Open platform and sustainable technologies shape security priorities

Open platform architectures and sustainable technology strategies are becoming increasingly important considerations for physical security projects in 2025.
 
For many end users, these factors influence long term value creation, system lifecycle expectations, and the ability to integrate security devices into wider operational ecosystems.
 
While adoption remains uneven across sectors, industry experts note a clear shift toward more informed decision making.

Growing expectations around platform openness 

Open platform capabilities have long been a standard expectation in the security industry. According to David Needham, Manager of the Architect and Engineering Program for EMEA at Axis Communications, the concept has matured significantly.
 
"Open platforms are almost a given, because everyone in the supply chain expects systems to interoperate," he said. He added that industry initiatives have strengthened this shift. "Initiatives like ONVIF have been so widely adopted that the expectation for openness has now been cemented."
 
Needham noted that because most vendors now claim open platform compatibility, the feature is less of a clear differentiator. However, its importance remains foundational as integrators design systems that must work across multiple vendors, technologies, and software environments.
 
Christian Cabirol, CTO of MOBOTIX AG, agreed that openness has become central to modern system development. "Openness and sustainability are no longer optional – they’re decisive differentiators," he said. He pointed to open platforms as a way to extend value beyond core video surveillance functionality. "Our open MOBOTIX 7 and
MOBOTIX ONE platforms empower partners to develop their own apps and integrations, extending system value far beyond traditional video use cases."
 
For integrators, this evolution means a wider range of tools and partnerships to meet specific customer requirements. It also reinforces the need for robust integration planning, especially as more organizations rely on unified security, building management, and analytics ecosystems.

Sustainability moves from discussion to decision making

While openness is now standard, sustainability has only recently begun to influence procurement and system design more actively. Kenny highlighted that adoption is still early. "Sustainability remains early in adoption," he said, even as regional regulations push organizations to reconsider their technology impact. "EU regulations are pushing businesses to act responsibly, companies signing up to science-based targets, and international certifications like BREEAM are gaining traction. But there’s still a lot more to do."
 
One barrier remains the focus on upfront hardware pricing rather than the broader operational cost. Kenny explained that total cost of ownership is directly linked to sustainable choices. "Total cost of ownership and sustainability go hand in hand. Power consumption, compression efficiency, server load, and cooling requirements all have environmental and financial implications."
 
He added that customers are becoming more aware of these issues. "The encouraging sign is that more customers are now asking the right questions. Sustainability is finally becoming a real factor in decision making rather than an afterthought."
 
Cabirol described sustainability as a long-term commitment rather than a short-term trend. "Our sustainability strategy focuses on long lifecycle products, software driven upgrades, and energy efficient operation," he said. He defined true sustainability as a focus on durability. "True sustainability, in our view, means building technology that lasts and continues to evolve with our customers’ needs."
 
For security systems integrators, these priorities have practical implications. Projects increasingly require energy efficient cameras, reduced server loads through edge processing, and system architectures designed for longevity. Integrators will also need familiarity with sustainability frameworks to support customers pursuing environmental certifications.

Market sectors driving adoption in 2025

Across Europe and the Middle East, several key sectors are shaping security investments this year. Data centers remain one of the fastest growing areas. "Data centers are a huge driver, without a doubt," Needham said. He pointed to the expanding digital environment as the main catalyst. "There’s more connectivity than ever, more data generation, more demand for AI. Data centers simply can’t be built fast enough to keep up."
 
Governments are also increasing investments, particularly in areas related to national security, border management, and critical infrastructure. Kenny linked this trend to global uncertainty and regional security priorities. Public sector spending extends to urban environments as well. "Smart city projects continue to grow as municipalities look for new ways to improve safety, mobility, and efficiency," he said.
 
Commercial real estate is another sector seeing renewed momentum following the pandemic. According to Kenny, the return of workplace activity, combined with new PropTech adoption, is helping drive new deployments. Long established verticals like retail and transportation remain active and stable, continuing to adopt modern surveillance and analytics technology.
 
Cabirol pointed to similar patterns, particularly in high security environments. "In 2025, we’re seeing strong momentum in critical infrastructure, healthcare, and industrial environments," he said. He noted the increasing demand for specialized technologies. "The demand for thermal and AI based safety applications is increasing rapidly – especially for early fire detection, process monitoring, and perimeter protection."
 
He also highlighted growth in public sector projects. "Public sector projects related to urban security and smart city development are also expanding," he said. These environments often rely on certified cybersecurity features and analytics driven workflows, areas where integrators play a central role in deployment and ongoing system management.

Advanced analytics and AI powered applications 

As both Axis Communications and MOBOTIX observe growing market demand, AI driven applications are becoming essential in system design. For data centers, industrial facilities, or smart city deployments, the ability to analyze video in real time is now a major requirement. These capabilities influence camera selection, edge processing needs, and backend infrastructure.
 
Thermal imaging and AI powered detection are particularly important in industrial and critical infrastructure spaces. As Cabirol explained, these applications support a wide range of safety and operational needs, including fire detection and process monitoring.
 
Such technologies help operators reduce risk while improving response times.
For integrators, the challenge is ensuring that analytic tools are properly configured, calibrated, and integrated into larger workflows. This includes linking analytics to alarms, video management systems, or building control platforms.

Increasing alignment between IT and security priorities 

The rapid expansion of sectors such as data centers and smart buildings reflects the broader convergence between information technology and physical security. Many systems now share network infrastructure, cybersecurity requirements, and cloud management expectations.
 
Integrators must adapt to these trends as customers request unified systems supporting both security and operational objectives. That includes designing architectures that minimize bandwidth consumption, reduce energy usage, and support flexible deployment models.
 
Kenny noted that while new technologies enter the market, established sectors are also benefiting from these advancements. "While the rapid growth of new technology is driving fresh adoption, established sectors can see that the benefits of modern surveillance technology are huge – and they stretch far beyond better image quality."
 
This shift is especially visible in transportation, retail, and public sector environments, where analytics driven insights support both security and business intelligence.

Implications for security systems integrators 

As openness and sustainability become expected elements of modern security deployments, integrators will need to adjust their design considerations. This includes selecting hardware that supports efficient compression, optimized power usage, and reliable long-term operation.
 
Analytics and AI based tools will continue to shape system requirements, particularly in industrial, healthcare, and critical infrastructure environments. Thermal imaging, early fire detection, perimeter analytics, and process monitoring are becoming mainstream needs across the region.
 
Smart city and government projects will require strong cybersecurity, data privacy controls, and validated integration practices. Meanwhile, the accelerating expansion of data centers places pressure on deployment timelines, ongoing maintenance, and the need for high availability systems.
 
Cabirol emphasized that long term value depends on flexible platforms. "Building technology that lasts and continues to evolve with our customers’ needs" supports more sustainable deployment models and reduces the frequency of large-scale hardware replacements.
 
For integrators, the overall direction is clear. Openness, sustainability, and intelligent analytics are shaping the next generation of security systems, influencing both the technology landscape and the way projects are designed.
 
As customer expectations evolve, systems integrators and consultants will play an increasingly critical role in guiding organizations through these decisions and helping them build systems prepared for long term operational demands.