Hybrid adoption and analytics define North America’s video surveillance market in 2025

The North American video surveillance market is undergoing one of its most significant transformations in recent years. Fueled by advances in artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and system integration, security technology is rapidly shifting from traditional monitoring toward intelligent, data-driven operations.
 
Organizations are no longer just recording video. They are analyzing it, automating responses, and integrating insights across enterprise systems.
 
Industry leaders agree that 2025 marks a turning point. The convergence of AI and cloud technologies is enabling faster decision-making, deeper analytics, and smarter infrastructure management. As demand for hybrid deployments grows, end users are seeking flexible, scalable solutions that can evolve with their operational needs. The focus is on delivering both innovation and reliability in an era where security systems are expected to be not only reactive but predictive and verifiable.

AI and cloud adoption gain momentum 

“AI and cloud adoption are experiencing significant growth,” said Charles Nguyen, Product Marketing Manager, VAA at Genetec. “A big reason behind this momentum is that organizations want technology that allows them to work faster and more efficiently. In North America especially, there’s a strong focus on optimization and finding ways to make daily operations more intuitive.”
 
Nguyen added that the debate over deployment models has matured. “It’s no longer a debate between going fully cloud or staying completely on-prem. Most organizations are looking for deployment flexibility,” he said. “Customers want the ability to choose – on-premises, cloud, or both – and move to the cloud at their own pace.”
 
This trend toward flexibility is echoed across the industry. Matt Tengwall, SVP and Global General Manager, Fraud & Security Solutions at Verint Systems, said modernization in sectors like banking is deliberate and data-driven.
 
“Across banking and financial services, modernization is happening with purpose,” he said. “Many institutions are testing cloud applications that make daily operations easier, from secure video sharing to advanced analytics, while maintaining on-premises control where it makes sense. Hybrid adoption has become the model of choice, letting banks modernize branch by branch and measure results as they go.”
 
According to Tengwall, the hybrid model provides both technological and operational advantages. “This steady approach gives teams the flexibility to strengthen compliance, streamline management, and apply AI-driven insight at a pace that fits their strategy,” he added.

Intelligent surveillance takes center stage

Across industries, AI is transforming surveillance systems from passive monitoring tools into intelligent, predictive systems. Kurt Takahashi, CEO of Netwatch, described the pace of change as unprecedented: “The pace of change is extraordinary. We’re witnessing one of the fastest transformations the security industry has ever experienced. AI and cloud technologies are now foundational to how modern surveillance operates.”
 
Takahashi explained that the combination of cloud and AI enables “real-time analytics, centralized management, and seamless integration across multiple sites, something that was impossible in the traditional, on-premises model.” The outcome is a system that “doesn’t just record activity but actively interprets it, prioritizing what matters most and automating much of the response process.”
 
He added that AI-enabled monitoring has become central to many organizations’ strategies. “PVM and RVM, for example, have become part of a lot of organization’s central operational strategy, where intelligent systems handle detection and verification and human operators focus on decision-making and coordination,” he said. “It’s a clear reflection of how automation is redefining security, turning video surveillance from a passive function into a proactive, intelligent force for protection.”

Efficiency and integration as driving forces

As the volume of security data grows, efficiency and integration are shaping system design. Greg Colaluca, CEO of Intellicene, said, “Across industry, AI and cloud tools are in the hot seat as we look for ways to simplify data management and make video surveillance systems more connected and accessible.”
 
“Security teams want quick access to the information that matters most,” Colaluca said. “Cloud platforms can help make that possible by bringing video, alarms, access control, and intrusion detection into one seamless, easy-to-use system. When these systems operate together as part of an integrated security environment, teams gain a fuller picture of what’s happening in real time.”
 
He added that AI brings essential analytical power. “AI adds another layer of intelligence, giving teams smarter analytics that help them spot trends, unusual activity, and key moments faster than ever.”
 
While he expects cloud growth to continue, Colaluca noted that efficiency remains a critical factor. “I foresee cloud growth continuing but at a slower rate than originally anticipated unless AI can assist in compression, making it much more efficient and affordable,” he said. “On the other hand, I anticipate SaaS cloud solutions will continue their current growth trajectory.”

Building trust in AI-powered systems

As AI advances, so do concerns about data authenticity and manipulation. Jason Crawforth, CEO of Rhombus, said organizations are recognizing new types of risk that accompany intelligent technologies. “Many organizations are beginning to recognize the need to protect these very same systems from AI-powered manipulation,” he said.
 
“Because generative AI can alter frames, timestamps, and scenes with striking realism, organizations are building protection at the camera and VMS level so footage stays trustworthy from the moment it’s recorded,” Crawforth explained.
 
To address these challenges, companies are adopting blockchain-based authentication, edge validation, and immutable storage. “The move toward blockchain-based authentication, edge validation, and immutable storage is reinforcing trust in digital evidence and creating a foundation for future-ready surveillance,” he said.
 
This shift underscores a growing awareness of the value of verified data. “Video data holds immense value when verified, protected, and easily shared across connected environments,” Crawforth said. “The industry reflects a broader commitment to both innovation and accountability in how security data is captured, verified, and preserved.”

Analytics and adaptive AI features 

AI-driven analytics are delivering measurable improvements in accuracy and adaptability. Adam Lowenstein, Americas Product Director at i-PRO, said, “AI adoption is moving fast across North America. The reason for this is that AI-enabled analytics are delivering more value, reducing false alarms, and offering flexibility in fine-tuned analytic features and functions.”
 
He noted that advanced features are helping systems adapt to real-world conditions. “Advanced AI features, such as i-PRO’s Scene Change Detection and On-site Learning, allow capable cameras to be trained for non-standard situations and objects, so systems can adapt to real-world scenarios instead of relying on generic settings.”
 
Lowenstein added that cloud strategies vary widely but continue to expand. “Some systems connect cameras directly to the cloud, others use gateways, and many combine on-site recording with cloud-based storage for long-term video storage,” he said. “Each approach brings its own advantages. What matters is having a plan that fits the organization’s design and budget.”

Flexibility and integration drive buying decisions

Technology performance alone no longer defines purchasing decisions. Ray May, Chief Technology Officer at Parker Group, said flexibility is now a key determinant in procurement. “End-users in critical environments consider many factors when making purchasing decisions, but flexibility is key,” he said.
 
“Flexibility is crucial to organizations that operate in dynamic, complex environments where security needs shift rapidly,” May said. “Buyers look for solutions that integrate with evolving technologies and do so without disrupting current systems.”
 
He added that decision-makers continue to value interoperability. “Integration across systems, remote accessibility, and cutting-edge security remain essential considerations,” he said. “Maintaining situational awareness, verifying events in real time, and streamlining operations are also key priorities. The ability to adapt to evolving operational requirements is a primary driver for control room end users.”

Outlook for 2025 and beyond 

In 2025, the North American video surveillance market is defined by three key trends: hybrid cloud flexibility, AI-driven analytics, and the protection of data integrity. Integrators are expected to design systems that bring these priorities together while maintaining compliance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.
 
Nguyen of Genetec summarized the shift as one toward choice and control. Organizations want to modernize at their own pace, leveraging AI for smarter analytics while ensuring that data remains secure and verifiable. Hybrid architectures and intelligent automation are now setting the benchmark for system design.
 
For security systems integrators and consultants, these developments underscore a broader role in guiding clients through digital transformation. The task is not only to deploy advanced tools but to ensure they enhance reliability, efficiency, and trust across every layer of surveillance.