Hik-Connect 7 and HIKO AI: What It Means for Business
2026-10-03
On 29 September 2026, Hikvision announced Hik-Connect 7, a major update to its cloud platform for managing security devices. The main addition is HIKO, an AI engine that works behind a redesigned interface. It aims to make everyday security tasks faster, especially for people who aren't security specialists.
What's new in Hik-Connect 7
Hikvision has grouped the changes into three areas.
AI Guardian (monitoring and response). You no longer have to choose from a fixed list of alarm types. Instead, you describe the situation you want to be alerted about in everyday language, and HIKO applies that rule to future events. A feature called Focus lets you pick a known vehicle, a time window and a location. The system then follows that vehicle across cameras, puts the sightings in order and writes a summary. AI Deterrence issues warnings in stages, up to a message that describes the specific person or vehicle and where they are. AI Summary combines one camera channel's people, vehicles and alerts from the past 24 hours into a single daily overview.
AI Search (investigations). With Video Q&A, staff can ask a question about a scene instead of scrubbing through hours of recordings. Fusion Search brings video, access control events and number plate data together, so you can trace someone's movements without checking three separate systems.
AI Assistant (administration). You give one instruction in plain language, such as setting up visitor access for a particular vehicle. HIKO then completes the related setup steps that would normally be configured one at a time.
How it works
HIKO runs in Hikvision's cloud, not on equipment at your site. Hikvision says existing Team Mode and Personal Mode users will get it as an update to the Hik-Connect app and portal they already use. The update also covers devices already connected to Hik-Connect, and there is no separate HIKO hardware to buy.
What it means for your business
- Less time reviewing footage. For many small businesses and property managers, the real cost of CCTV is the hours spent hunting for a clip after an incident. Plain-language search and daily summaries are designed to cut that time.
- More from your existing equipment. Because the upgrade arrives through software, sites already on Hik-Connect may get new features without replacing hardware. However, the announcement doesn't list which cameras, recorders or features are supported, or whether any functions involve ongoing fees. Confirm these details before you plan around them.
- Connected systems work better. Fusion Search is most useful when cameras, access control and number plate recognition are all on the same platform. If you're planning an upgrade, it makes sense to design these systems together rather than as separate projects.
- Think about privacy. With cloud-based AI, footage and event data are processed off site. Check how your data is handled, and review your privacy and NSW workplace surveillance obligations before turning new features on.
- Good basics still matter. AI tools can only work with the footage they get. Camera placement, lighting and a reliable internet connection still affect the results.
Is it available in Australia?
Hikvision says the rollout is global, but timing and features can vary by region and device. Unotel can check whether your equipment is compatible.
Talk to Unotel Security
For advice on Hik-Connect 7, upgrading your cameras or CCTV installation in Sydney, or connecting access control to the same platform, call Unotel Security on 02 4613 5840 for advice or a quote.