The focus has shifted from hardware and storage to trustworthy, intelligent, and manageable security solutions that actually support your business. That's why in 2026, we're continuing to experience several key trends in the CCTV space:
Cybersecurity is not optional
In 2026, cybersecurity is one of the defining factors in CCTV platform selection. The vast majority of organisations now recognise cyber risk as a board-level concern, with 80% UK businesses naming cybersecurity as their greatest risk this year. That's why we're seeing IT teams increasingly take video surveillance under their wing, where it used to be a security team problem (until something broke).
Traditional CCTV deployments were rarely designed with modern cyber threats in mind. Shared passwords, unencrypted video streams, flat network access, and limited auditability are still common — particularly with legacy NVR-based systems. Cloud CCTV platforms often overcome many of these shortfalls, but can present unique cybersecurity challenges of their own.
Businesses now need a Cloud CCTV platform that is secure by design, not one that relies on bolt-on controls or manual processes. That means:
- Eliminating shared credentials in favour of individual user accounts
- Encrypting video and metadata both in transit and at rest
- Enforcing role-based access controls and least-privilege access
- Supporting modern identity standards such as SSO and MFA (ideally without charging extra)
- Providing clear visibility over who accessed what, and when
For IT and security teams, CCTV must now align with the same cybersecurity expectations as any other enterprise system.
AI that delivers easy insight, not just footage
AI promises powerful business insight, but its value depends on usability: features that take hours of self-guided learning are wasted on already stretched teams. Modern CCTV platforms must deliver genuinely useful actionable intelligence that helps teams investigate faster, stay secure, and make smarter decisions — without adding extra workload. This links into the service level of the VSaaS platforms you're looking at; where some look after the software and provide learning resources, others go the extra mile when it comes to training your team. Local support for UK businesses makes all the difference too.
Cloud first CCTV
By 2026, many organisations describe themselves as cloud-first — but that doesn’t mean every system genuinely fits that model.
There’s a growing distinction between:
- Cloud-based CCTV, where local hardware like NVRs, DVRs, or even CCTV cameras are still relied upon for storage or analytics
- Cloud-first CCTV, where the platform is designed around cloud principles from the outset
With cloud-first approaches prioritising centralised management, secure remote access, elastic scaling without forklift upgrades, and faster updates, it's no wonder that it's increasingly the preferred approach.
So, what's the best Cloud CCTV platform for businesses in 2026?
That depends on your business needs. From SEiNG, the UK's managed VSaaS designed to work with your cameras, to top American-founded Cloud physical security leaders like Verkada, let's explore what's out there.