How 2025 Policy Shifts Are Reshaping the Security Industry
By Taylor Criddle, VP of Advocacy and Public Affairs
If 2024 was the year technology outpaced regulation, 2025 became the year regulation tried to catch up. Lawmakers and federal agencies across the country began taking a closer look at the systems and networks that power modern security and life safety. Every new rule, proposal, or bill had the potential to reshape how our industry operates, and ESA has stayed engaged to make sure the people who protect lives and property have a voice in those conversations.
One of the biggest issues this year came from the FCC. The agency has been weighing a proposal from NextNav to take over nearly 60 percent of the Lower 900 MHz spectrum. These are the same frequencies used every day by alarm, fire, and medical alert systems. ESA, along with partners at SIA and TMA, pushed back hard on this plan because technical analysis showed it could cause real interference and jeopardize system reliability. That fight has underscored just how connected spectrum policy is to public safety, and why our industry must stay active whenever those airwaves are up for discussion.
Another major topic has been the ongoing wave of state Right to Repair legislation. On paper, these bills sound simple, but in practice they raise serious safety and compliance concerns for security and fire systems. ESA has been working to help policymakers understand the difference between fixing a phone and servicing a life safety device. These systems are highly regulated, require trained professionals, and are often subject to building and fire codes. Allowing unqualified repairs could open the door to security risks and liability for both consumers and businesses.
Not all of this year’s developments were defensive, though. The passage of the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act was a major win for training and professional development. By allowing 529 education savings to be used for technical certifications, the law recognizes the essential role skilled trades play in protecting communities. Several states also moved forward with licensing reforms that treat ESA’s National Training School credentials as equivalent to NICET, giving technicians new opportunities to advance their careers without unnecessary red tape.
Looking ahead, 2026 is shaping up to be just as active. Issues like artificial intelligence, data privacy, and new workforce regulations are already appearing on legislative calendars. ESA will continue to make sure that innovation and safety advance together, and that lawmakers hear directly from the professionals who make this industry work every day.
