Top CCTV Camera Technology Trends for 2024

AI smart analytics technology is transforming footage into big data

The use of AI continues to be one of the 2024 video security trends. Thanks to AI, it is possible to turn hours of previously redundant footage into data, which can then be analyzed for video security trends and patterns. Whereas before, security teams only learned from the incidents identified manually, now they can learn more from hours of untapped video that were previously skipped over. Because of the valuable insight this technology provides, more businesses are seeing the need to adopt AI video analytics and are budgeting accordingly. 

One of this year’s most significant commercial security camera trends is leveraging video analytics technology to generate big data. Below are some of the factors driving its growth. 

Deep learning helps security teams make better, faster decisions

The growth of deep learning in video security is one of the new security camera technologies and latest CCTV technology trends. Video analytics is a prime example of cutting-edge technology adopted by mainstream manufacturers and distributors across the commercial security camera industry.

AI vision solutions, or computer vision as it is known in the machine learning field, uses a highly sophisticated type of artificial intelligence known as convolutional neural networks. These networks analyze images, looking for patterns corresponding to generalized concepts such as people or vehicles. The more examples a network is given, the better it becomes at identifying these concepts quickly and accurately, which means this technology is set to become even more advanced in the near future. 

So how did video analytics become one of the 2024 video security trends and why are they such a game-changer for security teams? Enhancing video security with analytics enables teams to do much more with the resources they already have. Over an average shift, a security professional’s accuracy when monitoring video decreases due to tiredness and distractions, whereas video analytics can accurately monitor video 24÷7− 365. Analytics also remain consistently fast at processing video. 

While video surveillance technology for 2024 and video security trends are technologically advanced, security professionals won’t be replaced by algorithms. AI is only as good as the people directing it, so security professionals still need to verify alarms to ensure they are handled appropriately. 

Adopting video analytics into the latest CCTV camera technology makes a video security operator’s job easier by automating time-intensive, low-output tasks like watching hours upon hours of video. Now, teams can work smarter with the extra time and energy they have. With analytics providing fast, consistent intelligence, teams can make split-second decisions about how best to respond to incidents. 

The growth of edge computing as one of the CCTV trends for 2024

The growth of edge computing is a major technological shift in the security camera industry and remains one of the 2024 CCTV trends. Edge computing refers to applications or functions that run within a device rather than at a central server. So, edge analytics, or analytics on the edge, uses video camera analytics technology to analyze video data at the point of recording instead of sending the video to a main server for analysis. In this case, the edge devices are security cameras such as dome or bullet security cameras. This is one of the latest trends in CCTV technology to gain popularity because:

Reduced latency equals faster decision-making. Latency is the delay before a data transfer begins. If a security camera were to continuously stream all its video to a central server, there would be some delay because this data is considerable in size. However, if a camera only sends small video clips as and when they are picked up as relevant, latency reduces because the file sizes are much smaller.

This means security teams not only receive more relevant information, they also get it even faster, which can make a difference in situations where operators have a matter of seconds to respond to an incident.

Smaller video clips mean less bandwidth and data storage. Cameras continuously streaming video to servers use a lot of bandwidth. When you consider that only a small proportion of that video is needed for rapid incident response, a more efficient method is preferable. 

Cameras that send through relevant snippets put much less pressure on the network, using much less bandwidth. Not only does this mean that clips get through faster, it puts less financial strain on businesses, too, since there is less data to transmit and store.

Edge computing is the very latest CCTV camera technology. It sends accurate alerts quickly without straining a network, making it a popular video security trend. The CCTV camera market is developing hardware equipped to carry out many more tasks within the device itself, making for a more efficient network. 

Cloud technology is changing how businesses manage video security

One of the 2024 security camera trends is the rise of cloud technology in security, particularly with video surveillance. The move to cloud technology empowers businesses to grow flexibly and scalably in almost every area, such as finance, hiring and distribution. In terms of commercial security, camera trends are also heavily influenced by the cloud.

Cloud servers and ​“As a Service software” offer flexible, scalable commercial security solutions

For many companies, the security camera industry trend of moving to the cloud means an improved IT infrastructure with greater flexibility and reliability for a lower cost. Factors such as cybersecurity and maintenance are handled by the cloud supplier, and tiered remote access is made easier for employees.

As the cloud has grown in popularity, so has the As a Service (AaS) model. Many service providers are also taking advantage of the cloud, using it to power their subscription-based businesses. Security providers are adopting the AaS model, too, with easy-to-integrate video analytics software, access control solutions and site management tools. 

How does the cloud factor into the latest trends in CCTV technology and new surveillance camera technology? One word: redundancy. Every security professional knows that if you have a main system in place, you also set up a fallback system, just in case. Cloud-connected cameras, such as cloud-based panoramic cameras, link to a reliable network that is highly unlikely to cut out. If it did, it is also highly unlikely that your data would be lost or that you would lose access, as cloud providers store data in more than one location to mitigate against outages.

The Internet of Things enables real-time, HD video streaming over a dispersed network

Cloud security is the powerhouse behind the Internet of Things (IoT), a network of connected devices. One of the latest trends in CCTV technology and surveillance camera technology is the move to cloud or Wi-Fi-enabled cameras that can be set up almost anywhere and still transmit high-quality video. 

A cloud network allows connected cameras to stream HD video over its servers in real time, providing rapid, high-quality intelligence to security teams. It also breaks down team or location-driven silos. By merging all sites and teams onto one network, it is possible to take a company-wide view of security operations. 

Many software providers now offer mobile apps, too, so businesses can check on their video security at any time, from any location, on any device. 

Physical security and cybersecurity are merging as a part of the 2024 CCTV trends

While the cloud has many benefits, it is wise to approach it with caution. Interconnectivity can reveal weaknesses that are all too easy for hackers to exploit. For this reason, physical security and cybersecurity are overlapping more and more as security hardware and services migrate online. A more holistic approach to security, both online and offline, is high on the list of new commercial security camera trends. 

Remote devices like IP security cameras have their own firmware, operating systems and logins. It is crucial that you treat these devices like any other computer, with regularly run updates, making sure logins are hard to hack and only providing access to staff who need it. Otherwise, your devices could become an easy entry point to the rest of your network.

The security camera industry is seeing continued demand for IP cameras over analog

As businesses in the security camera industry and CCTV technology move their operations to the cloud and invest in new technologies like AI, it is logical that they will choose devices that fit into this new ecosystem. Analog cameras, which transmit a raw video signal over a coaxial cable, simply don’t integrate as easily. While it is possible to enhance legacy analog cameras with newer video analytics technology, many businesses are choosing to upgrade to IP security cameras.

In a side-by-side comparison, the advantages of IP over analog become clear. For example, video quality is far superior. Image resolution in an IP camera can be from 6 to 20 times higher than an analog camera, enabling wider viewing areas and much more detail when zooming in. 

IP cameras transmit video as a digital signal, which is usually better quality. If the signal is transmitted over Wi-Fi rather than cables, the risk of it degrading over long distances is also significantly reduced. The latest CCTV camera technology is focused on improving CCTV cameras, such as IP pan-tilt-zoom cameras, to make them even smarter in various ways.

The rise of 5G in video surveillance camera technology

The development of 5G-enabled cameras is a big trend in the security camera industry. These CCTV cameras will transmit audio and video signals over 5^th-generation wireless networks, which are slowly being rolled out in several countries. These cameras require a mobile service plan to function and provide faster speed, greater capacity, higher quality video and a more reliable connection. 

Only a handful of these cameras are currently available on the market. When they do become more popular, consumers can expect wider integrations and applications. With 5G or other security cameras, it is recommended to choose ONVIF-compliant cameras and an open-platform system to ensure seamless integrations with other hardware, software and VMS providers. 

As the latest CCTV camera technology becomes easier to check on the go, it is also highly likely that 5G cameras and mobile applications will become even more effective and intuitive to use.

Thermal imaging cameras are gaining popularity in CCTV technology

As thermal security camera technology improves, security professionals are finding that they are a versatile piece of security equipment. Thermal cameras have been used to detect fire, and are also now a core part of video security systems that monitor sites in low lighting or night conditions. ​“Day-to-night” cameras are also sought-after in the CCTV camera market, which combine regular video and infrared technologies to monitor sites ²⁴⁄₇, removing the need for two separate sets of cameras. 

Alongside regular CCTV bullet or dome cameras, thermal cameras can also be enhanced with the latest video analytics technology; neural networks are being trained to analyze infrared images with similar levels of accuracy as full-color images.

NDAA-compliant security cameras with specialized features

For security contractors and organizations in the video surveillance industry, the importance of complying with NDAA should be emphasized, as failure to do so might result in loss of revenue and legal ramifications. In particular, the ban on telecommunication equipment from certain China-based manufacturers such as Huawei, ZTE, Hytera Communications Corporation, Hikvision and Dahua means that security organizations are prohibited from utilizing devices, parts, components, subcomponents and chipsets from the listed companies in government facilities. As a part of the 2024 video security trends, the year will see an extensive removal and replacement of this equipment with NDAA-compliant security cameras. 

As more organizations with unique security needs are requiring specific features in surveillance devices, security cameras with advanced video surveillance technology for 2024 are becoming more widely available. Some examples include rugged security cameras for use in extreme weather conditions, an optical image stabilization feature that allows cameras to capture clear images in challenging lighting conditions and smart analytics that can identify vehicles, objects, people and events. 

NDAA-compliant cameras and video surveillance devices with advanced features are not necessarily mutually exclusive. A wide variety of NDAA-compliant security cameras with specific technologies are accessible to security contractors serving government agencies with distinct sets of security needs.

Security cameras need to integrate seamlessly with IT infrastructure

Considering new surveillance technology and business security camera trends in 2024, the most popular features people are investing in are rapid set-up, flexibility, remote connectivity and ease of integration. Companies are moving many of their operations online, often to the cloud. This means that new devices, software and other systems like access control joining their infrastructure must be simple to integrate and easy for commercial security camera installers to quickly set up. The security camera industry has responded with new hardware and software solutions to make that possible. 

Plug-and-play solutions are increasingly attractive to commercial security professionals who don’t want prolonged testing to delay operations. As companies decide to try out different technologies, mixing and matching solutions to create a tailored security system, being able to easily integrate everything is indispensable. 

What do these new commercial security camera trends mean for your business’s security?

You might read through these 2024 security camera trends and decide to try them out in your own business. Look closely at your video security system and any compliances, such as FIPS compliance requirements, that you may need to keep in mind. In addition, take a wider view of the security technology you currently use. Before implementing the new security camera technology for 2024 to your system, take stock of what you already have to see where enhancements can be made. If you are a contractor working for a government agency, ensure that your security cameras are NDAA-compliant. 

If you think new technology could strengthen a weakness or improve a process, try it out one step at a time. Don’t add video analytics, day-to-night cameras, and cloud servers all at once. Completely overhauling your video security without a proper risk assessment might create more problems than solutions. 

These CCTV trends for 2024 and commercial security camera trends are set to continue and become more sophisticated over time. Review them and see what is right for your business, and adopt new technology in a considered way for the best chance of success.