As part of an online miniseries, Steve Matthews, Associate Director of International Contracts, Black Onyx Concepts discusses his industry predictions for 2026.
Can you tell me a bit about yourself, your job role and how long you have been at the company?
My name is Steve Matthews and I currently serve as the Associate Director – International Contracts at Black Onyx Concepts.
I’ve been with the organisation for 18 months since leaving my position within the GardaWorld Regional Management Team (RMT) in Iraq. During my time at Black Onyx Concepts, I’ve been fortunate to contribute to both our marketing and long-term strategic initiatives, including our day-to-day operational excellence.
My primary role consists of business development within the UK and International with a strong focus on expanding Black Onyx Concepts and our training arm of the company, Black Onyx Academy, into the International Market.
What motivates me most is the opportunity to work with a talented team of primarily military veterans that shares a commitment to delivering trusted, resilient and future-ready services.
Since joining Black Onyx Concepts, we have forged contractual partnerships with multiple international business partners with a recent highlight being the successful delivery of Highfield accredited training services in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Basra, Southern Iraq.
Black Onyx Concepts has also successfully deployed a security services contract at short notice to Belgium to support a global client.
What are some of the key trends and predictions you think we will see in the security industry in 2026?
As we look ahead to 2026, several trends are set to shape the security landscape.
First, AI-driven threat detection will continue to accelerate with organisations shifting from reactive measures to proactive, predictive security models.
The use of real-time analytics, automated response tools and adaptive learning systems will become standard practice.
Second, we will see a heightened focus on convergence between physical and cyber security.
With more connected devices and integrated systems, businesses will need unified governance models that address risk holistically rather than in silos.
Third, regulatory expectations will grow significantly, especially around data protection, resilience planning and third-party risk management.
Organisations will be expected not only to comply but to demonstrate transparency and accountability in measurable ways.
This will create a significant business space for Compliance teams to ensure organisations become certified and adhere to the relevant ISO’s.
I believe there will be a strong requirement for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, in order to combat the increased daily risks within the UK, such as the significant up-tick in knife crime incidents across the UK.
Black Onyx Academy is proud to deliver the Highfield Level 2 Project S.A.L.T. workshop to corporates, community and youth groups.
Finally, the industry will experience continued demand for skilled security professionals and a greater emphasis on cross-disciplinary expertise, combining technical capability with strategic risk understanding.
What is one piece of advice you would give organisations and professionals as they head into 2026?
My key piece of advice is to embrace security and training as a continuous, organisation-wide responsibility rather than a single function or project.
The evolving threat landscape requires adaptability, collaboration and a culture where security awareness is embedded at every level.
Invest in people, not just technology, empower teams with accredited training, clear processes and shared accountability.
Organisations that prioritise resilience, cultivate strong partnerships and remain agile in their approach will be best positioned to navigate uncertainty and build long-term trust with clients and stakeholders.
I strongly believe it is important for businesses to be innovative in approach, creating bespoke solutions to not only meet client expectations, but also exceed client expectations.
