It’s that time again when the PSi Panel of experts give us their predictions for the year ahead. Do you agree with their opinions on the issues that may affect the security and fire sector in 2026?
Mark Brookes – Gunnebo Safe Storage
The security sector is being shaped by increasing connectivity, rising data volumes and a more complex risk and legislative environment. One of the most significant developments is the ongoing integration into wider digital ecosystems.
Evolving technologies such as access control, locking solutions and detection systems are generating more actionable data, supporting compliance, operational oversight and faster decision making. While adoption remains uneven across sectors, early rollouts are already showing improvements in efficiency and situational awareness.
Artificial intelligence is becoming more established, particularly in areas such as anomaly detection, predictive maintenance and the automation of routine processes.
There is growing recognition that intelligence does not need to sit solely within centralised cloud platforms. Edge computing and hybrid architectures that combine local processing with cloud-based analysis are increasingly seen as a practical way to balance responsiveness, resilience and scalability. Real time events can be handled locally, while the cloud supports remote monitoring, trend analysis and longer-term planning.
Despite the focus on digital capability, physical security will remain a critical foundation rather than a secondary consideration. As systems become more connected, the impact of physical breaches, insider threats or environmental failures becomes more significant. Robust physical barriers continue to provide protection when digital controls are compromised or unavailable, supporting business continuity and regulatory confidence across sectors such as finance, healthcare and critical infrastructure.
Regulatory and standards compliance will continue to grow, evolve and gain further importance. As connectivity increases, organisations face greater responsibility to demonstrate both physical and digital measures meet evolving legal and industry requirements.
This includes The Cyber Resilience Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/2847) and similar pieces of regulatory legislation which will impose much stricter requirements on the robustness of connected systems.
Keeping pace with standards, audit expectations and governance frameworks will remain a challenge, particularly for organisations operating across multiple regions or regulatory environments.
There is a growing need for measured decision making as technology options expand. Not every system or dataset is suitable for cloud deployment, and organisations are increasingly required to assess where local control remains essential. Clear objectives linked to compliance, reliability, sustainability and operational performance can help ensure technology investments deliver practical outcomes rather than added complexity.
One of the main hopes for the sector is integration continues in a balanced, sustainable and responsible way, strengthening security without eroding resilience. A key concern remains the increasing complexity of systems, alongside ongoing cybersecurity risks and skills shortages, which place additional pressure on organisations and professionals responsible for managing them.
Brian Sofley – Assa Abloy Door Group
As we look back on 2025, it’s clear that the security and fire sector has entered a new era of accountability. The practical rollout of the Building Safety Act has had a profound impact on how security systems are specified, installed, documented and maintained.
The concept of the golden thread of information has moved firmly from guidance into day-to-day operational reality, placing far greater emphasis on traceable product data, verified performance and long-term compliance.
Throughout 2025, we’ve seen a shift in attitudes from clients and specifiers. Security systems are no longer viewed as standalone components, but as integral, safety-critical elements of a building’s overall risk strategy.
This has driven stronger demand for certified solutions, digitally supported audit trails and greater clarity around installer competence and ongoing maintenance responsibilities. At the same time, persistent skills shortages and cost pressures have continued to challenge consistent delivery across the sector.
Looking ahead to 2026, I expect digital compliance to become fully embedded within security and fire. We will see increased integration between access control, fire door hardware, life-safety systems and wider building management platforms, supported by reliable, shareable data. This will allow building owners to manage risk more effectively across the entire lifecycle of an asset, rather than reacting to issues after occupation.
My hope for 2026 is that the industry fully embraces this data-led approach, not simply to satisfy regulatory requirements but to genuinely improve safety outcomes for occupants.
My main concern remains inconsistency, particularly where competence, installation quality and maintenance regimes are concerned, alongside continuing supply chain uncertainty.
However, with sustained collaboration between manufacturers, installers and end users, I believe the security and fire sector is well placed to meet these challenges and continue to raise standards.
Mike Isherwood – System Q
In terms of technology, 2026 will see integration become non-negotiable as customers increasingly reject juggling separate apps for alarms, CCTV, and smart home control. Also, wireless transmission will mature significantly. Running cables through finished buildings remains installers’ biggest headache, yet many remain sceptical of wireless solutions.
Martyn’s Law preparation will dominate the commercial sector. With April 2027 enforcement approaching, venues will urgently need communication systems for evacuation, invacuation, and lockdown, distinct from fire alarms.
That manufacturers prioritise genuine innovation over rebadging. The UK security industry has tremendous design talent so let’s showcase it rather than importing generic solutions. I’d love to see more products born from installer feedback, solving real installation challenges.
Skills shortages worry me most. When thousands of venues simultaneously require security upgrades, qualified installers will be stretched impossibly thin. Rushed installations mean compromised safety.
I’m also concerned about fire and security system convergence. Lockdown procedures must never compromise life safety, yet proper separation protocols are frequently overlooked. Getting this wrong has fatal consequences.
John Oliver – HKC Security
I expect to see a significant acceleration in system convergence across the security and fire sector in 2026. Where intruder alarms, video systems, access control and fire protection have traditionally been used separately, the direction is now towards fully integrated platforms. End users increasingly want simplicity and unified management, and technology that is advanced enough to support this at scale.
Another emerging trend will be the introduction of AI driven functionality into both intruder and fire applications. Early use cases are likely to focus on pattern and behaviour prediction and more accurate event filtering.
While these technologies are still in their early stages in this sector, they offer potential for improving reliability and reducing false activations as long as they are implemented responsibly and with compliance in mind.
In terms of the year ahead, one of the major concerns is the upcoming Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), which comes into force in 2027. Although the intent of the legislation is clear, many practical implications for manufacturers, installers and the broader supply chain are still uncertain.
Understanding how compliance will be measured and how responsibilities will be divided remains a key question. Greater clarity will be essential to ensure that the sector can plan effectively and maintain momentum.
My hope for 2026 is that the industry continues to build positively on its current trajectory of innovation. If organisations stay focused on transparent standards and well managed convergence, 2026 has the potential to be a year of meaningful progress for both security and fire safety.
Read the full article in the January 2026 edition of PSi magazine
