2025 Security Industry Predictions: Kelly Bond, Davis Mergers & Acquisitions Group

Bond, a partner with one of the security industry’s top M&A firms, shares her thoughts on what will happen in 2025.

Today’s 2025 Security Industry Predictions series entry come from Davis Mergers & Acquisitions partner and 2024 SSI Industry Hall of Fame inductee Kelly Bond.

Security Sales & Integration: On the business and operations side, which single factor (e.g., interest rates, talent-related issues, geopolitical stressors) poses the biggest challenge for security businesses right now? How can business owners mitigate their downside risk?

Kelly Bond: One of the biggest challenges for security businesses today is keeping pace with rapidly advancing technology. While innovations like cloud solutions and artificial intelligence offer new revenue-generating opportunities, they also require significant investments of time, money, and education to adopt effectively.

For small businesses, this strain is compounded by limited resources, both in personnel and time.

To mitigate these risks, business owners must carefully evaluate the market fit of new products and services. It’s essential to do the proper diligence to ensure these investments can deliver a quick and meaningful return.

Owners should consider whether it’s more strategic to upskill existing staff or allocate budget for hiring specialized talent. Balancing innovation with operational efficiency will be key to navigating this challenge while maintaining a competitive edge.

SSI: What’s getting better about the security industry these days?

Bond: The security industry is improving in several key areas. Technology advancements, such as AI, cloud computing and Internet of Things, are enabling smarter, more efficient and proactive solutions. Systems are becoming more integrated and user-friendly, with greater interoperability across platforms.

And these new advancements are drawing a younger and more diverse workforce who bring new ideas and schools of thought to the industry.

SSI: What seems to be getting worse and worse?

Bond: Staffing shortages and talent gaps are becoming more pronounced as the demand for skilled technicians continues to exceed supply. This challenge is especially acute for smaller companies, which often struggle to attract and retain qualified talent, hindering their ability to implement and sustain advanced technologies.

SSI: What’s liable to catch some security dealers, installers and integrators off guard in the coming year?

Bond: The increasing demand for proactive security, coupled with advancements in AI and edge computing may put owners at a loss for which technology to implement first. End users will demand solutions that can integrate seamlessly with their existing system. The request for all available upgrades and addons will come quickly and smaller businesses may find themselves unable to deliver.

SSI: What’s the single most pressing issue that professionals in the security industry should look to tackle right now?

Bond: Ensuring that they properly price and appropriately contract the new products and services they offer their end users.

While consumers may initially be willing to pay a premium, as these offerings become more widespread, end users will begin comparing prices with competitors, making competitive pricing essential for maintaining market position.

SSI: Finish this sentence: 2025 will be remembered as the year that the security industry…

Bond: … will see the widespread adoption of cloud-based platforms and advanced video analytics, enabling enhanced real-time service, monitoring and the ability to provide proactive and scalable security measures.

and

…experienced a very active year of mergers and acquisition activity as security business owners will opt out of implementing new technology and will cede market share.

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