From signal to infrastructure

Within defence and secure government environments, AV technology is undergoing a structural shift. As command-and-control systems evolve, video and signal infrastructure are no longer confined to simple monitoring or presentation tasks. Instead, they are becoming embedded within wider operational workflows, where reliability, security and integration have to be treated as mission-critical requirements.

This change is being driven largely by the growing volume of data moving through modern defence environments. As organisations deploy more sensors, unmanned systems and distributed assets, the expectation is that video feeds and associated metadata are not only captured at source but made available across the command chain, from tactical edge through to centralised control rooms and operator workstations. In this context, video is no longer a supporting layer, it has become a core operational data stream.

For manufacturers, the shift is directly impacting how products are designed, certified and deployed. It is also redefining the expectations placed on AV infrastructure, which must now operate within constrained, highly secure and often unpredictable network environments.

For IPTV and streaming video specialist VITEC, this transition is already reshaping how infrastructure is deployed. “Demand has moved from video as a supporting feed to video as a core operational data layer,” explains Ghassan Dadokh, VITEC’s senior business development manager for security and defence. “Rather than being confined to a single location, video is expected to move fluidly between field-deployed systems, mobile devices and central command environments.”

Delivering that level of flexibility introduces a distinct set of challenges. “The first challenge is network stability – defence video rarely runs over pristine commercial links,” Dadokh continues. “It often has to cross software-defined radios, tactical 5G networks, SATCOM and bandwidth-constrained environments. In practice, that means the organisation must balance image quality, latency, metadata integrity and resilience. The second challenge is security architecture, where video is no longer treated as an isolated AV function; it sits inside a broader mission-critical pipe that requires robust cybersecurity protocols. The third challenge is integration complexity – defence customers want video to work with sensors, mission systems, videowalls, storage, KVM, existing networks and operator workflows, not as a standalone appliance.”

This level of integration reflects a broader convergence between AV and IT. Video streams now sit inside mission-critical network architectures, where cybersecurity protocols, access control and system segmentation are fundamental to system design. Dadokh notes that addressing these requirements is often architectural rather than product-led, with video infrastructure deployed as part of a wider accredited security framework rather than as a standalone solution.

While video transport defines one important layer of this evolving ecosystem, signal management and distribution remain equally critical as systems become ever more interconnected. For Lightware, this has brought increased focus on certification, compliance and the practical realities of working within defence procurement structures – a sector that promises immense ongoing opportunities for its regional Middle East business, in particular.

“We are seeing strong momentum from the Middle East, where modern defence projects increasingly emphasise secure and resilient networked AV infrastructures. But if you’re after a quick sale, defence is not the place for you. Procurement is typically a long and protracted engagement with various stakeholders,” explains Lightware area manager, Ragheed Haydar. “Unlike corporate or education markets, where project timelines may be relatively short, defence environments require sustained engagement and a clear understanding of both technical and organisational requirements. Relationships, documentation and process often carry as much weight as the underlying technology.”

Central to this process for Lightware is certification. Achieving approval for use in defence environments is rarely a simple matter of testing a finished product. Instead, it can involve multiple layers of consideration, from supply chain transparency through to firmware hardening and deployment strategy. In many cases, supply chain scrutiny represents the first and most significant hurdle, with country-of-origin and component sourcing subject to detailed examination.

“Supply chain management is often the first consideration and certainly the hardest to change,” Haydar notes. “Firmware hardening in conjunction with certain deployment considerations would be the next level of establishing that the total solution is suitable for the security level of the location.”

These requirements can also have a direct impact on product design. Features that are standard in commercial environments may need to be removed or modified to meet security criteria. “If a product is a commercially available platform that needs to be modified to suit a specific requirement, then absolutely,” Haydar explains. “Consider an LCD display, for example. It may require the removal of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capability.”

At the same time, broader shifts in network architecture are influencing how signal infrastructure is specified. “The market has pushed the defence industry to reconsider its design criteria because of network connectivity being the norm rather than the exception,” Haydar says. However, the adoption of IP-based systems remains closely tied to the security profile of each deployment, with system design shaped by risk mitigation strategies.

Lifecycle expectations further differentiate defence from other verticals. Systems are typically expected to remain operational for longer periods, placing greater emphasis on long-term reliability, support and consistency of performance. Product decisions are therefore not only about immediate functionality, but also about how systems will be maintained and adapted over time.

Taken together, these factors point to a broader shift in how AV solutions have to be positioned within defence environments. What was once considered a supporting technology is now treated as part of a wider operational infrastructure, subject to the same scrutiny as other mission-critical systems. Certification, cybersecurity and integration are no longer optional considerations, but fundamental requirements shaping both product development and system design.

“In defence tenders, integration capability is vital because no customer wants to rebuild their entire command infrastructure just to adopt a new video workflow,” Dadokh confirms. “The more futureproof vendors are the ones that can integrate cleanly with existing video processing platforms, display environments and secure network architectures.”

As defence organisations continue to expand their use of data-driven workflows, these requirements are also beginning to influence other sectors. Expectations around security, interoperability and lifecycle are extending beyond defence into wider government and enterprise environments. In doing so, they are accelerating a broader shift across the AV industry, where systems are no longer viewed as standalone technologies but as part of the infrastructure that underpins modern operations.

For Haydar, all of this comes down to one key point: “Probably the biggest misconception in defence environments is failing to understand the procurement process. Knowing your customer is often more important than knowing what you are selling.”