The State of Safety and Security in Latin America
Zenitel’s Sergio Mendes, LATAM Regional Leader for Safety & Security, shares his perspective on the evolving safety and security landscape in Latin America. He highlights the region’s growth potential, the rising demand for unified critical communication, and Zenitel’s strong brand presence. Sergio Mendes discusses the impact of Zenitel Connect Pro, the newly launched industry's first unified critical communication platform, in simplifying integration and enabling audio intelligence, challenges with cybersecurity adoption, and how Zenitel is helping sytem integrators and the end customers in achieving cybersecure communications that is compliant to regional standards.
It is not new the notion that Latin America is a region known for its instability and risk, from a business perspective. Nevertheless, it is also a very rich region in natural resources with large economies on the top 50 World GDP list (such as Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile & Peru) and one in the top 10, Brazil. It has an obvious very high potential for growth that needs to be looked at.
Like many growing markets, it aims on the knowledge and technology coming from stabler economies to fast track its development and adjust their own initiatives for expansion and innovation. The Security and Safety landscape is no different – there is strong presence of multinational manufacturers and developers, such as Zenitel and our main technology partners.
Being expanding economies, it is common that projects developed either by the government or private companies many times suffer from budget restrictions, allowing the acceptance of lower technology solutions, under the pretext they will “fit better”.
''Here we have a big opportunity to teach the mistake of this idea, showing Zenitel’s values of better Total Cost of Ownership and Sustainability and demonstrating how initially supposed “overbudget” solutions are actually the less expensive ones over the years and will also allow for much better Return of the Investment, being much more future proof,'' says Sergio.
Mr. Mendes adds that Zenitel's biggest success lies in the segments where there is a high focus in total cost of ownership of critical communication solution.
“Transportation (especially Tunnels and Highways) has been historically the leading vertical by far, with Industry and Corporate and Building Security following with around half as much success. These have been growing faster lately though, combined with Public Safety and some specific corporate markets like Datacenters and Distribution Centers.”
Zenitel’s Growing Brand Recognition in the Region
A decade ago, Zenitel was still a relatively unknown player in Latin America. Today, Mendes says the brand has secured a firm position.
“I’m proud to be able to say that Zenitel is now an established brand in the Latin American market. Our values are well understood by most of the ecosystem: they regard Zenitel as the best audio product for critical security and industrial safety.”
Zenitel Connect Pro and its Impact on LATAM Partners
The introduction of Zenitel Connect Pro is set to further strengthen Zenitel’s position in the region. Mr. Mendes highlights two major benefits: simplicity and innovation.
“Zenitel Connect Pro is indeed easy to learn, commission, and maintain. Our product team did an amazing job in shrinking the learning curve to implement a system with a high capacity such as Zenitel Connect Pro,” he explains.
Now, LATAM business landscape for security is many times, like the market itself, very fluid. We see new security companies winning big projects and established big integrators losing personnel. To be able to continue to provide our amazing integration capabilities and high quality with complimentary certification that can be undergone online will certainly be of high value to our integrator base, mitigating the impact of this market fluidity.
Zenitel Connect Pro also opens doors to innovations, including audio intelligence and analytics capabilities.
“We are already experimenting with these technologies together with our customers and helping them solve their challenges. For example, we are working on fight and scream detection, and gunshot detection. These initiatives not only expand business opportunities but also reinforce Zenitel’s role as a pioneer in intelligent audio,“ adds Sergio.
Cybersecurity: A Contradictory Reality in LATAM
Cybersecurity is becoming an integral part of the safety and security dialogue in Latin America. At Zenitel, we have been instrumental in driving these conversations and raising awareness around the importance of robust cybersecurity practices. With Zenitel Connect Pro, we have taken a major step forward by designing the platform from the ground up with a true security-by-design approach.
Yet, the reality in the region presents challenges. A strong focus on CAPEX often overshadows cybersecurity considerations when suppliers are selected. This is especially evident in audio systems, where many stakeholders fail to recognize the risks of cyberattacks.
“Audio systems can serve as a gateway for cyberattacks because they are often integrated with other critical systems, such as access control,” explains Sergio Mendes. “As these solutions embrace IP technology and become more deeply embedded in integrated security architectures, their exposure to cyber threats increases. For example, an intercom tied to an access control system could be exploited by hackers to gain access to sensitive areas.”
Zenitel distinguishes itself by making cybersecurity a non-negotiable requirement. Through the Zenitel Academy, we offer extensive training resources to raise awareness and ensure the market is equipped with knowledge. Coupled with solutions that meet the highest standards, this dual commitment to education and innovation positions Zenitel as a trusted partner for organizations navigating the evolving cybersecurity landscape.
The region is poised for accelerated technology adoption, and cybersecurity will soon stand at the forefront of safety and security strategies.
A Project Making a Real Difference: Bogotá’s Transmilenio
Even though much of our focus is on innovation, new features, and advanced audio technology, it’s important to remember the simplest truth of all: Zenitel's aims to help bringing safety, protection, and peace of mind to people in their everyday lives.
One of the most compelling examples of Zenitel’s impact in the region is a project in Bogotá, Colombia. Through Zenitel’s regional Center of Excellence, C3 Communications, the company partnered with Transmilenio, the city’s bus mass transportation system, to pilot TCIS-2 intercoms as panic buttons in bus stations.
The project addresses high crime rates, with a particular focus on gender-based violence. “The pilot is running for some months now and we already have early metrics from Transmilenio showing that the incidents dropped at least 10%, with the program barely beginning,” Sergio shares.
The initiative has drawn media attention and, more importantly, tangible results. “It makes us really proud to be protecting people, especially women in such a potentially horrible situation.”