Ricardo Cañizares: Spain has a well-structured electronic security industry
Spain is part of the group of European countries with a well-structured electronic security industry. It has companies with the capacity both to develop and integrate advanced solutions, incorporating AI, video analytics, cybersecurity, and centralised management of multiple platforms, and to adapt these solutions to different regulatory and operational frameworks.
Ricardo Cañizares Sales, Director of Content and application guides for the integrated security industry at AES Foundation, explains in which segments Spain is a leading country and in which it has significant development potential.
What importance does research and continuous improvement of equipment, methods, and systems have in the security world?
In the security industry, research and continuous improvement are a key element in ensuring the protection of people and assets. The ongoing development of technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) is profoundly transforming video surveillance systems, access control, intrusion detection and platform integration. Without a strong commitment to R&D&I, security systems quickly become obsolete and lose effectiveness against all types of threats, including hybrid ones.
It is not only about incorporating new equipment, but also about optimizing its design, installation, maintenance, and operation. To achieve this, continuous improvement must be applied across all phases of the lifecycle of electronic security systems.
What position does Spain hold in this field compared to other EU countries and the rest of the world?
Spain holds an intermediate position. Although it is not at the level of countries traditionally leading in technological investment, it does have a solid, competitive ecosystem that is clearly evolving. Spain is part of the group of European countries with a well-structured electronic security industry, and it has companies with the capacity both to develop and integrate advanced solutions, incorporating artificial intelligence, video analytics, cybersecurity, centralised management of multiple platforms, etc., and to adapt these solutions to different regulatory and operational frameworks.
In which segments is Spain a leading country?
One of the main segments in which Spain is a leading country is security systems integration. Spanish companies have developed a high level of specialisation in integrating heterogeneous platforms that combine video surveillance, access control, intrusion detection, fire systems, communications and cybersecurity. This capability is especially valuable in large-scale, highly complex projects, where interoperability, centralised management and operational continuity are critical factors.
Advanced video surveillance and video analytics constitute another segment in which Spain has achieved a notable level of specialisation. Spanish companies stand out for their ability to adapt artificial intelligence algorithms and image analysis to real-world use cases, while also complying with demanding regulatory requirements in terms of privacy and data protection. This combination of technology, regulatory knowledge, and practical application provides a clear competitive advantage.
In summary, Spain can be considered a leading country in those segments where engineering, integration, technological adaptation, and operational experience are key factors.
In which areas is there still significant development potential?
There are fields with strong development potential, such as those related to the development of video analytics algorithms and automatic event detection systems, which are essential for creating solutions capable of anticipating risks, optimizing resources, and supporting real-time decision-making. This involves the development of transparent, ethical artificial intelligence models aligned with European privacy regulations, which represent both a major challenge and, at the same time, a distinctive opportunity for Spain.
Another area with development potential is research into proprietary and foundational technologies. We remain highly dependent on international manufacturers for key hardware components, software, and certain critical technological solutions. Moving toward greater domestic development would reduce this dependence, increase national added value, and improve the resilience of the technological supply chain.
Spain’s development potential in the field of electronic security involves strengthening investment in its own technological innovation, deepening the use of artificial intelligence, and integrating with OT and IoT systems, while taking cybersecurity needs into account and committing to talent and standardization. This would allow Spain to achieve an international position based not only on execution, but also on technological leadership.
Do you think legislation and regulation support technological development?
The security industry in Spain is highly regulated, and this regulation has a decisive influence on all aspects of the sector. It is a determining factor in the technological development of electronic security, acting as a driving framework that supports this development by providing legal certainty and establishing new security requirements that force the sector to continuously evolve and design more robust and secure solutions that ensure compliance with current legislation. This has encouraged the adoption of paradigms such as “privacy by design” and “security by design,” fostering investment in R&D&I and the development of more transparent, auditable, and resilient solutions.
However, it is also true that legislation can become a limiting factor when its application is excessively rigid, complex, or poorly aligned with technological reality. In some cases, legislative processes do not move at the same pace as innovation, which creates uncertainty in the adoption of emerging technologies such as advanced artificial intelligence, biometrics, or automated decision-making systems.
What importance does specialised training have in the sector?
We must also address the issue of the shortage of electronic security engineers and technicians in Spain, which has become one of the main structural challenges for the sector in the country. This is an increasingly pressing problem that affects installation and integration companies, manufacturers, engineering firms, public administrations, and operators of critical infrastructure alike. It directly conditions the sector’s ability to grow, innovate and maintain the quality of security solutions.
If this problem is not addressed, the consequences for the sector will be significant. Therefore, to solve it, it is necessary to strengthen specialised training, enhance the professional status of electronic security technicians and engineers, encourage technical vocations from an early stage, and foster closer collaboration between the business sector, the educational system and public administrations.