2025 Security Industry Predictions: Kevin Stone, Electronic Security Association

Doyle Security chief operating officer and ESA chairman offers his prognostications for the security industry.

We’re continuing our ongoing 2025 Security Industry Predictions series with a few thoughts from Kevin Stone, chief operating officer at Doyle Security and chairman of the Electronic Security Association (ESA). We’ll have many more predictions throughout this month and into the new year.

Security Sales & Integration: Without getting into any specific vendors or branded solutions, what technology category or solution area do you see as 2025’s ripest, most profitable growth opportunity for security dealers, installers, and integrators? Explain your reasoning.  

Kevin Stone: The video space continues to evolve, presenting what I believe is the greatest growth opportunity for our industry. The emergence of video monitoring, ongoing advancements in artificial intelligence and increasingly reliable analytics are driving this growth.

We’re seeing a wave of value-generating innovations, such as AI-driven audio responses to intruders, license plate recognition (LPR), and other exciting advancements. 

 These days, we’re all hearing a lot about the cloud migration, AI/machine learning, crime deterrence vs. crime reactiveness, etc. Which of these “hot topics” do you think is overplayed? Which ones do you think will truly transform the practice of security integration in the coming years?  

 I wouldn’t say any of these trends are truly “overplayed,” but the emphasis on ‘cloud’ technology has become somewhat mundane. The concept—essentially using an external server managed by a third party—has matured and is now the norm.

At this point, those opting for on-premises, local-only systems are likely doing so intentionally. On the other hand, AI has shown that there’s still significant room for growth, and I believe it will have a profound and lasting impact on our industry. 

SSI: In the business and operations side, which single factor (e.g., interest rates, talent-related issues, geopolitical stressors) poses the biggest challenge for security businesses right now? How can business owners mitigate their downside risk? 

Stone: To me, the answer to this question is clear: workforce development will remain a significant challenge. With waning interest in trades, we need to find new and creative ways to compete for, hire, and retain talent. Without a doubt, this is our industry’s single biggest area of concern.   

ESA and the Security Industry Association continue to support the industry through the Foundation for Advancing Security Talent (FAST). FAST aims to connect passionate and innovative professionals with new opportunities in the electronic security and life safety sectors. 

SSI: What’s getting better about the security industry these days? What seems to be getting worse and worse? 

Stone: Better: The exciting new landscape of product offerings creates fresh sales opportunities—if your company can stay up to speed. I also believe that technological advancements are significantly enhancing the customer experience, making it more seamless and intuitive.

Worse: Operating complexity. For those attempting to offer a generalist security solution, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to maintain proficiency across multiple disciplines. The training and specialization required for video, fire alarms, access control, and other areas continue to diverge, making it harder to ‘be all things to all people’ and compete effectively with companies that specialize.

 SSI: What’s liable to catch some security dealers, installers, and integrators off guard in the coming year? 

Stone: I would say that economic uncertainty, the changing political landscape and potential for things like product tariffs could provide a challenge in the upcoming year.   

SSI: What’s the single most pressing issue that professionals in the security industry should look to tackle right now? 

Stone: At the risk of being redundant, workforce development needs attention now. Trades like ours will continue to struggle to grow if they can’t find the talent to do so. The industry workforce continues to age and we’re not attracting new individuals as quickly as is required to adequately to support growth.   

SSI: Finish this sentence: 2025 will be remembered as the year that the security industry… 

Stone: …continued to grow during uncertain, challenging economic times. The security and life safety industry has always been resilient and 2025 will be no exception.

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