Genetec on Future-Proofing Smart Infrastructure in African Cities

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Andy Mackay, marketing director for Genetec in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), has highlighted the need for African governments, businesses, and investors to prioritize talent development and adaptable technology when planning smart city and major infrastructure projects.

Speaking in an interview with Africa Digest News, Mackay pointed out that the continent faces a shortage of professionals capable of using physical security software to deliver value beyond conventional security purposes. He stressed that next-generation security should extend beyond asset protection to support organizational growth and broader smart city objectives.

Technology and hybrid deployments

Partnerships with technology providers are also key. Mackay emphasized the importance of “unified, open platforms that can operate in cloud environments.”

He added, “There are technology companies that are unified and open and want to be enabled in cloud environments. And those technology partners are actually able to add the value that organizations need to be able to monitor and improve a smart city as an example.”

Regarding deployment models, Mackay said African organizations need to carefully balance cloud, on-premises, and hybrid solutions. While cloud infrastructure enables advanced analytics and AI capabilities, some systems cannot fully migrate to the cloud due to regulatory, technical, or infrastructure limitations.

He suggested a hybrid approach, with certain workloads running on-premises, others in the cloud, and some on edge devices.

“It’s really important that organizations think about a hybrid deployment. So some workloads can be run on premise, some workloads in the cloud where needed and then some out on the edge on edge devices,” he noted.

Physical security as a strategic function

Mackay also observed a shift in how organizations view physical security. Instead of being solely reactive, security is now seen as a strategic function that can generate business value while protecting the wider ecosystem.

Measuring success and preparing for the future

When assessing the effectiveness of security and smart city initiatives, Mackay recommended looking beyond operational efficiency, incident reduction, cost savings, and compliance. Success should also be measured by how well platforms can adapt to future organizational requirements.

He stressed the need for solutions that can evolve over time. “Find a platform that is future proof and has the direction to add even more value as organizations grow and develop,” Mackay said.

Mackay concluded that for Africa to fully capitalize on smart city and infrastructure projects, investment in skilled personnel, versatile technology, and flexible deployment models is critical.