ISS Vision: We Listen First, Localize Second, and Innovate Continuously

a&s Middle East speaks with Osama Al Zarba, newly appointed Deputy Managing Director, and Anton Gomza, the company’s new Director of Engineering & Product Strategy, about ISS’s regional vision. From tailoring solutions for the Gulf, Levant, and North Africa to building predictive AI infrastructure, they share how ISS combines local insight with global innovation to shape the future of smart security across the Middle East.

As ISS continues its growth across the Middle East, two key figures have stepped into new roles. Osama Al Zarba now serves as Deputy Managing Director, bringing operational insight and regional strategy to the forefront. Meanwhile, Anton Gomza has been promoted to Director of Engineering & Product Strategy, tasked with aligning ISS’s technical innovation with local demands. Together, they offer a dual perspective on the company’s evolving vision for the region.

Osama Al Zarba

Regional Strategy with Osama Al Zarba

a&s Middle East: How has your experience as Country Manager for Qatar prepared you for your new role as Deputy Managing Director for the Middle East?​ 

Zarba: As Country Manager for Qatar for the past 5 years, I gained vital experience for the Deputy Managing Director role, leading operations, client relations, and strategic growth in a competitive market, while developing key insights into regional dynamics, regulations, and cultures across the Middle East.

During my role, I led cross-functional teams, managed high-value projects, and also collaborated closely with regional stakeholders, which sharpened my leadership and decision-making skills. These experiences have equipped me with the regional insight and strategic vision necessary to succeed at a broader regional level. I’m confident that the knowledge and relationships I’ve built in Qatar will serve as a strong foundation for driving growth and cohesion across the Middle East portfolio.

a&s Middle East:  What are your strategic priorities for ISS in the Middle East, considering the diverse markets within the region? ​

Zarba: The Middle East is not a one-size-fits-all region. Gulf countries differ significantly from the Levant or North Africa. The GCC leverages smart city solutions to enhance urban infrastructure, improve public services, and drive sustainable economic growth through technologies like IoT, AI, and big data analytics.

Additionally, the public sector is a major employer and client in the GCC. Therefore, I intend to position ISS as a trusted partner mainly for ministries and state-owned entities and to offer customized compliance solutions in line with local regulations.

As per the Levant Region and North Africa, it is more cost-sensitive markets focused on scalable, efficient solutions, perhaps with bundled services to drive value.

a&s Middle East: Can you share with us the core vision and mission of ISS? What sets the company apart in the field of video analytics and smart security solutions?

Zarba: At ISS, our vision is to redefine the way the world views security — by integrating intelligence into every video frame. Our mission is to empower organizations with cutting-edge, AI-powered solutions that enhance safety, streamline operations, and support smarter decision-making. This spans across Smart Cities, Transportation, Critical Infrastructure, and beyond.

What sets us apart is not only our deep technological roots — we’ve been pioneers since 1996 — but our global perspective paired with strong regional commitment. We’re proud to offer a U.S.-engineered, scalable platform that adapts to the unique needs of each market. Here in the Middle East, we listen first, localize second, and innovate continuously.

We are proud of our regional presence and the way we operate in our operating markets, including the UAE, KSA, Qatar, Egypt, and North Africa. Our management culture is one that genuinely empowers the local team — encouraging initiative, growth, and ownership. We believe that the best results come when those closest to the market are trusted to lead. That’s why our team here doesn’t just represent ISS — they shape it.

a&s Middle East: Where do you see ISS in the Middle Eastern market over the next five years, and what steps will you take to achieve that vision?

Zarba: Since its inception in the Middle East eight years ago, with its first office in the UAE, ISS has quickly emerged as a competitive force in the industry. Despite entering the market long after its rivals, the company has successfully positioned itself on par with established competitors.

Over time, ISS has cultivated a diverse and impressive portfolio of clients, ranging from government entities to private sector users, thanks to its team’s deep understanding of market dynamics and regulations. Our strategy remains focused on delivering cutting-edge AI solutions that cater to the ever-evolving demands of the market. With a state-of-the-art R&D facility, we are able to tailor our offerings to meet the unique needs of every project.

The best results come when those closest to the market are trusted to lead – that’s why our team here doesn’t just represent ISS — they shape it

By focusing on this strategy, ISS can meet the specific challenges and opportunities within the Middle East market, delivering value to clients in a region that prioritizes security, innovation, and infrastructure development.

Anton Gomza

Technology and Vision with Anton Gomza 

a&s Middle East: Anton, ISS has been a pioneer in AI-powered video analytics since 1996. How has the industry evolved over the years, and how has ISS adapted to these changes?

Gomza: The shift from simple video recording to intelligent analytics has been extraordinary. In the early 2000s, video was passive. Today, it’s proactive — with AI recognizing faces, reading license plates, and detecting incidents in real time.

ISS didn’t just adapt; we helped lead this evolution. Long before AI became a buzzword, we were developing machine learning and deep learning algorithms — even before those terms were mainstream. With over two decades of experience building AI models, we’ve also generated vast, high-quality datasets to train and refine our analytics, resulting in exceptional accuracy and reliability in real-world conditions.

Our SecurOS® platform has featured built-in analytics since its inception, and with every generation, we’ve pushed the boundaries further. Today, it integrates edge analytics, deep learning, and real-time data fusion — powering everything from smart intersections to predictive safety in industrial environments. And we’re just getting started.

a&s Middle East:  The SecurOS® Video Intelligence Platform is a key part of ISS’s offerings. Could you elaborate on its main features and how it enhances security operations?

Gomza: SecurOS® is much more than a traditional video management system — it’s a powerful, intelligent platform designed for mission-critical environments. Scalable from a few sites to networks of over several hundred thousand cameras, it delivers enterprise-grade reliability with features like high availability, native failover, and real-time dashboards for comprehensive situational awareness.

What makes SecurOS® truly stand out is its open architecture. While it comes with a full suite of native AI-driven video analytics — including facial recognition, object detection, behavior analysis, license plate recognition, and more — it also serves as a host platform for third-party AI modules. This is especially relevant today, with the rapid emergence of new, specialized AI algorithms that require a reliable, scalable VMS backbone to thrive. SecurOS® provides that backbone.

The platform also integrates seamlessly with a wide range of data sources and IoT devices, creating a unified command environment where operators not only see what’s happening but can understand and respond intelligently, reducing false alarms, improving response times, and ultimately increasing operational efficiency.

In many of the world’s most critical infrastructure projects — including ports, airports, highways, and energy sites — SecurOS® isn’t just a part of the system. It is the system. A trusted, open, and intelligent foundation on which modern security strategies are built.

a&s Middle East:  What are some of the most common security challenges businesses face today, and how does ISS help address them?

Gomza: Many organizations struggle with fragmented systems, a lack of real-time insight, and growing volumes of data they can’t interpret quickly.

ISS addresses this with unified, AI-driven platforms that bring clarity and actionability. Whether it’s monitoring a border, a stadium, or a smart city intersection, our solutions deliver insights — not just images. We empower our clients to prevent threats instead of reacting to them.

The Middle East is not a one-size-fits-all region. Gulf countries differ significantly from the Levant or North Africa

a&s Middle East: What are your thoughts on the future of video surveillance and AI-driven security solutions? How do you see ISS evolving in the next few years?

Gomza: We believe the future lies in proactive, predictive security. AI will not only recognize risks but also anticipate them. Integration with smart infrastructure, 5G, and big data will redefine what’s possible.

For ISS, the roadmap includes deeper AI capabilities, more localized solutions, and stronger partnerships across the GCC and Africa. We’re also committed to training local talent and supporting digital transformation in line with UAE Vision 2031 and KSA Vision 2030.

In the early 2000s, video was passive. Today, it’s proactive — with AI recognizing faces, reading license plates, and detecting incidents in real time