For years, command-and-control meant one thing: a large centralized room, a wall of operators and a single towering videowall. That model still exists. But it no longer defines the work.
Operational environments are getting more distributed. Organizations are trading the one-room approach for connected command-and-control nodes that share real-time information across the enterprise. Executive leadership, regional operations centers, watch centers and field teams increasingly need the same operational picture, even when they sit hundreds of miles apart.
That shift changes what you build. Instead of designing one big control room, you’re building ecosystems of connected spaces that behave as a single environment. It calls for secure networking, interoperable AVoIP platforms and the ability to route the right information to the right people at the right time.
The customer base is widening, too. Public safety, utilities, transportation, healthcare and critical infrastructure now want the same fast, informed decision-making that used to be the domain of the military and intelligence community.
The 2026 Command-and-Control Deep Dive Report from CI+SSI maps where this market is heading, backed by exclusive research data and insights from people doing the work every day.
What the Report Covers
The report pulls together CI+SSI’s research study and perspectives from a strong lineup of integration and technology voices:
- Sean Wargo, Principal, Apogee Insights
- Brad Righi, President, Constant Technologies
- Dan Gundry, Regional Vice President, CTI, and Vice Chairman, Command+Control Alliance
- Brian Blumhardt, EVP of Mission Critical Workspaces, CTI
- Jason Jaworski, CEO, Relentless AV
- James Jennings, Business Development Representative, Solotech
- Eric Evans, Director of Mission Critical Operations Environments, Visual Sound
Here’s a look at the themes they dig into.
The Shift to Distributed Nodes and AVoIP
The videowall is no longer the focal point. As Blumhardt puts it, these rooms aren’t just about a display anymore. The real need is helping teams make sense of more information, from more systems, in less time.
That’s pushing the market away from matrix switchers and dedicated hardware toward secure AVoIP platforms that scale, maintain and integrate with existing IT infrastructure. The report breaks down where adoption stands and what it means for how you design.
Cybersecurity as a Constant
Every connected device has to meet strict security requirements, and AV systems are no exception. The report covers how integrators design around zero-trust principles, secure access paths and the compliance demands, from RMF to TAA, that now shape federal and enterprise projects.
Operator-First Design
Success rarely starts with equipment. It starts with how the room operates: who sits where, what they’re responsible for and what they need to see first. The report explores why resilient infrastructure, sightlines, acoustics and cognitive load matter as much as the displays themselves.
DVLED vs. LCD
No single display format wins outright. CI+SSI’s research shows direct-view LED (DVLED) as the most deployed videowall technology, the primary choice for 44.4% of respondents. But LCD remains a practical, serviceable and budget-friendly answer in many rooms. The report lays out how to weigh use case, viewing distance, budget and lifecycle cost.
Recurring Service Models
Support has become part of the project, not an afterthought. Clients want uptime, predictable service and a clear plan for what comes next. The report shows how integrators are turning installations into long-term relationships built on preventive maintenance, firmware validation and lifecycle refreshes.
Why It Matters Now
Demand for command-and-control work is growing across its core verticals. The harder problem is execution: coordinating across operations, IT, security, facilities and leadership while future-proofing rooms whose technology moves on a much shorter cycle than the space itself.
The integrators who win these projects understand the network, the compliance requirements and the operators. This report gives you a clear read on all three.
Get the Report
Read the full 2026 Command-and-Control Deep Dive from CI+SSI for the complete research data, expert insights and practical guidance on where this market is headed.
