As cities across the Middle East continue to invest in smarter, safer, and more connected infrastructure, cybersecurity has become as critical as innovation itself. In this exclusive interview with Middle East News 247, a senior representative from Milestone Systems shares how the company is reinforcing its video management solutions (VMS) against emerging cyber threats, maintaining open-platform flexibility, and aligning its strategy with government visions such as UAE Vision 2031. From protecting critical networks to powering mega infrastructure projects with AI, Milestone is helping shape the backbone of digital transformation across the region.
- As cyber threats targeting city infrastructures intensify, how is Milestone hardening its VMS ecosystem against intrusion attempts, ransomware, and supply chain attacks?
Milestone’s Video Management System (VMS) ecosystem is designed with security as a fundamental priority, ensuring that organizations maintain full control over their deployment. By installing the solution within the customer’s own environment, Milestone enables organizations to oversee every aspect of the implementation, mitigating external risks and enhancing accountability.
To safeguard video streams and sensitive data, the system employs strong encryption and secure communication protocols, protecting against unauthorized interception or tampering. User access is tightly regulated through clearly defined roles, configurable time limits, and mandatory two-step verification, ensuring that only authorized personnel can interact with the system and thereby reducing the risk of insider threats or credential abuse.
Additionally, Milestone separates cameras from core network components to contain any potential security breaches, thereby preventing lateral movement within the infrastructure. This isolation is a critical layer of defense that limits the scope of attacks. Moreover, video exports from the system are protected with encryption, password protection, and digital signatures, which collectively preserve the integrity and authenticity of exported footage.
Security is deeply embedded in Milestone’s values, reflecting our long-standing commitment to safeguarding critical urban infrastructure amid evolving and increasingly sophisticated threats. Through multiple layers of protection, encompassing encryption, access controls, network segmentation, and export safeguards, Milestone builds a resilient VMS solution that offers customers peace of mind and industry-leading security standards.
- How does Milestone maintain open-platform compatibility at scale?
Open-platform compatibility is a core part of Milestone’s DNA, our promise, and a key competitive advantage. We don’t aim to build everything ourselves; doing so would require constant maintenance and ultimately limit flexibility for our customers.
In today’s environment, particularly in regions with significant investments in security and infrastructure, customers need the ability to continuously deploy new technologies. Milestone’s open platform enables exactly that. By following open standards such as Open Network Video Interface Forum (ONVIF), we ensure seamless interoperability with a wide range of camera brands and devices. We continuously test and certify new devices, guaranteeing smooth integration and allowing customers to easily add new features or devices without being locked in.
Our licensing model makes it easy to add more cameras, devices, or servers across different sites as needs grow. It’s a flexible setup that supports expansion without extra complexity, while keeping the system open and compatible. This way, customers have the freedom to scale at their own pace and get lasting value from their investment.
- How do Milestone solutions align with government strategies like the UAE Vision 2031?
Milestone solutions align with government strategies such as the UAE Vision 2031 across several key pillars: society, economy, diplomacy, and ecosystem.
From a diplomatic perspective, we ensure our software complies with the regulations of different regions and countries, so it meets all local requirements.
In terms of ecosystem and digitalization, our solutions help create safer and more resilient environments. Beyond protecting people and premises from crime, they support the prevention of disasters and accidents by leveraging the latest technologies, including AI and real-time data. This enhances public safety, strengthens decision-making for government agencies, and aligns with broader national objectives.
We also focus on sustainability, offering efficient video storage and cloud options that support the UAE’s green goals. Over the past few years, strategic acquisitions have expanded our portfolio to address emerging trends and evolving customer needs. Combined with our open platform and partner ecosystem, this approach provides businesses and government agencies with the flexibility to choose the technologies that best serve them, ensuring integration, protection, and alignment with the visionary goals of UAE Vision 2031.
- How does Milestone see AI shaping the next phase of mega infrastructure projects in the region, from airports to upcoming sporting events?
AI is transforming the way we manage infrastructure and large-scale events by enabling proactive action rather than reactive responses. In many ways, it’s simple: without AI, we react; with AI, we act. The technology allows us to anticipate issues, guide people, and provide support before problems escalate, making cities and events more efficient and resilient.
In the context of smart cities, AI helps manage complex systems in advance, from traffic and mobility flows to emergency preparedness, ensuring smoother urban operations. For mega events, whether football matches, concerts, or large gatherings, AI-powered video technology improves real-time security and crowd management, helping the right people get assistance when needed, minimizing risks, and enhancing the overall experience.
Collaborative AI projects, such as training models on real-world data, create high-accuracy systems that support safer infrastructure and smarter decision-making. AI-driven analytics enable organizers and city authorities to make faster, data-backed decisions, improving operational efficiency and public safety across airports, stadiums, and urban networks.
Conclusion
With cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated and cities more interconnected, Milestone’s mission extends far beyond video management—it’s about building trust into the digital fabric of modern infrastructure. By combining secure architecture, open innovation, and AI-driven intelligence, Milestone Systems is enabling governments, enterprises, and developers to collaborate safely and scale confidently. As the Middle East prepares for the next wave of smart city and mega-event projects, Milestone’s technology and expertise are set to play a defining role in ensuring that progress and protection go hand in hand.
