A resilient video surveillance market despite Covid-19

Issue 3 2021 Editor's Choice

It is sometimes said that the video surveillance market is recession proof. That when economic conditions deteriorate, there continues to be spending on security hardware and software. However, market conditions in 2020 were unprecedented.

Restrictions in response to the Covid-19 pandemic meant that many organisations were closed for large parts of the year. Many of them were in sectors which normally invest heavily in video surveillance equipment (e.g., education facilities, banks, airports, retailers, sports stadia, casinos, hotels, fitness centres). It is therefore not surprising that the market for video surveillance hardware and software declined in 2020. However, what is surprising is that the rate of this decline was so modest.

The World Market for Video Surveillance Hardware and Software – 2021 from Novaira Insights reveals that the market declined 2,6% in 2020, while it also forecasts a rapid recovery and high growth over the next five years.


Josh Woodhouse.

According to lead analyst and founder of Novaira Insights, Josh Woodhouse, “High growth in sectors like healthcare and critical infrastructure somewhat compensated for big declines elsewhere. Also, in early 2020, a market for body temperature monitoring solutions emerged, often sold by video surveillance vendors utilising their expertise in video. These products provided a short-term boost to their revenues”.


Jon Cropley.

The Covid-19 pandemic was not the only challenge faced by the video surveillance equipment market in 2020 though. Tariffs and trade restrictions also impacted vendors. Woodhouse continued, “Chinese vendors were particularly affected. They faced both U.S. Government tariffs on their products and the NDAA ban. However, they and many other vendors were also affected by disruption in the semiconductor market such as HiSilicon being effectively unable to supply semiconductors. This caused big changes in the component supply chain.”

The global market is forecast to grow at 14,3% in 2021 and will be worth an estimated $24,5 billion. In some markets such as the U.S., the pandemic acted as catalyst for end-users making greater use of cloud and managed services in their video surveillance systems. According to Jon Cropley, principal analyst at Novaira Insights, “Revenues for software and managed services continued to grow in the US in 2020 while revenues for hardware declined.

“In the past decade, there have been many acquisitions of video surveillance software vendors. A comprehensive software and managed service offering can provide a path to transforming business models to higher recurring revenues. The transition to recurring revenues is a major industry trend”.

For further information about Novaira Insights and its report, visit www.novairainsights.com/video-surveillance-market-report/




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Making drone security more accessible
Editor's Choice Integrated Solutions Residential Estate (Industry) AI & Data Analytics IoT & Automation
Michael Lever discusses advances in drone technology, focusing on cost reductions and the implementation of automated services, including beyond line of sight capabilities, for residential estates with SMART Security Solutions.

Read more...
Private fire services becoming the norm?
Technews Publishing SMART Security Solutions Editor's Choice
As the infrastructure and service delivery in many of South Africa’s major cities decline, with a few, limited exceptions, more of the work that should be done by the state has fallen to private companies.

Read more...
View from the trenches
Technews Publishing SMART Security Solutions Editor's Choice Integrated Solutions Security Services & Risk Management Residential Estate (Industry)
There are many great options available to estates for effectively managing their security and operations, but those in the trenches are often limited by body corporate/HOA budget restrictions and misunderstandings.

Read more...
SMART Estate Security Conference KZN 2025
Arteco Global Africa OneSpace Technologies SMART Security Solutions Technews Publishing Editor's Choice Integrated Solutions Security Services & Risk Management Residential Estate (Industry)
May 2025 saw the SMART Security Solutions team heading off to Durban for our annual Estate Security Conference, once again hosted at the Mount Edgecombe Country Club.

Read more...
Get the AI fundamentals right
Leaderware Editor's Choice Surveillance AI & Data Analytics
Much of the marketing for CCTV AI detection implies the client can just drop the AI into their existing systems and operations, and they will be detecting all criminals and be far more efficient when doing it.

Read more...
SMART Surveillance Conference in Johannesburg
Arteco Global Africa Technews Publishing SMART Security Solutions Axis Communications SA neaMetrics Editor's Choice Surveillance Security Services & Risk Management Logistics (Industry) AI & Data Analytics
SMART Security Solutions hosted its annual SMART Surveillance Conference in Johannesburg in July, welcoming several guests, sponsors, and speakers for an informative and enjoyable day examining the evolution of the surveillance market.

Read more...
South African fire standards in a nutshell
Fire & Safety Editor's Choice Training & Education
The importance of compliant fire detection systems and proper fire protection cannot be overstated, especially for businesses. Statistics reveal that 44% of businesses fail to reopen after a fire.

Read more...
LidarVision for substation security
Fire & Safety Government and Parastatal (Industry) Editor's Choice
EG.D supplies electricity to 2,7 million people in the southern regions of the Czech Republic, on the borders of Austria and Germany. The company operates and maintains infrastructure, including power lines and high-voltage transformer substations.

Read more...
Standards for fire detection
Fire & Safety Associations Editor's Choice
In previous articles in the series on fire standards, Nick Collins discussed SANS 10400-T and SANS 10139. In this editorial, he continues with SANS 322 – Fire Detection and Alarm Systems for Hospitals.

Read more...
Wildfires: a growing global threat
Editor's Choice Fire & Safety
Regulatory challenges and litigation related to wildfire liabilities are on the rise, necessitating robust risk management strategies and well-documented wildfire management plans. Technological innovations are enhancing detection and suppression capabilities.

Read more...










While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd. | All Rights Reserved.