Recognizing Fredrik Nilsson for Technology Leadership and the Evolution of Network Video
- 21 hours ago
- 3 min read
LSA sat down with 2025 Top 40 honoree Fredrik Nilsson to dip into his 25+ years of innovation and thought leadership. Born in Sweden, he has served as Vice President, Americas, at Axis Communications since 1996.
Fredrik is an active participant in and promoter of industry associations. In 2016, he received the prestigious George R. Lippert Memorial Award in recognition of his long-term service to SIA and the security industry, the impact of his efforts on behalf of SIA and the industry, and his integrity, leadership, and diplomacy in industry dealings. He was inducted into the Security Hall of Fame in 2017. Fredrik is also the author of Intelligent Network Video, published by CRC Press, now in its third edition. Fredrik earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the Lund Institute of Technology and completed postgraduate studies in economics.
LSA: Throughout your career, you've seen—and helped drive—the transformation from analog CCTV with DVRs and videotapes to high-res networked digital video with advanced analytics, AI, cloud accessibility, etc. What is the next major shift in video?
FN: Security budgets will shift from manual labor to technology. Today, 80% of security investment is in manual labor, such as guard services, installation, monitoring, and system maintenance. With the advent of real analytics, AI, large video models, and cloud systems, we believe the next frontier is technology, which will drive rapid growth and enable broader use of AI.
LSA: How about new uses of the technology?
FN: Since the advent of AI and cloud, and the improving quality of cameras and analytics, we are seeing increasing use of security cameras for business intelligence and operational efficiency beyond security, such as license plate monitoring and automating processes in manufacturing and at retailers. The cloud and AI are driving growth and opportunity.
LSA: What are you most proud of in your distinguished career?
FN: Our culture at Axis. In my 25+ years in the industry, we have stayed true to our technology partners, integrators, distributors, and staff. When we developed the first IP camera in 1996, we thought transformation from analog to networked video would be quicker. But it was slow because the industry is complicated, and it takes time to convert. I’m most proud of how we stayed true to converting the market to network video, by working with our channel partners, through challenges such as the influx of cheap products from Asia and during the Covid pandemic. We stayed true to the long-term goal and kept executing, focusing on innovation and quality. While other companies executed layoffs and cutbacks, we kept executing our strategic mission.
LSA: Besides developing the first IP camera, what technical innovations are you proud of?
FN: Axis used H.264 compression first. Now it’s the standard in security. Then we developed the proprietary Zipstream compression technology, which cut storage and bandwidth in half, still using H.264. We are now the first to use AV1 compression in cameras, further decreasing storage and bandwidth needs and increasing the potential resolution. These innovations lift our whole industry.
LSA: What’s your best piece of wisdom for dealing with customers?
FN: Listen to what customers are seeking. You have to have big ears and maintain interaction. Axis uses our 35 “Experience Centers” worldwide as meeting places to help us solve their current challenges.
LSA: Favorite conference?
FN: The Consumer Electronics show. We learned about the AV1 compression format there five+ years ago, before it made its way to security.
LSA: Favorite podcast?
FN: Acquired is a podcast that explains how great companies are built, such as via leadership and strategy.
LSA: Favorite book?
FN: The Infinite Game, by Simon Sinek. It’s point is that business can’t be compared to sports, because sports have the same predictable competitors, and sporting games and matches have set rules and endings. Neither is true in business. To become stronger, more innovative, and more resilient, businesses have to play the much longer game—the infinite game.