For years, cybersecurity was viewed primarily as an IT concern, focused on protecting networks, devices and data from attack. While that remains essential, organisations are beginning to recognise a broader reality: security has become a critical part of the user experience.

When security works well, it is almost invisible.

Employees move seamlessly between meeting rooms. Students connect effortlessly to campus systems. Hotel guests access digital services without frustration. Shoppers use loyalty apps and digital payments with confidence.

When security fails, however, the experience quickly breaks down.

A ransomware attack can take digital signage offline. A compromised meeting room system can disrupt business-critical collaboration. Weak identity management can leave users repeatedly logging in or unable to access the tools they need. Even a suspected data breach can erode customer trust that may have taken years to build.

Cybersecurity is therefore no longer simply about preventing attacks.

It is about maintaining confidence.

As organisations adopt cloud platforms, AI-powered services, connected AV devices and smart building technologies, the number of connected endpoints continues to grow. Every display, collaboration device, room controller and sensor has the potential to become part of the organisation's digital infrastructure—and every connected device must be secured without making it harder to use.

That balance is becoming increasingly important.

The most successful organisations are moving away from security measures that create unnecessary friction. Instead, they are adopting approaches that combine strong protection with simple, intuitive experiences. Single sign-on, zero-trust architectures, automated device management and continuous monitoring help strengthen resilience while reducing the burden on end users.

The result is better security and a better experience.

This also changes the role of AV technology.

Professional AV systems are no longer isolated installations. They are connected to enterprise networks, cloud services and business applications, making cybersecurity an essential consideration from the earliest stages of system design rather than something added later.

At ISE 2027, exhibitors including Cisco, Hikvision and 2N reflect this convergence. Cisco continues to develop secure enterprise networking that underpins connected AV environments, while Hikvision's intelligent monitoring technologies and 2N's IP-based access control and intercom solutions demonstrate how security is becoming integrated into the wider digital workplace. Together, these technologies are helping organisations protect increasingly complex environments while maintaining the seamless user experiences that employees, customers and visitors now expect.

Perhaps the biggest change is cultural.

Security is no longer measured solely by the number of attacks prevented. It is also measured by how confidently people can use technology. Systems that are secure but frustrating encourage workarounds. Systems that are secure and intuitive enable productivity, collaboration and trust.

That is one reason why cybersecurity continues to become an increasingly important conversation at Integrated Systems Europe. As AV, IT and smart building technologies become more closely connected, resilience is becoming just as important as performance.

Users may never notice the layers of protection working quietly behind the scenes.

But they will notice when they are missing.

Stay ahead – Stay informed.  

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Further reading

Discover cybersecurity and other emerging technologies at ISE