Gaurav Taywade
Managing Director
Vicon Industries India
Speaking on regulation, cybersecurity, and building a futureready surveillance ecosystem in India
The Indian electronic security and video surveillance industry is undergoing one of its most defining transitions in recent years. What was once a specification-driven, price-sensitive market is now rapidly evolving into a compliance-led, cybersecurity-conscious ecosystem. The integration of STQC-based Essential Requirements (ER) with BIS registration, reinforced by the latest clarification from the Ministry of Electronics and IT, marks a structural shift in how surveillance technology is evaluated, procured, and deployed across the country.
In this new regulatory environment, surveillance is no longer merely about cameras and recording devices. It is about firmware accountability, data sovereignty, secure architectures, trusted supply chains, and long-term system integrity. Government procurement norms under PPP-MII, combined with BIS-CRO compliance requirements, are collectively reshaping buyer behaviour and raising the benchmark for manufacturers and system integrators alike.
Amidst this transformation, industry leaders are recalibrating their strategies – not just to comply, but to build resilient, intelligent, and future-ready surveillance ecosystems. In this exclusive interaction with SecurityLinkIndia, Gaurav Taywade, Managing Director, Vicon Industries, shares his perspective on market maturity, AI-driven innovation, regulatory alignment, and the evolving balance between global technology and Make-in-India imperatives. Here are the excerpts:
How do you assess the current state of the electronic security and video surveillance market in India as we enter 2026?
As we enter 2026, the Indian electronic security and video surveillance market is not just growing – it is maturing. The focus has clearly shifted from basic surveillance to intelligent, compliant, and cyber-secure infrastructure.
One of the biggest positive disruptions has been the implementation of STQC norms. These regulations have fundamentally changed buyer behavior. Earlier, procurement decisions were often driven by price sensitivity and basic specifications. Today, cybersecurity compliance, firmware control, data sovereignty, and supply chain transparency are becoming non-negotiable requirements – especially in government and critical infrastructure projects.
The demand is no longer for just cameras; it is for secure, intelligent surveillance ecosystems. We are seeing strong traction in edge-based analytics, AI-enabled monitoring, perimeter protection, integrated command centers, and Make-in-India compliant solutions.
Another important shift is the growing awareness around long-term reliability and total cost of ownership. Enterprises and government bodies now understand that investing in cyber-secure and STQC-compliant platforms reduces risk exposure in the future.
Overall, 2026 marks a transition phase where the market is moving from volume-driven growth to value-driven growth – and that is a very healthy sign for the industry.
What major shifts did you observe in customer expectations and buying behaviour during 2025?
In 2025, customer expectations evolved significantly, particularly around compliance and cybersecurity. STQC certification became a key decision factor, especially in government and enterprise projects. Buyers are now far more conscious about firmware control, data protection, and long-term regulatory alignment, rather than focusing purely on specifications and pricing.
At the same time, there has been a strong shift toward AI-driven, edge-based analytics. Customers increasingly expect cameras to deliver actionable intelligence – such as intrusion detection, ANPR, face recognition, and behavior analytics – directly at the edge, reducing dependency on servers and enabling faster decision-making. The demand is clearly moving from passive recording to proactive security.
What is Vicon’s long-term vision for the Indian market?
Vicon’s long-term vision for the Indian market is centered on building a secure, intelligent, and self-reliant surveillance ecosystem aligned with India’s regulatory and operational priorities. A key pillar of this vision is Make in India. We have already localized development and support for our VMS platform from India, and we are actively progressing toward expanding our manufacturing footprint to strengthen supply chain resilience and compliance readiness. Our objective is not just to sell products in India, but to build solutions for India.
Going forward, we see India demanding cyber-secure, STQC-compliant, AI-enabled surveillance systems that integrate seamlessly across platforms. Our strategy is to invest in edge analytics, secure hardware architectures, and scalable infrastructure while maintaining strong local engineering and technical support capabilities. We aim to position Vicon as a long-term technology partner for government, critical infrastructure, and enterprise sectors – delivering intelligent security solutions that are compliant, future-ready, and proudly aligned with India’s evolving security framework.
Which verticals – such as smart cities, transportation, critical infrastructure, or enterprise – are driving the most growth for Vicon in India?
In India, we are witnessing the strongest growth from the enterprise segment, particularly large manufacturing plants, corporate campuses, logistics hubs, and multi-location organizations. Enterprises today are investing in scalable, cyber-secure, and analytics-driven surveillance systems to enhance operational efficiency, compliance, and risk management. The demand is no longer limited to monitoring – it extends to intelligent analytics, centralized VMS platforms, and long-term reliability.
Alongside enterprise, critical government infrastructure is emerging as a significant growth driver. With increasing emphasis on STQC compliance, cybersecurity standards, and indigenous sourcing, government and public sector projects are prioritizing secure and regulation-aligned solutions. This combination of enterprise modernization and compliance-driven government infrastructure is shaping the next phase of growth for Vicon in India.
How is Vicon leveraging AI, video analytics, and edge computing in its product portfolio?
Vicon has embedded AI across both the software and hardware layers of its portfolio. Our VMS platform is AI-powered, enabling intelligent event management, smart search, and advanced analytics processing at the system level. At the edge, we have developed our own in-house analytics engine, now integrated into our upcoming Roughneck Pro series, delivering 19+ AI-based analytics directly on the camera. This ensures faster response times, reduced server dependency, and real-time actionable intelligence.
With our NEXT camera series, AI goes beyond traditional analytics. In NEXT, artificial intelligence is also applied to image enhancement and advanced low-light optimization, significantly reducing dependence on conventional IR illumination. By leveraging AI-driven image processing, we deliver sharper visuals in challenging environments while maintaining operational efficiency. This evolution reflects our broader vision – moving from surveillance recording to intelligent visual interpretation.
What role do cloud-based and hybrid surveillance solutions play in Vicon’s roadmap?
Cloud and hybrid surveillance are becoming increasingly relevant in India, particularly for multi-site enterprises and distributed operations. At Vicon, we have already launched Anavio, our cloud platform that allows cameras to connect directly to the cloud for simplified deployment, remote management, and centralized visibility. In parallel, our Valerus VMS supports cloud archiving capabilities, enabling customers to securely store critical footage in the cloud while maintaining on-premise control.
By hybrid surveillance, we refer to a balanced architecture where edge intelligence runs on the camera, core recording and management operate on secure on-premise infrastructure, and selected data or backups are archived to the cloud. This model ensures data sovereignty, regulatory compliance, and cybersecurity – while still delivering the flexibility and scalability that modern enterprises demand. We see hybrid deployments as the most practical and future-ready approach for the Indian market.
With cybersecurity becoming a major concern, how is Vicon addressing data protection and system integrity?
Cybersecurity is no longer optional in surveillance – it is foundational. At Vicon, we take data protection and system integrity extremely seriously. Our VMS platform undergoes regular vulnerability assessments, including weekly scans using industry-leading security tools to proactively identify and mitigate potential risks. In addition, both our cameras and VMS are STQC certified, ensuring compliance with India’s stringent cybersecurity and regulatory requirements.
Looking ahead, we recognize that cyber threats will only become more sophisticated. To strengthen hardware-level security, we have upgraded our upcoming camera portfolio with onboard TPM (Trusted Platform Module) chips, enabling secure key storage, hardware-based encryption, and protection against firmware tampering. By combining certified software compliance, continuous vulnerability management, and hardware-rooted security, we are building a surveillance ecosystem designed to withstand future cyber risks.
The integration of STQC-based Essential Requirements with BIS registration marks a major shift in India’s surveillance regulations. How do you interpret this transition?
The integration of STQC-based Essential Requirements with BIS registration marks a structural shift in how surveillance products are evaluated in India. It signals a move from product-level specification compliance to system-level accountability. This transition ensures that surveillance equipment entering the market is not only technically compliant but also aligned with national security expectations, traceability standards, and long-term infrastructure planning.
While the initial phase created uncertainty across manufacturers and system integrators, the transition is ultimately strengthening the ecosystem. It is filtering out opportunistic participation and encouraging serious, long-term players to invest in product integrity, local engagement, and regulatory alignment. In the long run, this will help India build a more credible, standardized, and globally competitive surveillance industry.
In your view, what are the primary objectives behind the government’s push for ER-based certification? Are the objectives being fulfilled?
The primary objective behind the government’s push for ER-based certification is to establish a structured and accountable framework for surveillance technology entering the Indian market. Beyond product specifications, the intent is to ensure traceability, firmware ownership clarity, and long-term maintainability of systems deployed across critical sectors. It reflects a broader national priority to reduce dependency risks and bring greater discipline to procurement standards.
In my view, the objectives are gradually being fulfilled. The transition phase required adjustment from manufacturers and system integrators, but it has started creating a more transparent and standardized ecosystem. Serious players are aligning their development, documentation, and support processes accordingly. While continuous refinement and faster processing timelines would further strengthen implementation, the overall direction is positive and aligned with India’s long-term infrastructure goals.
How prepared is the industry – especially system integrators and distributors – for these compliance requirements?
Any major regulatory implementation initially brings uncertainty, and the same was true when compliance requirements were strengthened. In the early phase, there was visible hesitation across system integrators and distributors as they assessed documentation, certification timelines, and product eligibility. However, as clarity improved and industry awareness increased, the market began stabilizing.
Today, most serious system integrators and distributors are far more informed and prepared. They understand the importance of aligning with compliant and future-ready OEM partners. The ecosystem is gradually adapting, and we are seeing greater diligence in procurement planning and vendor selection. While the transition required effort, it has ultimately created a more disciplined and structured industry environment.
How is Vicon aligning its product portfolio to meet India’s STQC and BIS-ER requirements?
Vicon has taken a proactive approach toward aligning its portfolio with India’s STQC and BIS-ER requirements. Our Valerus VMS platform and the Roughneck series cameras are already certified, reflecting our commitment to regulatory readiness and long-term market presence. We have invested significantly in documentation, firmware control, and compliance processes to ensure smooth certification and deployment.
Currently, we are progressing toward certification of the upcoming Roughneck Pro series, and once that milestone is achieved, our focus will extend to specialized segments including explosion-proof, marine-grade, and other purpose-built cameras. Our objective is to build a fully compliant, end-to-end ecosystem that addresses both mainstream and mission-critical surveillance requirements in India.
How can global technology providers collaborate with Indian manufacturers under the new regulatory framework?
This is a very important question, especially in the context of India’s evolving regulatory framework. The new compliance environment is not designed to restrict global participation, but rather to encourage structured collaboration. Global technology providers can work closely with Indian manufacturers through joint development models, localized manufacturing partnerships, technology transfer, and shared compliance frameworks. This approach allows international expertise to combine with India’s growing manufacturing and engineering capabilities.
At Vicon, aligned with our Make in India mission, we are actively engaging with MSME partners for local manufacturing of multiple product lines while strengthening our own development and support center in India. Such collaborations not only ensure regulatory alignment but also build supply chain resilience, faster customization, and long-term market sustainability. The future lies in global innovation supported by strong local execution, and companies that adopt this hybrid model will be best positioned under the new framework.
Vicon’s long-term vision for the Indian market is centered on building a secure, intelligent, and self-reliant surveillance ecosystem aligned with India’s regulatory and operational priorities. A key pillar of this vision is Make in India. We have already localized development and support for our VMS platform from India, and we are actively progressing toward expanding our manufacturing footprint to strengthen supply chain resilience and compliance readiness. Our objective is not just to sell products in India, but to build solutions for India
As per the latest notification by the government what is the relevance of STQC over BIS ER certification now onward?
As per the latest notification, STQC continues to play an important technical evaluation role within the BIS-ER framework. While BIS-ER registration is the formal certification required for market deployment, STQC assessment supports the technical validation of essential requirements. Together, they form a structured compliance mechanism to ensure products meet regulatory expectations.
How will these compliance requirements influence project costs, procurement timelines, and solution design?
Compliance requirements will initially have some impact on project timelines and documentation processes, particularly during the transition phase. Procurement cycles may become slightly longer due to certification validation and technical due diligence. However, this also brings greater clarity and standardization in vendor selection.
In terms of costs, while compliant products may not always be the lowest-priced option, they offer better long-term value through reliability, traceability, and reduced risk exposure. From a solution design perspective, system architecture is becoming more structured and compliance-driven, encouraging better planning and future-ready deployments.
Are there any areas within the STQC or BIS-ER framework that require further clarity or refinement?
Overall, the STQC and BIS-ER framework has brought much-needed structure and clarity to the industry. At this stage, there are no major concerns from our perspective. However, as the ecosystem evolves, having a more streamlined and clearly defined process for firmware updates and the addition of new models within an approved series would further enhance operational efficiency.
How can the government ensure smoother implementation without disrupting ongoing projects?
Clear communication, structured transition timelines, and consistent procedural guidance can help ensure smoother implementation. A collaborative approach between regulators and industry stakeholders will support compliance without disrupting ongoing projects.
How important are system integrators and channel partners in Vicon’s India strategy?
System integrators and channel partners are central to Vicon’s India strategy. Given the complexity of surveillance deployments and compliance-driven requirements, trusted partners play a critical role in solution design, project execution, and long-term support. They help translate technology into practical, site-specific implementations.
We view our partners not just as distributors, but as strategic collaborators. By working closely with them through technical training, joint planning, and project engagement, we ensure that our solutions are delivered effectively and aligned with customer expectations.
What leadership principles guide you in building Vicon’s presence in a competitive market like India?
In a highly competitive market like India, my leadership approach is centered on long-term value rather than short-term positioning. Instead of being distracted by price-led competition, we focus on product quality, technological integrity, and delivering measurable value to customers. Sustainable growth comes from building trust, not just winning transactions.
I strongly believe in consistency, regulatory alignment, and deep customer engagement. By investing in compliance, innovation, and partner relationships, we position Vicon as a reliable and credible technology provider. In the long run, markets reward stability, performance, and commitment – and that is the principle we operate on.
What key lessons did you take away from the challenges and opportunities of 2025?
One of the key lessons from 2025 was that adaptability is critical in a rapidly evolving regulatory and technological landscape. Market transitions may initially create uncertainty, but they also open opportunities for companies that are prepared and proactive. Being aligned with compliance, investing in product integrity, and maintaining transparency proved to be long-term strengths.
What are Vicon’s top priorities for India in 2026?
In 2026, our top priorities for India are clear – expanding our STQC-compliant portfolio, strengthening our Make in India initiatives, and accelerating adoption of AI-driven surveillance solutions. We are focused on certifying our upcoming product lines, enhancing local development capabilities, and deepening engagement with enterprise and government sectors.
Equally important is building a robust partner ecosystem and delivering secure, scalable, and future-ready solutions. Our objective is not just growth, but sustainable growth – aligned with India’s regulatory direction and long-term infrastructure vision.
In one sentence, how would you describe Vicon’s India journey and its future direction?
Vicon’s India journey has been about building credibility through compliance, quality, and trust, and our future direction is focused on delivering intelligent, secure, and Make-in-India aligned surveillance solutions for long-term growth.
Conclusion
The Indian surveillance market stands at a pivotal inflection point. Regulatory discipline, cybersecurity compliance, and structured procurement norms are redefining industry standards and filtering serious, long-term players from opportunistic participation. While the transition has required adjustment, it is steadily creating a more transparent, accountable, and globally competitive ecosystem.
As reflected in this conversation, the future of surveillance in India will not be driven by hardware alone. It will be shaped by intelligent analytics, secure architectures, hybrid deployment models, and regulatory alignment. Compliance is no longer an administrative checkpoint – it has become a strategic differentiator.
The harmonization of STQC testing with BIS-ER compliance is more than a procedural clarification; it is a signal that India’s security infrastructure is entering a phase of structured maturity. For manufacturers, system integrators, and end-users alike, the message is clear – sustainable growth will belong to those who combine innovation with accountability.
In 2026 and beyond, the industry’s trajectory is unmistakable – moving from price-led expansion to value-driven, secure, and future-ready surveillance ecosystems.
