By Jeff Wardon, Jr., Assistant Editor

As hospitals deal with increasing security challenges, technology continues to evolve beyond traditional surveillance and screening. In the next few years, manufacturers predict CCTV systems will become vital clinical tools – monitoring patient safety as much as site security – while advanced weapon detection technologies deliver faster, more accurate and less intrusive protection.  

In this manufacturer roundtable, Healthcare Facilities Today spoke with security technology manufacturers about how artificial intelligence, edge processing and integrated sensors are setting a new standard for healthcare safety. 

Looking ahead, what innovations or trends should healthcare facility managers expect in CCTV and weapon detection technology over the next three to five years?  

“Over time CCTV systems will be able to double as clinical tools providing data and events for unattended patients, patient wandering and patients falling out of beds. Weapons detection accuracy will continue to improve, reducing false positives and additional screening.” 

— Barbara Wood, key account manager, Genetec   

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“Future advancements will make these systems faster, smarter and more adaptable. First, I’d expect more processing at the edge, with AI running directly on cameras or appliances. This enables more scalable deployments, off network operation and lower latency, reducing bandwidth, and extending the life of these cameras. For hospitals, that means stronger protection, lower cost of ownership and the flexibility to expand coverage over time. 

Second, detection capabilities will likely evolve beyond simple object recognition, incorporating analysis of behavior, movement patterns or indicators of intent. This provides earlier warning and richer situational context for security teams. 

Finally, combining advanced AI with expanded sensors will deliver truly touchless screening across entire campuses by blending traditional video with LiDAR, thermal and other sensor types. This integration will allow hospitals to embed weapons detection into broader safety ecosystems, bringing faster, more intelligent responses.” 

— Eric Polovich, director of sales operations, Omnilert   

“Over the next few years, healthcare facility managers should expect to see new systems that provide better detection capabilities while also speeding up ingress and improving the comfort level of visitors. It should become less acceptable for security screening manufacturers to expect healthcare customers to choose between aesthetics and comfort or highly sensitive, effective detection. In today’s dangerous world, both are essential and should be a requirement of any new weapon detection technology.” 

— Steve Novakovich, chief executive officer, Garrett Metal Detectors 

Jeff Wardon, Jr., is the assistant editor of the facilities market.