Next-generation (Next-Gen) technologies are products, services, or infrastructures that represent a significant leap forward rather than a small, incremental update. In the physical security industry, NextGen products are those that enable disruptive change, breakthrough performance, and a fundamental change that renders previous products obsolete. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the next generation of physical security solutions, and how will they change the industry?

Emphasising proactive rather than reactive security shifts the focus from dealing with crises and damage control to prevention. Advantages of a proactive approach include cost efficiency, better business continuity, and fewer crises that draw attention away from strategic improvements. Staying ahead of threats is a core mission of the security department, and technology has evolved to enable security professionals to deliver on that mission better than ever. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How are security systems transitioning from reactive to proactive, and what is the benefit?

Multiple technology trends are transforming the physical access control market. There is a fundamental shift away from physical cards and keys toward digital identities — mobile credentials, digital wallets, biometrics, and cloud-native access platforms. These next generation access solutions are radically reshaping how buildings operate, protect staff, and perform functionally. At the same time, AI and analytics solutions are being layered onto these physical access control systems to support predictive threat detection and behavioural insights. Access data itself is becoming an asset for sustainability, space optimisation, and smart building initiatives. Risk, impact operations and experience The annual HID Global Security and Identity Trends Report highlights these and other issues The annual HID Global Security and Identity Trends Report highlights these and other issues. The survey cites improving user convenience as a priority for nearly half of organisations, while 41% are focused on simplifying administration, and 28% struggle with system integration. These are not theoretical challenges, they are day‑to‑day friction points that add cost, increase risk, impact operations and experience, and, of course, must be addressed. HID Global’s commercial focus HID Global’s commercial focus is to help organisations digitise their access control — with mobile identities, biometrics, and cloud platforms — and then to use the data to deliver more value. “We are turning access control from an operational cost into a software-driven asset that improves efficiency, supports Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals and even creates new revenue opportunities,” says Steven Commander, HID Global’s Head of Consultant Relations. The impact of digital transformation Digital transformation is the method of moving access control from hardware and physical credentials Digital transformation is in the process of moving access control from hardware and physical credentials to a software-driven, integrated experience. The transformation strengthens security while also improving user convenience — transforming the “pavement to the desk” journey. HID enables this shift through mobile credentials, biometrics, cloud-native platforms, and solutions that allow third-party applications to run on door hardware. “This helps customers turn access data into operational and commercial outcomes, while also improving the overall user experience,” says Commander.  Digital transformation in access control is not focused on chasing the latest trends. Rather, transformation is about turning software, data and integration into outcomes that matter to customers, says HID. “Security becomes stronger and more adaptive,” says Commander. “Operations become simpler and more cost‑effective. Experiences become seamless and consistent. Sustainability moves from ambition to action. And the financial case becomes clearer as efficiencies are banked and new value streams emerge.” The challenge of futureproofing with long lifecycles Given that physical security technologies will be in place for 15 to 20 years, it is important to plan for how systems can evolve over time. Considering how rapidly security threats, compliance standards, and user expectations change, 15 to 20 years is a long time. The decisions made at the beginning of a system’s lifecycle can either limit flexibility later (which will be costly) or enable long-term adaptability. Support for open standards such as Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) is therefore important Choosing products and platforms that are open, interoperable, and designed for updates can enable future-proof projects. Support for open standards such as Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) is therefore important.  In addition, systems built on open controller platforms — such as Mercury — enable organisations to switch software providers or expand functionality without replacing core door hardware. Architectural openness is key to system lifecycles and maximising the return on investment (ROI) from a chosen solution. Digital credentials and mobile access Flexibility and upgradeability should also be top of mind when it comes to endpoints like access control readers. While RFID cards are still commonplace, there is a clear trend toward digital credentials and mobile access. Readers that support both allow organisations to transition at their own pace, without committing to a full system overhaul. A long system lifecycle does not mean technology should remain static. Security, particularly cybersecurity, demands more frequent updates. Technologies that support firmware upgrades in the field extend the value of a deployment while helping organisations keep pace with emerging threats. In that sense, lifecycle thinking is not just about longevity — it’s about maintaining resilience and readiness over time. Applying biometrics and mobile identities Biometrics is becoming mainstream as a credential alternative, strengthening security without adding friction Biometrics is becoming mainstream as a credential alternative, strengthening security without adding friction. Many organisations are now deploying biometrics to support fast, seamless access journeys, with adoption already around 39% in access control according to HID’s recent research.  In addition, 80% of organisations surveyed expect to deploy mobile identities within the next five years. Full technology integration enables tap‑to‑access without opening an app; the user journey becomes faster, safer, and more convenient. “It is where the industry is headed and we are at the vanguard of this,” says Commander.    Ongoing challenge of cybersecurity At HID Global, cybersecurity is embedded into everything, from corporate processes and development practices to the solutions they bring to market. “Our approach ensures that customers can strengthen their overall security posture, not only by deploying secure products but by benefitting from HID’s commitment to the highest industry standards,” says Commander. HID holds multiple globally recognised certifications, including ISO 27001, ISO 14298, SOC Type 2 and CSA STAR, which demonstrate their robust information security and cloud security practices. In addition, HID’s SEOS® secure chipset is independently SEAL-certified, providing one of the most advanced levels of protection available on the market today. “Ultimately, this means organisations are not just purchasing isolated secure products; they are implementing solutions developed and delivered within a comprehensive, cybersecure framework,” says Commander. “When deployed according to best practices, HID solutions enable customers to achieve the highest levels of resilience against evolving physical and cyber threats.” Developing green and sustainable solutions A huge amount of waste is generated from the manufacture of plastic RFID access cards Digital credentials align with the sustainable solutions that everyone wants. A huge amount of waste is generated from the manufacture of plastic RFID access cards. Over 550 million access cards are sold annually. This creates 2,700 tons of plastic waste and 11,400 tons of carbon, based on a PVC card weighing 5 grams.  Therefore, digital credentials self-evidently reduce the reliance on plastic cards (helping reduce carbon emissions by up to 75% according to HID’s research), while leveraging access control system data supports energy optimisation by shutting down or reducing systems in unused spaces. Energy use and CO₂ emissions can be cut dramatically, showing how access systems can contribute to sustainability goals and green building certification. What is the latest in smart buildings? Smart buildings increasingly rely on mobile access control as the backbone for digital services. Real-time access data enables new services such as automated room bookings, HVAC control, lift/elevator calling, e-bike hiring, and so on. Smart buildings increasingly rely on mobile access control as the backbone for digital services The financial upside is clear; smart, digitally transformed buildings can deliver around 8% higher yields per square foot versus traditional office space. Operational savings accrue from reduced administration, the removal of card production and shipping, and lighter IT support. This creates a value cycle — better experiences drive adoption, adoption fuels monetisation, and monetisation funds further improvements. Achieving technology impact in the real world One standout project is One Bangkok – a $3.9 billion mixed used development in Thailand – which demonstrates the scale of what can be achieved when access control data is used for optimisation, particularly when it comes to monitoring facilities usage and occupier behaviours. By switching lights off or lowering the temperature in unused rooms, for example, the One Bangkok building demonstrates this potential with a 22% reduction in energy consumption, saving 17,000 MWh and 9,000 tons of CO₂ annually.  Sustainability is a key factor in contributing to how properties are valued. And sustainability extends far beyond digital credentials having a lower environmental impact than plastic cards.  Buildings with recognised sustainability certifications often command rental premiums of around 6%, and three‑quarters of security decision‑makers now consider environmental impact in their procurement assessments.

ISC West 2025 in Las Vegas showcased the latest advancements in security technology, offering security professionals a glimpse into the future of the industry. This year's expo highlighted the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and enhanced integration. The pioneering comprehensive and converged security event attracted nearly 29,000 industry professionals to the Venetian Convention Centre.  Integration into unified platforms Several companies emphasised the importance of cloud-based solutions and the integration of diverse security components into unified platforms. For example, Brivo's Security Suite provides “everything in one platform” – not just access control. Customers only pay for what they use because the system is flexible and scalable from a single door to enterprise level applications. Brivo’s suite includes video, but the system can also tie in with third-party “partners.” Genetec's Security Centre allows for more frequent updates through the cloud. Milestone is undergoing a two-year transition to bring its Xprotect system into the future by incorporating Arcules and Briefcam into a video-as-a service product. Suprema introduced BioStar X, which integrates access control and video analytics into a single platform. AI and mobile credentials  Axis Communications’ Cloud Connect product announced three new partnerships at ISC West 2025 Axis Communications’ Cloud Connect product announced three new partnerships at ISC West – Eagle Eye Networks, SecuriThings, and Wesco. They join the three partners announced during the first year of Axis Cloud Connect – Genetec, Kone (elevators) and Milestone. AI and mobile credentials were still hot topics at ISC West 2025, but the conversation has evolved beyond amazement at the technologies’ capabilities and now centres on more practical aspects. From the theoretical to the practical “AI and mobility are still the ‘flavors de jour,’ but messages are evolving to manifest AI for better outcomes,” says Heather Torrey, General Manager, Commercial Security, Americas, for Honeywell Building Automation. The company has reframed its security portfolio to be very building- and business-focused, continuing to grow and evolve after the recent acquisition of LenelS2. “From the theoretical to the practical, we want customers to be part of the conversation so we can deliver AI that is meaningful to them, focusing on what’s most important,” says Torrey. Under Honeywell’s new ownership structure, “each part of the business can be more focused on customers’ needs,” she says. Honeywell continues its journey around mobile access and credentialing and migrating to cloud solutions. Innovations in Access Control Gallagher’s new Quickswitch access control board simplifies the migration from legacy systems Access control remains a critical component of security systems, and ISC West 2025 showcased several innovations in this area. Acre is releasing “Gallery,” its version of the App Store for access control. DormaKaba is launching the Keyscan KC Series door controller with TCP/IP connectivity and enhanced features. Gallagher’s new Quickswitch access control board simplifies the migration from legacy systems. Johnson Controls highlighted its C-Cure command centre and C-Cure IQ web client, offering a unified approach to access control and video. Hardware integrations for security panels For service provider Alarm.com, hardware products prepare a path to greater customer experiences, says Abe Kinney, Alarm.com’s Director, Product Management, who oversees hardware integrations for security panels, sensors, video, etc., and drives new product development. “We are looking to bridge the physical world to digital world,” he says. “We want to bring an advantage to our dealers that they can bring to customers.” Because Alarm.com’s customers pay a monthly fee, the products must be durable and economical, says Kinney. “It should work with no need for truck rolls.” The importance of longevity and flexibility Products are evaluated based on features, price, and ease of installation Products are evaluated based on features, price, and ease of installation. In particular, longevity is important for the Alarm.com’s pro channel. There is also a growing emphasis on deterrence industrywide. Says Kinney: “We recognise that detection is part of it, but we need to prevent problems from happening in the first place. And the industry is re-evaluating.” When it comes to cloud intelligence, Eagle Eye Networks puts the emphasis on flexibility. They offer AI that can perform anywhere on the system infrastructure, on the camera, on their on-site bridge device, or in the cloud. They support their own AI and also any AI product from a third party. “We focus on what customers want from the data AI detects,” says Hans Kahler, Eagle Eye Networks’ Chief Operating Officer. Integration with other systems A timely alert from gun detection could save a life, but AI can also generate information that might be used and analysed later, such as point-of-sale information, dwell time, foot traffic, etc. “What people want is the ability to work with the data for business intelligence,” says Kahler. Integration with other systems provides new opportunities for customers: For example, a licence plate reader at a restaurant drive-thru could trigger customisation of the menu board digital signage based on the customer’s previous buying pattern. Relentless Innovation Assa Abloy handles more than 40 million SKUs for all its various brands, faked in 28 factories in the US Assa Abloy handles more than 40 million stock keeping units (SKUs) for all its various brands manufactured in 28 factories in the United States. Merely complying with regulations such as the “Buy American Act” is a monumental effort considering the massive product line, attendees heard at Assa Abloy’s Annual ISC West Breakfast focusing on compliance challenges in the security market. Meanwhile, back at the trade show booth, Assa Abloy focused on “relentless innovation” in every corner of its product line. Assa Abloy’s message: Innovation in security does not have to be about AI or automation. In fact, inventive approaches to products come in all shapes and sizes and at every level of the product portfolio, and innovation is happening faster than ever. For example, the Safebolt product from Securitech, a brand recently acquired by Assa Abloy, can quickly lock down existing doors with the press of a red button on a cylindrical or mortise lock. Temporary Systems to Secure Events Securing events is the focus of Allied Universal's Unified Command Solutions, which specialises in setting up temporary security systems for conventions, trade shows, festivals, construction sites, parades, and other events. They can add technology to situations where previously mostly security officers were used, providing safety/security and enabling more efficient event operation.  “We can put cameras anywhere, whether they need power or not, use cell service or WiFi, a localised network or the internet, or whatever,” says Andrew LaMadrid, VP, Sales for Allied Universal's Unified Command Solutions. Event operation and management IDIS came to ISC West looking to leverage new products that they did not promote in the past The focus is on easy implementation, flexibility, and fast setup and removal. “We look for a solution to solve each customer’s pain points,” says LaMadrid. They specialise in setting up and deploying surveillance cameras for safety/security and for event operation and management. Mobile surveillance is a relatively new “piece of our puzzle” when it comes to protecting high-profile events. “People are excited about what we can offer that’s new,” says LaMadrid. Unified Command Solutions has been around for about 12 years and was acquired by Allied Universal last summer. IDIS came to ISC West looking to leverage new products that they did not promote in the past, and visitors were very interested in those solutions, says Scott Switzer, IDIS CEO. “The progression of our product line has been tremendous,” he says. Last year, the IDIS booth offered only basic analytics, but this year they had 30 different advanced analytics including gun and aggression detection using the advanced solution “IDIS Vaidio AI.”  What Makes You Different? The most common question IDIS hears at their trade show booth is: “What makes you different?” The answer: They offer an end-to-end solution, including cameras; they manage, control, design from end-to-end; and there is no need for multiple integrations. The time needed to install an IDIS system is significantly less because of the simplicity. “We have customers we have supported and grown together for over 20 years,” says Switzer. The company previously deployed IDIS cameras under the Costar brand before the Korean IDIS brand was introduced into the U.S. (IDIS purchased Costar and changed the name to IDIS America.) “This has been a tremendous show for us; we are looking to build our momentum and let more people know about IDIS,” says Switzer. Managing real AI at the edge The depth of their metadata enables new applications, whether for security or business operations Based in Prague, Czech Republic, and with U.S. offices in Pennsylvania, FF Group provides licence plate recognition for harsh environments. Using Axis cameras, they offer “managed real AI at the edge,” selling through a nationwide distributed network, says Alex Osypov, CEO and Founder of FF Group. Markets include parking lots, cities/municipalities, police, government, water systems, etc. The depth of their metadata enables new applications, whether for security or business operations. They are looking to combine and correlate data including LIDAR, RADAR, etc. to exploit the advantages of “data fusion.” Osypov says: “The market is growing because we are involving other adjacent markets.” Unified platforms and advanced tools Several companies are focusing on enhancing security operations centres (SOCs) by providing unified platforms and advanced tools. Axon’s Fusus system “layers” onto existing infrastructure, tying together various sensors into a single interface for real-time monitoring and information sharing. Increasingly, enterprises have invested in a lot of technologies – ac, video, asset trackers – but none of it talks together. Fusus ties all the systems together so that operators no longer have to look at 10 different screens. Rather, there is a “single pane of glass” that shows everything and facilitates sharing of information with law enforcement.  Motorola also showcased its Security Operations Centre, which integrates hardware, software, smart sensors, communication radios, and broadband devices to streamline incident management.

VIPRE Security Group, a global pioneer in cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection, announced a new integration with Microsoft Defender for Office 365.  The collaboration brings VIPRE Integrated Email Security (IES)—its advanced, cloud-based detection engine for identifying malicious and suspicious email activity—directly into Microsoft’s ecosystem, providing organisations with stronger, unified protection. Email secuirty The integration brings VIPRE IES AI-powered detection for phishing and Business Email Compromise (BEC), along with proven email security expertise, directly into Microsoft Defender. It ends the sprawl of scattered consoles, inconsistent alerts, and fragmented quarantines, offering organisations a single, unified view of their email security posture. As phishing kits become more accessible, scam emails become more convincing, and advanced social engineering attacks slip past traditional filters, organisations need layered defenses to protect themselves. But that often brings complexity. This integration delivers both layered protection and simplicity: Microsoft’s global intelligence and scale paired with VIPRE’s AI-driven detection that surfaces the intent behind malicious emails.  Customers get:  Defense in depth in a unified view inside Microsoft Defender A single quarantine for both Microsoft and VIPRE detections Consolidated dashboards and consistent reporting Faster, clearer operations Layered defenses without added overhead Detection VIPRE’s detection engines zero in on emotional cues, behavioural manipulation, and subtle language tactics used in modern phishing and BEC scams. Combined with Microsoft’s native protections, organisations get a sharper, more adaptive defense against the payload-less and human-targeted attacks dominating today’s threat landscape. Integration availability The VIPRE IES integration is now available to  Microsoft Defender for Office 365 P2 customers, with no additional infrastructure, agents, or complex deployment steps required. Once enabled through the Microsoft Defender for Office 365  ICES Vendor Ecosystem, VIPRE IES becomes natively accessible within the Microsoft Defender portal, surfacing its detections into the same unified SOC experience. Microsoft’s vendor ecosystem for Defender for Microsoft 365 introduces a modern extensibility layer that allows security vendors like VIPRE to contribute intelligence, detections, and response actions inside Microsoft’s native SOC tools. The integration is available to organisations licensed for Microsoft Defender for Office 365 P2  and subscribing to VIPRE IES. To learn more about how VIPRE IES strengthens phishing and BEC defenses inside Microsoft Defender for Office 365—or to request a technical demonstration—visit the company website. Expert inisght “VIPRE’s specialised detection technology brings a unique layer of insight to the Microsoft ecosystem, helping customers stop the kinds of sophisticated phishing and BEC attacks that often evade traditional filters. We’re proud to be a trusted vendor within Microsoft’s ICES ecosystem and to contribute our deep email security expertise to strengthen protection for millions of Microsoft 365 users worldwide,” says Usman Choudhary, General Manager, VIPRE Security Group.

VAST Data, the AI Operating System company, announced the availability of VAST Foundation Stacks, a new open source library that augments and extends NVIDIA AI Blueprints into production-ready pipeline implementations that run natively on the VAST AI Operating System. NVIDIA AI Blueprints NVIDIA AI Blueprints provide developers with a foundational starting point for building advanced AI applications and intelligent agents, leveraging NVIDIA AI Enterprise software to rapidly prototype, customise, and deploy domain-specific AI workflows with minimal integration effort. VAST Foundation stacks extend these blueprints into production-ready templates, enabling organisations to deploy and operate NVIDIA-powered pipelines natively on the VAST AI Operating System. Developers can now focus on the business logic that connects AI to their environment instead of assembling the underlying infrastructure and platform layers required to support it, enabling teams to deliver AI applications faster. Enterprises are racing to operationalise proven AI patterns, but many reference examples still require extensive integration before they can run securely and reliably in production. Teams often must stitch together fragmented infrastructure, orchestration layers and data services to make these AI applications production-ready. VAST AI operating system VAST Foundation stacks address this challenge by extending NVIDIA AI Blueprints into repeatable, enterprise-ready implementations designed to run natively on the VAST AI operating system. By unifying data access, database services, compute orchestration, eventing, and pipeline execution in a single environment, VAST enables organisations to deploy scalable AI pipelines without building complex infrastructure from scratch.  These Foundation stacks can be seamlessly and repeatedly deployed anywhere the VAST AI OS runs, including in the cloud as well as on-premises via VAST's newly announced CNode-X platforms, as part of the NVIDIA AI Data Platform reference design.  Foundations stacks The first Foundation Stacks are based on NVIDIA AI Blueprints for Video Search and Summarisation (VSS) and NVIDIA AI-Q: The VSS-based VAST Foundation stack enables organisations to ingest massive volumes of live or archived video and extract insights through semantic indexing, summarisation, and interactive Q&A, powered by the high-performance data and pipeline services of the VAST AI Operating System.  The AI-Q based VAST Foundation stack provides a foundation for building custom AI researchers that can operate across private, enterprise data sources, synthesising hours of research in minutes while leveraging the VAST AI OS for persistent and secure context, scalable reasoning pipelines, and trusted agent execution. Expert insights “NVIDIA AI Blueprints have given the market an important starting point for building next-generation applications, but enterprises still need a production-ready way to deploy and operate those capabilities at scale,” said John Mao, Vice President, Global Technology Alliances at VAST Data. “With VAST Foundation Stacks, VAST is taking the architectural patterns behind leading NVIDIA Blueprints and giving customers a faster path from experimentation to production for scalable AI pipelines, video intelligence, and agentic AI systems.” “As enterprises transition to production AI at scale, preparing enterprise data for AI has become one of the biggest challenges,” said Adel El Hallak, Vice President, Product at NVIDIA. “Turning data into AI-ready pipelines needs to be done continuously and requires full-stack acceleration across compute, networking and software. By extending NVIDIA AI Blueprints with the VAST AI Operating System, customers can prepare and serve data so intelligent agents are always working off the most recent and accurate information.” Releasing stacks In addition to the available VSS and AI-Q implementations, VAST plans to release additional Foundation stacks in the coming months, including industry-focused examples.  VAST Foundation stacks will be available through a public GitHub repository, with interactive demos and planned sandbox environments for customers and partners.

Abnormal AI, the pioneer in AI-native behavioural security, announces the launch of Attune 1.0, a behavioural foundation model for cybersecurity. Trained on more than one billion derived behavioural signals, Attune now powers 85%1 of detections across the Abnormal Behaviour Platform and establishes a shared intelligence layer for the company’s expanding security portfolio. Communication is how organisations build trust. Today, that trust is being weaponised by attackers using AI to launch campaigns that are highly personalised for each and every target. This evolution requires defenders to assume that every attack is a novel attack. Static threat intelligence Traditional security tools, which rely on rules and static threat intelligence, are struggling to keep pace with this shift. Attune 1.0 addresses this by bringing together Abnormal’s eight years of behavioural understanding into a single, unified model that is easier to manage and improve. "Attackers are leveraging AI to imitate trusted behaviour so convincingly that static rules and threat feeds struggle in the era of AI-driven attacks," said Evan Reiser, CEO and Co-Founder of Abnormal AI. "Attune 1.0 is how we close that gap—with a behavioural foundation model that understands normal organisational communication patterns. It gives customers a single intelligence layer that understands known good behaviour, catches what isn’t, and strengthens every product we ship as part of the Abnormal Behaviour Platform.” Unified multimodal architecture Unlike earlier detection systems that treated identity, behaviour, and content as separate signals, Attune 1.0 utilises a unified multimodal architecture. By learning these modalities jointly, the model better understands how signals reinforce or contradict one another to reveal patterns that attackers work hardest to hide. From inception, Abnormal has focused on knowing what’s normal in customers’ environments, enabling it to detect and block novel, AI-driven attacks when a deviation in behaviour is found. Key milestones of the Attune 1.0 milestone include: Efficacy Gains at Scale: Trained on large-scale behavioural signals, Attune is already detecting approximately 150,000 more attack campaigns per week than earlier systems, catching highly sophisticated messages that were previously undetectable.  Higher Precision: By training on a larger volume of diverse data, the model delivers 50% higher precision compared to earlier systems. Stopping Novel Attack Campaigns: Attune recently identified and blocked a novel Microsoft Teams OAuth phishing campaign two months before it was publicly documented. Platform-Wide Intelligence: Attune already powers 85% of detections across the Abnormal Behaviour Platform, providing higher precision and fewer false positives. This foundation establishes a shared behavioural layer across email, identity, and account takeover protection, catching more lateral attacks to better secure the entire employee lifecycle. Attune 1.0 is Generally Available today.  Natural language descriptions With the release of Attune 1.0, Abnormal continues on its promise of delivering a powerful, automated AI engine designed to prevent modern email-based attacks. Alongside this automation, Abnormal is delivering greater visibility and control, so customers can understand the platform’s autonomous detections and fine-tune them when needed: Detection 360 Insights (GA): Provides visibility into the behavioural reasoning behind every AI determination, helping analysts understand exactly why a message was flagged. Custom AI Models (Early Access): Enables security teams to influence and control the AI by defining environment-specific patterns using simple natural language descriptions. This allows users to influence and augment the AI specific to their environment. Actual simulation interactions Abnormal is also delivering updates for AI Phishing Coach, transforming how organisations manage the human element of security and best train their employees. Abnormal is replacing one-size-fits-all compliance training with an automated, AI-driven system that helps turn real-world threats into personalised coaching. As the underlying behavioural layer within Abnormal improves, our ability to train on those results also improves: Phishing Risk Scoring (GA): Provides a continuously updated phishing-readiness signal based on actual simulation interactions, reporting activity, and training outcomes. BEC and VEC Simulations (GA): New simulation types, with data from the Abnormal relationship graph, mirror manager, colleague, and vendor interactions.

Rapid7, a pioneer in AI-powered managed cybersecurity operations, announced 2026 updates to its PACT Partner Program designed to strengthen alignment between Rapid7 and its partner ecosystem and accelerate scalable growth through the channel. Rapid7 has long believed that tight Go-to-Market (GTM) alignment with partners is essential to delivering customer outcomes. The 2026 program updates introduce new partner tier differentiation, simplified deal motions, and enhanced program economics to make it easier for partners and Rapid7 teams to engage customers together and deliver value faster. Enhanced program economics As demand for AI-integrated cybersecurity operations and outcome-driven cybersecurity solutions continues to grow, organisations increasingly rely on trusted partners to help implement and operationalise security programs. The 2026 PACT updates reinforce Rapid7’s commitment to building a highly aligned partner ecosystem, where shared engagement models, clear attribution, and predictable economics enable partners and Rapid7 teams to win together. “Partners are central to how we go to market,” said Suzanne Swanson, vice president of global channel partnerships at Rapid7. “Our focus is on building tight alignment across engagement models, economics, and execution so partners can grow with us and deliver meaningful outcomes for customers. The 2026 PACT updates make it simpler and more predictable for partners to build and scale their security practices with Rapid7.” Recurring security services The new PACT framework supports partners delivering MDR and other recurring security services where consistency and margin clarity are critical. Additional key updates to the program include: Platinum Partner Tier: Introduces a top-tier designation for strategic partners that consistently deliver outstanding performance, customer impact, and engagement. Updated Deal Motions: Aligns the program around two primary deal motions: Deal Registration for partner-sourced opportunities and Co-Sell for Rapid7-sourced opportunities. Earlier partner engagement and clearer attribution reduce ambiguity and simplify execution. Improved Program Economics: Offers more competitive partner economics for partner-sourced deals. Supported by simplified deal motions, product category alignment, and faster quoting, these enhancements deliver greater predictability and stronger margins. Tech Champion Program: Establishes a structured enablement and engagement framework for partner sales engineers, including early roadmap visibility and technical collaboration to strengthen alignment in complex MDR and exposure management opportunities. Exposure management opportunities Together, these updates reinforce Rapid7’s commitment to building a channel ecosystem defined by simplicity, accountability, and shared long-term growth. Saepio is one of Rapid7’s inaugural platinum partners. Paul Mullen, cybersecurity vendor manager at Saepio, commented: “Being recognised as a Rapid7 Platinum Partner is a milestone that reflects the strength of our partnership over the past 8-plus years. Our relationship with Rapid7 has always been built on more than business performance. It is grounded in a strong cultural alignment, a shared strategic direction, and mutual ambitions for continued growth.”

ZeroEyes, the creators of the first AI-based gun detection video analytics platform to earn full U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation, announced that its proactive AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness software has been deployed by Illinois’ Palestine Community Unit School District #3 to help protect students, staff, and visitors from gun-related threats. Safe and supportive learning environment Located in Palestine, Illinois, the district serves students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade and is committed to creating a caring community where students are educated and prepared for a successful future. With strong ties to local families and close collaboration with community partners, the district prioritises providing a safe and supportive learning environment. District leadership met with ZeroEyes multiple times to evaluate the technology and determine how it could strengthen existing safety measures. The deployment represents a proactive enhancement to the district’s security infrastructure, adding an advanced layer of protection designed to identify visible firearms before shots are fired. “The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority,” said Jessica Sisil, Superintendent of Palestine CUSD #3. “ZeroEyes was willing to work with us to implement a solution that enhances our safety efforts while remaining mindful of our resources. This partnership is an important step forward in protecting our school community.” ZeroEyes' AI gun detection ZeroEyes' AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness software layers onto existing digital security cameras. If a gun is identified, images are instantly shared with the ZeroEyes Operations Center (ZOC), the industry's only U.S.-based, fully in-house operation center, which is staffed 24/7/365 by specially trained U.S. military and law enforcement veterans. If these experts determine the threat is valid, they dispatch alerts and actionable intelligence — including visual description, gun type, and last known location — to law enforcement and school security teams as quickly as 3 to 5 seconds from detection. "Palestine CUSD #3 has taken a proactive, tactical approach to campus safety, protecting students and staff while maintaining a welcoming environment," said Mike Lahiff, CEO and co-founder of ZeroEyes. "We’re proud to provide technology that mitigates gun-related incidents with speed, accuracy and integrity."

St Martin’s School has completed a coordinated programme of security upgrades across its main buildings and sports hall, carried out by Amthal Fire & Security during the school holidays to avoid disruption to learning. About St. Martin's St Martin’s is an independent preparatory school in Northwood, educating around 400 boys from age 3 to 13. The school occupies a mix of newer and long-established buildings, and its growing facilities have led to increasing pressure on older infrastructure.  Facility teams called in Amthal to review if existing systems still met day-to-day operational needs, especially as usage patterns and safeguarding expectations had evolved. Technical guidance James Crewe, Estates and Facilities Manager at St Martin’s School, said: “Partnering with Amthal allowed us to review the security technology available and select solutions that suit the way our school operates. Their technical guidance helped ensure our upgrades reflect current best practices and meet the specific needs of different areas, from our main buildings to the sports hall, without unnecessary disruption to school activities.” Planning and risk assessments Planning and risk assessments began with a detailed review of how the estate functions throughout the week, examining access routes and layouts. This shifted the focus from simply replacing equipment to creating a bespoke integrated solution. Amthal focused on improving the consistency and reliability of security systems. Key upgrades included the installation of a Texecom intruder alarm system, enabling authorised staff to monitor the site remotely from any location and respond instantly to alerts.  All installation work was completed within the holiday window, followed by final testing and staff briefings before pupils returned. Plan, design and execute David Williamson, Business Development Manager at Amthal Fire & Security, added: “From initial design and specification, through installation and ongoing monitoring, we worked closely with the school to ensure the security systems meet their needs, with installation planned around learning timetables. The upgrades provide total protection, and with a coordinated maintenance schedule it demonstrates how a planned, collaborative approach can deliver practical, long-term security benefits for all who attend and teach at this school.”

Pioneer charity Samaritans has worked in partnership with Comelit-PAC and installer Red Technical Services Ltd to complete an upgrade to the fire safety system at its registered office in Ewell. The organisation, focused on suicide prevention through human connection, provides emotional support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. LogiFire wireless system To protect the staff who help make this possible at its central office services, Samaritans has replaced its ageing fire alarm with a new LogiFire solution designed to bring reliability, compliance, and reassurance. The charity required a system that could be installed quickly and efficiently, with minimal disruption to its vital operations. Following a detailed review of requirements, Comelit-PAC recommended the LogiFire wireless system, which combines the latest technology with straightforward operation. Says Anthony Borrow at Samaritans: “The safety of our staff and volunteers is always a priority. We needed a fire system upgrade that would bring us peace of mind while also being practical for our office environment. The process was made straightforward through the support of both Comelit-PAC and Red Technical Services, who worked with us from the outset to understand our needs and ensure a smooth installation.” Features and functions At the centre of the installation is a single LogiFire 118 panel configured as a wireless solution. To extend coverage across the office, the system incorporates four translators and wired interfaces linked with four door access points. Sounders, manual call points, and detectors were fitted throughout the building to ensure full compliance with fire safety standards. The system features cloud-based remote connectivity, enabling Samaritans’ facilities team and Comelit-PAC engineers to monitor and manage the fire safety network in real time from any location. Through a secure online platform, authorised users can receive instant alerts, check system status and carry out diagnostics without needing to be on site, ensuring a fast response to any issue. Easy installation Steve Hopkins, General Manager from Red Technical Services Ltd, added: “This project required careful planning to keep the office fully operational for their essential work during installation. The wireless design of the LogiFire panel meant we could phase the work efficiently, avoiding intrusive cabling and keeping downtime to an absolute minimum. Remote cloud access now allows engineers to run system checks, update configurations and respond to alerts immediately, which reduces maintenance costs and improves ongoing resilience.“ Planning the programme Delivering the upgrade required close collaboration between all parties. From the design and specification stage, Comelit-PAC worked alongside Red Technical Services Ltd to map out the system requirements and plan the works programme. This included site surveys, identifying the best equipment locations, and agreeing on installation phases to reduce disruption to the charity’s operations. Delivering reliable protection Mandy Bowden, Comelit-PAC Fire Systems Business Manager – UK & ROI, concluded: “Our priority was to design a fire safety system that delivers reliable protection and can adapt as Samaritans’ requirements change. Through close partnership, we carried out detailed surveys and planning to ensure the system fits the building and its operations precisely. The combination of wireless technology and secure cloud monitoring provides the flexibility to expand coverage, add new devices, or adjust settings as needed, all offering long-term confidence in the safety of staff and volunteers.”

ZeroEyes, the creators of the first AI-based gun detection video analytics platform to earn the full US Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation, announces that its AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness platform is being deployed by Dillon School District Four to protect students, faculty, and visitors against gun-related violence. Located in Dillon County, South Carolina, the school district serves approximately 3,800 students and employs more than 500 staff across six schools, including two high schools, one middle school, and multiple elementary schools serving Pre-K through fifth grade. One of two districts in the county, it places a strong emphasis on proactive safety and emergency preparedness. Multi-layered security approach Dillon School District Four purchased ZeroEyes with funds granted through Proviso 1.78 of the FY 2024-2025 Appropriations Act by the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) to make upgrades aligned with school safety priorities. Its ZeroEyes deployment will complement the district’s multilayered security approach, which includes metal detectors, shatterproof window film, handheld wands, two-way radios, and more. “Student and staff safety is not optional; it’s foundational,” said Douglas Ray Rogers, superintendent of Dillon School District Four. “We are committed to doing all we can, every day, to create a secure environment where learning and teaching can happen without fear, and we are excited to add ZeroEyes’ proactive gun-detection technology to this strategy.” Intelligent situational awareness ZeroEyes' AI gun detection and intelligent situational awareness software layers onto existing digital security cameras. If a gun is identified, images are instantly shared with the ZeroEyes Operations Center (ZOC), the industry's only U.S.-based, fully in-house operation centre, which is staffed 24/7/365 by specially trained U.S. military and law enforcement veterans. If these experts determine the threat is valid, they dispatch alerts and actionable intelligence — including visual description, gun type, and last known location — to law enforcement and school security teams as quickly as 3 to 5 seconds from detection. “By integrating advanced security technologies, Dillon School District Four is taking proactive steps to protect its students and staff with confidence,” said Mike Lahiff, CEO and co-founder of ZeroEyes. “We are honoured to be chosen to deploy our solutions throughout the district.”