Verkada’s May 2025 product update brings a wide range of new features and hardware across the entire platform. From a brand-new two-camera multisensor to dramatically expanded alarm system capabilities, here is everything you need to know about this release.
Cameras: New Hardware, Smarter Search & Enhanced Privacy
CY53-E Two-Camera Multisensor
The headliner for cameras this month is the CY53-E Two-Camera Multisensor, which features two independent and adjustable image sensors in a single device. This enables bidirectional monitoring from a single installation point — ideal for covering hallways, corridors, and other areas where you need eyes in two directions without mounting two separate cameras.
People Lists & Smart Lists
Organizations can now organize individuals of interest into People Lists with granular admin permissions for viewing and management on a per-list basis. Taking this further, Smart Lists let you create pre-approved groups for specific building areas. When someone who is not on the approved list enters a sensitive zone — like a pharmacy or bank vault — the system flags them automatically.
History Player Search Improvements
Vehicle search has been expanded to work across wide areas spanning multiple city blocks, complementing the existing people search functionality. This makes it significantly easier to track vehicles of interest across large deployments.
AI-Powered Search in More Languages
AI-powered search now supports Spanish, French, German, Japanese, and Korean alongside English, making the platform more accessible for global organizations.
Helix Alerts
A powerful new capability, Helix Alerts let organizations define custom criteria and receive real-time alerts when events of interest occur. This feature combines third-party application data with camera footage for a more complete picture of what is happening on-site.
Granular Privacy Regions
Privacy controls have been significantly enhanced with a 60x60 grid (upgraded from the previous 10x10), giving administrators much finer control over which areas of a camera’s view are masked.
Improved Camera Replacement Support
When a camera needs to be replaced through the RMA process, historic onboard footage is now maintained — so you do not lose critical recordings during hardware swaps.
Network & Security: Government-Ready and More Flexible
FIPS-Validated Devices
For government and high-security deployments, Verkada now offers FIPS-validated devices: the CD63-F and CD63-E-F 4K dome cameras, plus the CC700-F Command Connector, all supporting FedRAMP Ready (Moderate) encryption standards.
Command Connector Dual Ethernet Support
Coming in June 2025, the Command Connector gains a second Ethernet port that enables isolated camera network connections. This reduces reconfiguration requirements and simplifies network architecture for complex deployments.
802.1x Network Authentication
Organizations with strict network security requirements can now use 802.1x support for network-level authentication on Verkada devices.
Non-Verkada PTZ Controls via Command Connector
You can now control third-party PTZ cameras through the Command interface using Xbox controllers, joysticks, or on-screen controls — making it easier to integrate existing camera infrastructure into your Verkada deployment.
Connectivity: GovCloud & Wi-Fi Enhancements
Cellular Gateways in GovCloud
The GC31 and GC31-E cellular gateways are now supported on AWS GovCloud, extending Verkada’s connectivity solutions to government environments.
Pre-Change Wi-Fi Passwords
The GW31-E gateway now allows you to add new Wi-Fi passwords in advance, preventing downtime during scheduled password changes — a small but meaningful improvement for network administrators.
Hidden SSID Support
The GW31-E can now connect to hidden network SSIDs, adding flexibility for organizations that do not broadcast their network names.
Alarms: Major Expansion in Capabilities
Access Control Door Triggers
One of the most impactful alarm updates: you can now trigger alarms based on door opened, held open, or forced open events from your access control system — no extra sensors or wiring needed. This tightly integrates your alarm and access control systems for stronger security.
PTZ Camera Triggers
Person detection in a PTZ camera’s field of view can now trigger alarm events, bridging the gap between video surveillance and intrusion detection.
LAN-Connected Keypads
The BK22 keypad can now connect to BP52 panels via LAN, making it much easier to deploy keypads in large-scale environments where traditional wiring would be impractical.
Daisy-Chaining Expanders
You can now daisy-chain up to four BE32 expanders per RS485 port on the BP52 panel, allowing up to 160 wired sensors total per panel — a massive increase in capacity for larger buildings.
Increased Wireless Sensor Limit
The BP52, BE32, BK22, WH52, and WH32 (hub mode) now each support up to 160 wireless sensors, giving you far more flexibility in sensor placement without running wires.
BZ32 Siren Strobe
The new BZ32 Siren Strobe combines a siren and strobe light in a single device that can be deployed indoors or outdoors with either wired or wireless connections.
Automated Announcements via BZ11
When an alarm triggers, the system can now automatically play custom recordings or AI-generated text-to-speech announcements on BZ11 horn speakers — adding an active deterrence layer to your alarm response.
System Health Alerts
Stay informed with automatic notifications for offline devices, backup power failover, and supervised wiring issues, so you know immediately when something in your alarm system needs attention.
Audit Logs for Alarm Changes
All user actions that affect alarm system behavior are now captured in Command audit logs, providing a complete digital trail of system changes.
Alarms Now Available in Canada
Verkada’s alarm system is now available in Canada as of May 15th, expanding the platform’s reach north of the border.
Access Control: Better Admin Tools & Mobile Improvements
Improved User Search & Filtering
Admins can now filter across 20+ attributes and refine their user searches for more precise results — a major time-saver when managing large user populations.
Bulk Door Settings
Need to change settings across multiple doors at once? Bulk door settings let you make configuration changes across multiple doors and sites simultaneously, eliminating tedious one-by-one adjustments.
Favorite Doors on Pass App (Android)
Android users can now favorite doors in the Verkada Pass app (a feature previously available only on iOS), keeping your most-used doors at the top of the list regardless of proximity.
Improved Pass App Onboarding
The first-time login experience for Verkada Pass has been enhanced for a more frictionless BLE unlock and app experience, making it easier for new users to get up and running.
Intercoms: Dedicated Phone Numbers & Emergency Calling
Unique Phone Numbers for Intercoms
Each intercom can now be associated with its own dedicated phone number, enabling direct inbound and outbound calling from each device.
E911 Calling
In a major safety enhancement, intercoms now support direct E911 calling that routes to local 9-1-1 providers using geo-appropriate phone numbers. This is especially important for lobbies, parking garages, and other locations where emergency access is critical.
TD53 Emergency Label Kit
To support emergency calling deployments, Verkada now offers the TD53 Emergency Label Kit with “Emergency” labels and red button covers for intercoms configured for emergency use.
LPR Data for Intercoms
License plate data detected during intercom calls is now integrated into the receiving and call history experience, giving front desk and security staff more context about who is at the door.
Scheduled Firmware Updates
Organizations can now select specific time windows for intercom firmware updates rather than having them pushed automatically, reducing disruption during business hours.
Workplace & Guest Management: Smarter Visitor Experiences
Expanded On-Demand Credentialing
Visitors can now receive entry codes or QR codes for door access, with the ability to open doors by scanning a QR code against a pre-existing reader — streamlining the guest entry process.
Guest Wi-Fi Integration
Through a Cisco Meraki Wi-Fi integration, visitors receive a unique username and password for instant guest network access after check-in. No more manually handing out Wi-Fi credentials.
Enhanced Identity Document Verification
The system can now scan both the front and back of US-issued IDs to validate document authenticity, adding an extra layer of security to visitor check-in.
Document Uploads & Profile Management
Volunteers and frequent visitors can now upload certifications during check-in, with customizable expiration controls that prompt profile updates when documents need renewal.
Guest in Command Mobile App
The Guest management experience has achieved full product parity on mobile, so you can manage visitors from your smartphone with the same capabilities as the desktop interface.
Guest in Alert Inbox
Guest events are now natively integrated into the Command alert inbox, providing unified cross-product alerting in a single view.
PowerSchool Integration (Beta)
For educational institutions, a new PowerSchool integration enables automated two-way attendance data synchronization, eliminating the need for double-entry between systems.
Two-Tone Badge Printing
The Brother QL-820NWB printer (Verkada SKU: ACCX-PRT-1) now supports dual-color printing with specialized thermal rolls, allowing organizations to create customized visitor badges with more visual distinction.
Command Platform: Better Navigation & Extended Audit Logs
Improved Settings Navigation
Admin and organization settings pages have been redesigned with clearer headers and more powerful search functionality, making it faster to find and adjust the settings you need.
Extended Audit Log History
You can now access up to 90 days of historical audit data, giving you a longer window for compliance reviews, investigations, and system change tracking.
SMS Carrier Transition
Effective May 15, Verkada is transitioning SMS delivery to Twilio with new sender numbers for US and Canada. International customers will see “Verkada” as the sender name.
Enhanced Mobile Alerting
The Command mobile app now supports alerts for Guest, Alarms, and Helix events, along with expanded support for LPR and Floorplans — putting more of your security ecosystem at your fingertips.
Want to Learn More?
As an official Verkada Gold Partner, Blue Cap IT can help you take full advantage of every feature in this update — whether you’re looking to deploy new cameras, upgrade your access control, or enhance your security infrastructure.
Reach out to the Blue Cap IT Sales Team today to discuss how these new capabilities can work for your organization:
- Phone: (410) 858-4031
- Email: info@bluecapit.com
- Online: Contact Us