The video surveillance market in Asia is witnessing unprecedented growth as sectors from retail to urban infrastructure integrate cutting-edge technologies
The video surveillance market in Asia is witnessing unprecedented growth as sectors from retail to urban infrastructure integrate cutting-edge technologies to bolster security and operational efficiency.
In 2024, this market continues to evolve, driven by advances in AI-powered video analytics, cloud-based solutions, and the increasing adoption of smart city initiatives.
However, alongside these developments, growing concerns about data privacy and cybersecurity are pushing companies to prioritize secure, compliant, and flexible solutions.
In this feature, we explore the major shifts in video surveillance across Asia, drawing insights from industry leaders.
Growing demand across sectors
The demand for intelligent, connected video surveillance is surging across multiple sectors in Asia, including retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation. As smart city projects proliferate, the role of video surveillance is expanding beyond traditional security functions to enhance operational efficiency and public safety.
Marie-Helene Mansard, Business Development Director for Asia Pacific at Axis Communications, highlights the transformative impact of new technologies:
“In Asia, there’s a rising demand for intelligent, connected video surveillance across sectors like healthcare, retail, and transportation, driven by hybrid cloud technologies, 5G, and AI,” Mansard said.
These technologies are enabling real-time data transmission and providing actionable insights that go beyond traditional solutions to improve decision-making across industries.
“This evolution has transformed video surveillance from basic motion detection to advanced AI-powered edge analytics, providing actionable insights that enhance security and operational efficiency in industries such as manufacturing and logistics,” Mansard added.
Vivotek has similarly observed a shift in the market, with demand growing across verticals.
“We observed that the demand for AI security solutions in Asia is evolving rapidly across various vertical markets, such as smart cities, retails, commercial sector, manufacturing, industrial applications, healthcare and educational institutions,” said Allen Hsieh, Director, Global Marketing Division & Spokesperson at Vivotek.
AI-powered video analytics: enhancing efficiency and accuracy
One of the most significant developments in the video surveillance market is the increasing use of AI in video analytics. AI-driven systems offer a level of efficiency and precision that traditional surveillance systems cannot match, reducing false alarms and enhancing the ability to identify critical events.
According to Hsieh, the company's investment in AI solutions has been well-received by users across the region.
“The AI's video analytics capabilities are highly effective in improving the efficiency of identifying critical events and genuinely addressing the real security pain points faced by users,” Hsieh said. “This shift is particularly relevant for high-traffic environments such as smart cities, where AI can help streamline operations and provide enhanced security.”
Axis Communications is also at the forefront of AI integration, with Mansard emphasizing that “AI is revolutionizing video analytics in surveillance, enhancing efficiency by reducing false alarms and improving object recognition.”
Axis cameras can now identify objects like cars and people, providing real-time insights for immediate action.
“Customers now expect more than just recording - they want insights and alerts,” said Mansard, noting that AI can generate actionable reports for security teams to act on. The integration of AI with edge devices also improves processing speed, making it ideal for applications in retail and transportation where latency can be critical.
The role of video surveillance in Asian smart cities
Smart city initiatives are gaining momentum across Asia, with video surveillance playing a pivotal role in ensuring public safety and enhancing urban management. The integration of AI and video analytics allows cities to monitor and respond to events in real time, improving not only security but also the efficiency of public services like traffic management and emergency response.
Hsieh sees significant potential in smart city projects across Asia, noting that “Video surveillance will play a crucial role in urban development, as it can help businesses and governments create a secure environment while also enhancing operational efficiency.”
The company has already accumulated many successful cases in the Asia-Pacific region, including in Taiwan, New Zealand, Australia, and India.
“The Indian government is actively promoting smart cities, and this year there will be significant project achievements in the public sector,” Hsieh added.
Axis Communications is similarly focused on smart city projects, particularly in the areas of public safety, mobility, and environmental monitoring. Mansard pointed out that in one major Asian city, Axis implemented a system to monitor water levels and trigger audio alerts during floods.
“Our IP Audio systems are vital for real-time public announcements and emergency alerts,” Mansard explained, adding that Axis’s technology is also used for gunshot detection in an Indian city, showcasing the importance of video and audio integration in public safety initiatives.
The shift to cloud-based surveillance
As cloud technology becomes more widely adopted, the video surveillance market is shifting toward hybrid cloud solutions that combine the advantages of edge, cloud, and on-premises systems. This flexibility allows businesses to meet specific operational needs while benefiting from the scalability and efficiency of cloud-based solutions.
Vivotek's VORTEX cloud service is designed to help users seamlessly transition to cloud-based surveillance. “VORTEX provides intelligent and easy-to-use data analysis services to customers,” explained Hsieh.
The service's hybrid cloud architecture enables video data to be stored and analyzed directly within the camera via edge computing, with backup stored in the cloud. This reduces the bandwidth and storage limitations that have traditionally posed challenges for large-scale video surveillance systems.
Axis Communications is also leveraging hybrid cloud technologies to enhance its video surveillance offerings.
“5G enables real-time data transmission, facilitating integration between edge and cloud analytics, which is crucial for instant insights in smart city applications like traffic management and emergency response,” said Mansard.
Axis’s new Camera Station VMS allows customers to process information across cloud, edge, and on-premises, providing the flexibility needed to adapt to different operational requirements.
Addressing data privacy and cybersecurity concerns
With the increasing reliance on cloud-based video surveillance, concerns around data privacy and cybersecurity have come to the forefront. Both Vivotek and Axis Communications are taking proactive steps to ensure their systems remain secure and compliant with regional regulations.
Hsieh emphasized that “ensuring the safety and security of data is our company’s priority.”
The company’s VORTEX platform uses advanced encryption, key-encrypted SD cards, and industry-standard compliance measures to protect data across the network, cloud, and hardware. The company also monitors for vulnerabilities and addresses security issues proactively, ensuring that its platform remains robust against emerging threats.
Axis Communications takes a similar approach, with Mansard highlighting the importance of “privacy by design” in cloud-based surveillance solutions.
“Features like privacy shields can mask sensitive areas in footage, helping customers in healthcare, schools, and businesses comply with legal requirements,” Mansard said.
On the cybersecurity front, Axis is preparing for future threats, such as those posed by quantum computing, by implementing quantum-resistant encryption and adopting a Zero Trust security model.
“Balancing compliance, security, and efficiency is crucial for protecting data in cloud-based surveillance systems,” Mansard added.
Future challenges and opportunities
While the video surveillance market in Asia is poised for continued growth, several challenges lie ahead. Data privacy, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance will remain key concerns as more countries adopt stricter laws governing the use of video surveillance technologies.
Companies anticipates challenges around regulatory and compliance issues, cybersecurity risks, and infrastructure limitations in the coming years. However, they believe that these challenges also present opportunities for innovation, particularly in the development of secure, scalable solutions that can meet the diverse needs of the region.
Axis Communications also expects the regulatory landscape to evolve, with countries in Asia possibly adopting stricter AI regulations following Europe’s lead.
“As regulations evolve, we anticipate key challenges in the Asian video surveillance market over the next 2-3 years, but our proactive approach aims to ensure compliance and build trust across the ecosystem,” said Mansard.
Conclusion
As we look at 2024 and beyond, the video surveillance market in Asia is at a pivotal moment. With AI-driven video analytics, hybrid cloud solutions, and smart city projects driving growth, the demand for intelligent, connected surveillance systems will only increase.
However, the challenges of data privacy, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance will require companies to innovate continuously and remain adaptable.
For industry leaders like Vivotek and Axis Communications, the focus remains on providing flexible, scalable solutions that address both operational needs and security concerns. By leveraging AI, cloud technologies, and robust security frameworks, these companies have to be positioned to meet the evolving demands of the market and contribute to a more secure, efficient, and connected Asia.
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