A Capital One survey found that more than half (52 percent) of security professionals see video surveillance as the technology trend that will have the biggest impact on their businesses in the coming year – a significant increase from 2015 when only 23 percent of respondents answered similarly.

Growth of interconnected devices (the “Internet of Things”) was cited as the next most significant trend at 28 percent. “This year has been particularly transformative for the security industry,” said John Robuck, Capital One’s Managing Director of Security Finance. “The key drivers were significant advances in technology and business model changes resulting from those advances. Video surveillance technology, along with interconnected devices, are revolutionizing the industry and delivering more sophisticated data and analytics to security companies, allowing them to update their security processes and refine their business strategies.”

In line with our 2015 results, respondents continued to be optimistic about the financial health of the security industry, with 87 percent expecting improved financial performance in the coming year. This optimism is evident as mergers and acquisitions continue to shape the market; more than two-thirds (69 percent) of security system professionals expect to complete at least one acquisition in the next year. Notably, twenty-three percent of respondents said they are looking to complete at least three acquisitions—up slightly from 2015.

Forty-two percent of respondents expect new lines of credit to be the most important type of financing for the industry in the next 12 months, followed by acquisition facilities (35 percent), refinancing of existing debt (15 percent) and leveraged buyouts (9 percent).

“The security industry continues to grow and innovate each year, and our recent survey reaffirms a positive outlook for the sector,” said Robuck. “Our team is well-positioned to work with companies and investors to take advantage of the changing technology and overall confidence in the industry.”

Capital One conducted a proprietary survey of attendees at the Honeywell Connect 2016 conference in Hollywood, Florida on November 10-11, 2016. The survey was developed to gauge views on the security system industry in the next year. Respondents included security system dealers and integrators, and other professionals who serve the security industry. Percentages are based on 123 responses.