading those systems first. Organizations should also explore platforms that support phased migration, allowing legacy and new systems to coexist during the transition period.
 
“It doesn’t have to be all or nothing,” said Tengwall. “The key is to start closing the gaps where they matter most.”
 
Additionally, future-proofing the infrastructure - by investing in open-platform solutions and scalable architecture - ensures that today’s investments remain viable in the years ahead.

The path forward 

Security teams need to view surveillance camera upgrades not as one-off hardware replacements but as an integral part of a broader security transformation. The growing importance of data integration, analytics, and real-time decision-making has elevated the role of video surveillance from passive monitoring to active risk management.
 
For physical security integrators and consultants, this shift opens up new opportunities. By guiding clients through strategic upgrade paths, offering solutions that integrate with emerging technologies, and ensuring ongoing compliance, integrators can become vital partners in building resilient security infrastructures.
 
“Organizations need to understand that this isn’t just about video,” said Colaluca. “It’s about how video fits into a larger ecosystem of security and operational intelligence.”
The takeaway? Delaying upgrades may save money in the short term, but the long-term costs - in lost footage, increased vulnerabilities, reduced compliance, and higher maintenance - are far greater.
 
Forward-thinking organizations are taking a proactive stance, not just to keep pace with technology but to stay ahead of evolving threats. In today’s high-stakes security landscape, that’s not just prudent - it’s essential.