
New Research from AXIS Communications Reveals Video Surveillance AI Perspectives

Helping Secure Tomorrow Today: The SIA Utilities Advisory Board’s Aims to Educate the Next Generation of Utility Security Leaders
Theft, Ballistic Threats & Explosives, Oh My! – Dominic Dillon & Curtis Marquardt

Security Industry Association to Host Perimeter PREVENT Event This June

Theft, Ballistic Threats & Explosives, Oh My!

Beyond Security: How Thermal Camera Technology Is Being Used to Monitor Critical Utility Components

Convergint and Deloitte Partner to Build Holistic Utility Security Solutions

Building the Bridge Between Physical and Information Technology

‘Data Is the New Oil’: Talking Utility Security With Axis Communications’ Scott Dunn and Convergint’s Steve Sinclair

Upcoming Chicago Symposium Offers Utility Security Professionals Key IT-OT Security Strategies & Insights
New Research from AXIS Communications Reveals Video Surveillance AI Perspectives
In the News
Helping Secure Tomorrow Today: The SIA Utilities Advisory Board’s Aims to Educate the Next Generation of Utility Security Leaders
Theft, Ballistic Threats & Explosives, Oh My! – Dominic Dillon & Curtis Marquardt
Security Industry Association to Host Perimeter PREVENT Event This June

Theft, Ballistic Threats & Explosives, Oh My!
Theft, Ballistic Threats & Explosives, Oh My!

Beyond Security: How Thermal Camera Technology Is Being Used to Monitor Critical Utility Components

Convergint and Deloitte Partner to Build Holistic Utility Security Solutions

Building the Bridge Between Physical and Information Technology

‘Data Is the New Oil’: Talking Utility Security With Axis Communications’ Scott Dunn and Convergint’s Steve Sinclair
Opinion
New Research from AXIS Communications Reveals Video Surveillance AI Perspectives

Helping Secure Tomorrow Today: The SIA Utilities Advisory Board’s Aims to Educate the Next Generation of Utility Security Leaders

Theft, Ballistic Threats & Explosives, Oh My! – Dominic Dillon & Curtis Marquardt

Security Industry Association to Host Perimeter PREVENT Event This June

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New Research from AXIS Communications Reveals Video Surveillance AI Perspectives
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New Research from AXIS Communications Reveals Video Surveillance AI Perspectives

Helping Secure Tomorrow Today: The SIA Utilities Advisory Board’s Aims to Educate the Next Generation of Utility Security Leaders
Theft, Ballistic Threats & Explosives, Oh My! – Dominic Dillon & Curtis Marquardt

Security Industry Association to Host Perimeter PREVENT Event This June

Theft, Ballistic Threats & Explosives, Oh My!

Beyond Security: How Thermal Camera Technology Is Being Used to Monitor Critical Utility Components

New Research from AXIS Communications Reveals Video Surveillance AI Perspectives
Axis Communications has released its latest research report, The State of AI in Video Surveillance, which explores global industry perspectives on the use of artificial intelligence in the security industry and beyond.
The report reveals current attitudes on AI technologies through in-depth interviews with AI experts from Axis’ global network and a comprehensive survey of more than 5,800 respondents, including distributors, channel partners and end customers across 68 countries. The resulting insights cover AI integration and the opportunities and challenges that exist regarding security, safety, business intelligence and operational efficiency.
Axis’ research found that 62% of partners identify “AI and generative AI” as one of the most significant trends shaping the industry’s future, compared with 34% of end customers. This positions AI as the top trend for partner businesses—tied with “cybersecurity, risk and privacy,” which also garnered 62%. Among end customers, however, AI ranks third, with “cybersecurity, risk and privacy” leading at 61%. Additionally, half of partner respondents highlighted “analytics and actionable insights” as a key trend, while 36% of end customers agreed.
“AI remains one of the most powerful and transformative technologies within the video surveillance industry today,” said Mats Thulin, director, AI & analytics solutions, Axis Communications. “This new research reveals that while there are significant opportunities for AI to improve safety and security alongside business intelligence and operational efficiency, there must be a focus on ethical implementation and meaningful integrations to drive continuous value.”
Overall, the focus on AI and analytics signals a growing industry understanding of the many benefits of AI adoption, including greater efficiency, improved decision-making and enhanced output quality. However, end customers consider cybersecurity, risk and privacy to be a higher priority when it comes to technology integration, which likely signals ongoing ethical and compliance-related concerns surrounding AI. Trust, responsibility and accountability will be critical if providers hope to lead customers toward greater AI integration.
Report Reveals 9 Key Insights About the Acceleration of Cloud and Edge AI to the Growing Use of Facial Recognition
Participants of the study collectively revealed these nine key insights relating to cloud and edge AI:
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AI adoption surges with differences between markets. Many view the technology as still growing, but recognize how it is evolving at different rates based on market and location.
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The transition to cloud and edge AI continues to accelerate. In a hunt for easier scalability and faster processing, more and more are viewing cloud and edge AI as crucial to those goals.
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Integration of diverse data is generating valuable insights. With the integration of diverse data sources, many believe this shift will fundamentally impact safety and security by providing a more comprehensive understanding of events.
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Growing use of facial recognition. Many predict that facial recognition will continue to gain traction globally. While they express concerns about the ethics of this, they also acknowledge that there are ways of using this technology that align with ethical standards.
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New opportunities for business intelligence and operational efficiency. Participants view AI integration as a means to empower network cameras to improve operations in a number of ways, including space optimization, people counting, asset tracking and more.
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AI integration challenges: bridging expectations and capabilities. Participants expressed concerns about the challenge of effectively combining the right tools and technologies to achieve the desired surveillance and detection results.
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Partnership and collaboration for effective and responsible AI integration. Participants emphasized the importance of partnering with organizations that align with the ethical challenges that may arise from implementing AI technologies.
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Navigating responsible AI. Interviewees expressed concerns that decisions made by AI systems could become biased or unreliable. They also reiterated concerns about the legal and ethical challenges of using these tools.
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The road ahead – future trends to watch. Participants acknowledged the difficulty in predicting future trends or solutions due to the rapid pace of technological development. However, they pointed to expectations of smarter AI pipelines and greater integration between AI and IoT sensors.
To read the full report, you can download it here.

Helping Secure Tomorrow Today: The SIA Utilities Advisory Board’s Aims to Educate the Next Generation of Utility Security Leaders
- Renewable energy integration: Solar farms, wind installations and battery storage systems that create new attack vectors and operational complexities.
- Distributed grid technologies: Microgrids and smart grid technologies that multiply connection points and potential vulnerabilities.
- High-demand computing infrastructure: AI data centers and cloud computing facilities that place unprecedented demands on power generation and distribution systems.
- Smart city integration: IoT devices, electric vehicle charging networks and integrated urban systems that expand the attack surface exponentially.
- Emerging technologies: Quantum computing infrastructure and next-generation communication systems that will reshape how utilities operate.
Threat Landscape Evolution
Modern utilities face a multi-vector threat environment that includes:- Nation-state actors targeting critical infrastructure for strategic advantage
- Ransomware groups seeking financial gain through operational disruption
- Insider threats from employees with legitimate access but malicious intent
- Physical attacks on substations and transmission infrastructure
- Supply chain vulnerabilities in hardware and software components
- Climate-related disasters that test resilience and recovery capabilities
Building a Utilities Advisory Board That Aligns With Strategic Foundations and Leadership Vision
The SIA Utilities Advisory Board emerged from a strategic recognition that the utility security sector required dedicated focus and specialized expertise. The Security Industry Association’s Board of Directors, under the visionary leadership of James Rothstein and with the full backing of CEO Don Erickson, identified a critical gap in industry support for emerging security professionals and the urgent need for systematic knowledge transfer. The board’s establishment represented more than organizational expansion — it signified a commitment to fostering innovation, sharing best practices and creating pathways for professional development in one of the most critical sectors of our economy.Leadership Selection and Expertise
Finding the right leader for this initiative required identifying someone with both depth of experience and breadth of perspective. After an extensive selection process, I was honored to accept the role of chair, bringing over three decades of comprehensive experience including:- Infrastructure design and construction: Deep understanding of electrical distribution systems from design through implementation
- SCADA and telecommunications: Expertise in the communication systems that form the nervous system of modern utilities
- Integrated security approach: Practical experience implementing both physical and cybersecurity measures across diverse facility types
- Global leadership: Management of international teams and cross-cultural security initiatives
- Digital transformation and product development: Leading strategic initiatives that drive technological advancement and business growth within manufacturing environments
- Consulting expertise: Orchestrating comprehensive security architecture solutions, including vulnerability assessments, risk analysis and innovative design methodologies specifically engineered for protecting critical infrastructure assets and operational continuity
- C-suite executives who understand the strategic implications of security decisions
- Business owners and entrepreneurs who bring innovation and real-world experience
- Hands-on practitioners with deep technical expertise in securing infrastructure
- Global perspectives from professionals experienced in international threat landscapes
- Academic and research leaders who contribute cutting-edge theory and practical application
Coming Together to Make an Impact Through Practical Solutions
To propel our mission, the UAB has implemented and continues to support several key initiatives:Bi-monthly Meetings
Our bi-monthly meetings follow a structured agenda designed to maximize collective expertise. Each session includes:- Threat intelligence sharing
- Technology assessments
- Regulatory updates
- Case study reviews
- Best practice development
Educational Impact and Industry Engagement
To support industry education, we have organized two lunch-and-learn sessions hosted annually at ISC West and ISC East. These highly anticipated events consistently sell out and provide actionable, practical guidance — a testament to the industry’s recognition of our mission’s importance.The NERC CIP Compliance Guide: Translating Complexity Into Action
One of our most significant achievements is the development of the Guide to NERC CIP Compliance, a comprehensive resource that simplifies complex regulatory requirements into actionable strategies. The guide was shaped by:- Former auditors
- Utility professionals
- Technology specialists
- Risk management experts
- Early warning of emerging threats
- Exposure to global security innovations
- Insights from other regulatory environments
- Cross-cultural security perspectives
Future-Focused Project Portfolio
Our current project portfolio includes:- Physical and cybersecurity integration
- Governance, risk and compliance (GRC) frameworks
- IT/OT collaboration
- Insider threat detection
- AI migration case studies
- Audit preparation
- Advanced threat modeling
- Cross-sector collaboration
- Technology integration
- Workforce development
- Research and development initiatives
- Cloud infrastructure
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Mobility solutions
- Advanced biometrics
- Drone and counter-drone systems
- Next-generation encryption
Join Our Mission
The SIA Utilities Advisory Board is seeking new members who bring:- Passion for critical infrastructure security
- Professional expertise
- Educational commitment
- Global insight
- An innovation mindset
In Conclusion: Securing Our Collective Future
The work of the SIA Utilities Advisory Board represents a commitment to securing the infrastructure that modern society depends on. By blending experience with forward-looking innovation, we are building a foundation for lasting security excellence. The challenges are real, but with collaboration, education and innovation, we can prepare future leaders to protect our infrastructure. The SIA Utilities Advisory Board is ready — and we invite you to join us. About the Author: Joey St. Jacques has built a distinguished 30-plus-year career in the critical infrastructure sector, demonstrating deep expertise in electrical utility security and strategic leadership. As chair of the SIA Utilities Advisory Board and a member of multiple industry boards, he leads initiatives that drive innovation, improve protective practices and shape educational programs for emerging security professionals across global markets.Theft, Ballistic Threats & Explosives, Oh My! – Dominic Dillon & Curtis Marquardt

Security Industry Association to Host Perimeter PREVENT Event This June

Theft, Ballistic Threats & Explosives, Oh My!
Convergint, 3B Team Up for Cost-Saving Wall Solution for Utilities
With the expense to install a pole near a substation often reaching six figures, installing security monitoring technology in this space is an expensive proposition. But a solution to reduce that cost was created through a partnership between Convergint and 3B. Watch the video below to see how a 3B wall is used to replace a pole installation and offers utilities a more cost-effective way to put cameras and other security devices up near high-voltage substation areas.
New Research from AXIS Communications Reveals Video Surveillance AI Perspectives

Helping Secure Tomorrow Today: The SIA Utilities Advisory Board’s Aims to Educate the Next Generation of Utility Security Leaders
Theft, Ballistic Threats & Explosives, Oh My! – Dominic Dillon & Curtis Marquardt

Security Industry Association to Host Perimeter PREVENT Event This June

New Research from AXIS Communications Reveals Video Surveillance AI Perspectives

Helping Secure Tomorrow Today: The SIA Utilities Advisory Board’s Aims to Educate the Next Generation of Utility Security Leaders
Theft, Ballistic Threats & Explosives, Oh My! – Dominic Dillon & Curtis Marquardt
