Ep 86: Looking ahead to 2026

In this episode, we look ahead to 2026 and explore the trends, technologies, and challenges set to shape the year across critical communications, public safety, and mission-critical operations.We’re joined once again by the team from Informa, Alfonso, Donny, and Erin, for a wide-ranging discussion covering everything from AI and cybersecurity to interoperability, platforms, video, drones, and emerging threat vectors. What’s Coming at IWCE 2026 We kick things off with a look at IWCE 2026, marking its 50th edition and returning to Las Vegas. Highlights include:Record-breaking speaker submissions and growing momentumA near-complete agenda already liveAI appearing across sessions — not as a standalone topic, but embedded everywhereThe return of major industry voices and vendors in forceIWCE once again sets the tone for the year ahead in critical communications. AI Everywhere — Opportunity and Risk AI is a dominant theme for 2026, but not without complexity:AI-enhanced common operating pictures, alerting, and workflowsTraining, ethics, legal implications, and hallucination risksAI as both a defensive tool and a new threat vectorWe explore how AI will quietly permeate nearly every system, even when it’s not obvious from the headline. Cybersecurity: From Theory to Reality Cybersecurity remains a top priority — but the conversation is shifting:Real-world attacks driving urgency over theoretical discussionsBroadband, cloud, and remote access expanding attack surfacesZero-trust architectures becoming essential, not optionalLegacy systems like LMR now exposed through remote monitoringAI is also changing the cybersecurity landscape — for both attackers and defenders. Deepfakes, Disinformation, and Trust One of the most sobering discussions centers on AI-generated deepfakes:Fake images, video, and audio triggering real-world shutdownsPublic safety and transport systems facing new verification challengesThe evolution of “swatting” into AI-enabled disinformationWe discuss the growing need for multi-factor verification of information, combining video, sensors, telemetry, and contextual data to validate reality. Interoperability and the Shift to Platforms A major structural shift is underway:Moving from product-centric solutions to platform-based ecosystemsInteroperability evolving from point-to-point bridges to 360° platformsAPIs and standard interfaces enabling best-of-breed integrationsM&A activity accelerating platform expansionThis transition promises efficiency and flexibility — but also introduces new risks that must be managed carefully. Video Takes Center Stage Video is poised to become central to public safety operations in 2026:Body-worn cameras expanding beyond traditional vendorsDirect video to emergency servicesVideo as a core component of the common operating pictureThe convergence of video, broadband, and platforms is reshaping command and control environments. Drones, Satellites, and the Digital Airspace We explore the rapid growth of drones as first responders (DFR):Beyond visual line of sight operations gaining momentumGeofencing, remote control, and automation improving deploymentPotential use of LEO satellites as “towers in the sky”Expanding use cases in rural, mountainous, and hard-to-reach areasThis opens new possibilities for search and rescue, situational awareness, and faster response times. IoT, Telemetry, and Data Verification AI threats may actually revive IoT:Sensors as independent verification sourcesTelemetry supporting smarter grids, utilities, transport, and public safetyMulti-source validation reducing reliance on a single data inputThe future points toward authentication of information, not just people. Get Involved:Have questions or want to join the podcast? Email us at critcommscircle@omdia.com