How to transition from analog to IP surveillance without disruption

As organizations continue to modernize their surveillance systems, the transition from analog to IP-based technology has become an industry standard.
 
But despite years of digital momentum, analog systems remain firmly embedded in the global surveillance landscape - particularly in small to medium-sized businesses and legacy-heavy sectors such as banking and healthcare.
 
According to industry estimates, the US analog surveillance market is projected to grow from USD 3 billion in 2025 to USD 4.27 billion by 2030, driven by the demand for cost-effective solutions and compatibility with coaxial cable infrastructure.
 
In 2023 alone, 28.28 million units of analog cameras were sold through offline channels in the U.S., underscoring the continued reliance on older technologies even as IP systems dominate new deployments.
 
Experts say the transition to smart IP surveillance must be carefully planned to avoid surveillance downtime, compliance gaps, or wasted investment - particularly for organizations operating across multiple locations. 

Start with a comprehensive Infrastructure audit

The first step in any surveillance upgrade is understanding what infrastructure already exists. A detailed audit covering camera types, wiring, storage systems, and software platforms provides the baseline for building a migration plan that addresses real operational needs.
 
“The transition starts with understanding the current infrastructure, identifying where immediate improvements can be made, and having a plan that supports long-term flexibility,” said Matt Tengwall, a senior executive in the video surveillance industry.
 
In sectors like banking, where camera coverage is mandatory for regulatory compliance, the audit helps determine which sites can be upgraded first without compromising monitoring capabilities elsewhere.

Adopt a hybrid deployment strategy

Organizations are advised to avoid abrupt transitions. A hybrid setup, where analog and IP systems coexist, allows for a gradual rollout of new technologies without disrupting existing surveillance operations.
 
“Typically, replacing cameras leaves security teams with downtime as they wait for new cameras to come online,” said Greg Colaluca, a general manager in surveillance technology. “To ensure operational continuity during gradual transitions, teams can manage their surveillance systems from a unifying, centralized platform.”
 
This approach is especially relevant in large-scale environments like banks, universities, or hospitals, where any interruption in surveillance could pose serious legal or safety risks.

Leverage centralized video management systems 

The core enabler of hybrid surveillance environments is a centralized video management system (VMS). These platforms allow teams to manage both analog and IP cameras from a single interface, simplifying control across multiple locations.
 
“Many centralized systems support hybrid environments, enabling the coexistence of analog and IP cameras,” said Colaluca.
 
For organizations with hundreds or thousands of cameras, centralized VMS solutions reduce the burden of managing updates, system health checks, and policy enforcement across sites, which is a major operational advantage. 

Plan for compliance and continuity

Video surveillance is often a critical compliance tool, particularly in regulated industries like finance, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare. Any upgrade must preserve access to video evidence, maintain audit trails, and uphold chain-of-custody protocols.
 
“Continuity, compliance, and control must work in lockstep — even as technology evolves,” said Tengwall.
 
This requires advance planning to ensure that footage retention requirements are met and that legacy systems are not decommissioned before compliance obligations are fulfilled.

Future-proof the system with scalable components

Choosing technology with a long-term roadmap is essential. Even if an organization does not yet need AI analytics or cloud video storage, selecting IP systems that can scale in the future protects the value of the investment.
 
Greg Colaluca noted that maintaining operational continuity during a surveillance upgrade is essential. He explained that centralized platforms allow teams to manage both analog and IP cameras in hybrid environments, offering the flexibility for a step-by-step migration without disrupting existing operations.
 
Organizations should consider IP cameras with open standards, cloud-ready NVRs, and analytics-capable software to enable future upgrades without significant reinvestment.

Train security teams along the way 

New technology is only as effective as the people operating it. As organizations deploy IP-based systems, it’s crucial to ensure that security and IT personnel receive proper training in camera configuration, network monitoring, and video retrieval.
 
Rolling out upgrades in stages allows teams to adapt gradually, minimizing errors and downtime. This is especially important in sectors like education and retail, where surveillance duties often fall on general staff rather than full-time security professionals. 

Avoid the 'rip and replace' approach

 
Experts strongly discourage “rip and replace” strategies, which involve removing all analog systems in one go. This approach often leads to downtime, unnecessary costs, and complex troubleshooting.
 
“Our tools are designed to work with a mix of legacy and IP environments,” said Tengwall. “That makes it easier to centralize operations and apply consistent updates across multiple sites.”
 
Instead, gradual migration allows organizations to align upgrades with renovation projects, compliance deadlines, or budget cycles — spreading out costs and reducing risk.

Market trends reflect gradual change 

Even as IP video surveillance dominates new installations, analog systems remain deeply entrenched in the U.S. market. Research suggests that analog continues to serve organizations looking for reliable, low-cost solutions or those not yet ready to overhaul their infrastructure.
 
The North America analog security camera market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.5 percent from 2024 to 2032, supported by the availability of high-resolution analog cameras and the ease of integration with existing cabling.
 
For security integrators, this signals a continued demand for hybrid solutions that support analog while gradually unlocking IP capabilities over time.

A checklist for security integrators

 
For organizations planning a move to IP surveillance, industry experts recommend the following steps:
 
Audit existing infrastructure
Identify analog assets, cabling, storage, and bandwidth constraints.
 
Prioritize sites for upgrade
Target locations with high risk, poor footage quality, or upcoming audits.
 
Deploy hybrid systems
Use hybrid NVRs and VMS platforms to manage analog and IP simultaneously.
 
Maintain compliance
Ensure retention policies and audit trail requirements are preserved.
 
Invest in scalable tech
Choose cameras and software with support for future analytics or cloud use.
 
Provide training
Prepare staff to manage new systems with proper onboarding.
 
Phase gradually
Avoid replacing everything at once. Upgrade site by site, in sync with operations.

Final thoughts

The transition to IP surveillance is not just about upgrading cameras; it is about evolving entire security operations. By taking a measured, strategic approach, organizations can modernize their infrastructure while maintaining coverage, meeting compliance requirements, and preparing for future threats.
 
With millions of analog cameras still in use across the U.S., the surveillance landscape will remain mixed for years to come. Hybrid migration, supported by centralized management, scalable platforms, and expert training, offers the most practical way forward.