In the ever-evolving theatre of global security, artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept reserved for futurists and Silicon Valley evangelists. It is here. It is now. And it is reshaping the way we secure people, property, and information.
According to the Genetec 2025 State of Physical Security Report, 42% of security decision-makers are actively seeking AI-driven solutions—a clear signal that the appetite for automation and advanced analytics has grown beyond mere curiosity.
“AI-powered analytics are enhancing situational awareness and reducing response times.” —George Moawad, Country Manager Oceania, Genetec
This delicate balance—between innovation and ethical governance—is rapidly becoming the defining challenge of AI implementation in the security sector. Predictive modelling, facial recognition, and anomaly detection are all promising more proactive threat mitigation strategies. But as Moawad warns, “this capability also raises concerns about over-surveillance and potential misuse.” He recommends establishing AI oversight committees as a proactive measure.
Yet the shift is not without its growing pains. AI’s rise coincides with a labour force already stretched thin by escalating training costs and attrition rates. Security professionals, long accustomed to ad hoc policies and shoestring budgets, are now required to integrate AI literacy into an already demanding skill set.
“Training in areas such as data literacy, AI systems, and network automation should be treated as a strategic priority.”
—Justin Hurst, CTO APAC, Extreme Networks
Hurst believes the future of network engineering “is not about replacing people with AI, but about enabling them to work smarter and more strategically.” AI, at its best, doesn’t displace people—it enables them.
Energy, Ethics and Edge Computing
It is not just operational implications that demand attention. Sustainability is emerging as a critical axis in the AI conversation. As Simon Wistow, Co-founder of Fastly, bluntly states, “Gen AI isn’t just some magical cloud outputting poetry and code, it’s millions of GPUs crunching vectors and consuming serious power.”
Fastly’s 2025 AI Energy Pulse Check revealed that nearly 45% of global respondents would prioritise energy-efficient models if AI costs were linked to energy usage. Shared frameworks, semantic caching, and hardware-efficient designs are no longer best practice—they’re necessary.
“Innovation and sustainability aren’t mutually exclusive. But right now, we’re leaning toward camp innovation, no matter the cost.”
—Simon Wistow, Co-founder, Fastly
Looking Forward
What does this mean for the security industry?
AI is no longer an optional upgrade—it is the foundational layer of tomorrow’s security framework. From predictive threat detection in public spaces to automated response protocols in critical infrastructure, AI’s role will expand—and rapidly.
Training must evolve. Ethical guidelines must become enforceable. Energy use must be viewed not as a footnote but as a frontline issue.
Above all, we must stop treating AI as an external tool. It is now an integral, evolving intelligence within our systems. The professionals charged with oversight must evolve accordingly.
AI Appreciation Day is not just about applause. It’s about accountability.
Let us not be remembered as the ones who built the future without ever pausing to think what kind of future we were building.
