Verkada’s November 2025 product update brings significant new capabilities across cameras, alarms, access control, intercoms, and workplace management. From AI-powered verbal deterrence that actively warns intruders to government-grade access control hardware built for secure environments, this release has something for every organization. Here’s the full breakdown.
Cameras: Smarter Monitoring & Sleeker Hardware
Animal Detection
Verkada cameras now support dedicated animal detection, creating sighting records and sending customizable alerts when wildlife is spotted on camera feeds. This is especially useful for facilities in rural or suburban areas where animal activity can trigger false alarms or pose safety concerns. With animal-specific detection, your team can distinguish between genuine security events and wildlife passing through.
Alert Trends Dashboard Widget
A new Alert Trends dashboard widget visualizes camera alert frequency over time, giving security teams the ability to analyze patterns and identify trends across their entire infrastructure. Whether you’re tracking after-hours motion events or monitoring high-traffic areas, this tool makes it easy to spot operational patterns at a glance.
Four-Camera Multisensor Recessed Ceiling Mount
The CH53-E and CH63-E multisensor camera models now support flush recessed ceiling installation. This provides a more discreet, minimalist look that blends seamlessly into professional environments like corporate offices, retail spaces, and hospitality settings — without sacrificing coverage.
Alarms: Proactive, Intelligent Threat Response
AI-Powered Deterrence (Beta)
One of the standout features in this release is AI-powered deterrence for Verkada alarms. The system can now generate automated verbal warnings that incorporate environmental context — for example, referencing what it detects in real time. If unauthorized activity persists, the warnings automatically escalate. This moves alarm response from reactive to proactive, giving intruders a clear signal that they’ve been detected before security personnel even arrive.
Door Held Open (DHO) Alarms
Door Held Open alarms are now available for both wired and wireless sensors. This feature enables rapid response when exterior doors — including non-access-controlled entrances — remain open longer than expected. It’s particularly valuable for schools and facilities where maintaining secure perimeters is critical.
Self-Monitored Response
For non-intrusion alerts like water leaks and facility access notifications, Verkada now supports self-monitored response. These alerts bypass monthly monitoring limits and notify designated contacts directly without involving third-party monitoring agents — reducing costs while keeping your team informed about the events that matter to them.
Duress Codes
Organizations like banks and high-security facilities can now establish location-specific duress codes — keycodes that disarm the alarm system as expected while silently triggering a background alarm for security personnel. From the outside, everything appears normal, but help is already on the way.
Silent Alarms
Panic button responses can now be configured with zero audio output, eliminating talk-down messages and keypad notifications entirely. This enables covert threat reporting in situations where drawing attention to the alarm activation could put people at risk.
Arm/Disarm Reports
Coming December 17th, a new Arm/Disarm Reports feature gives administrators visibility into system activation patterns across all sites. This is an essential compliance tool for ensuring perimeter coverage is maintained and identifying gaps in operational procedures.
Access Control: Government-Grade Security
Government-Grade Access Control Hardware
Verkada introduces two new controllers (AC12-G and AC62-G) and two new readers (AD34-G and AD64-G) purpose-built for government and high-security deployments. These devices support deployment in both standard AWS and AWS GovCloud environments with dedicated licensing, meeting the stringent requirements of government agencies and regulated industries.
Two-Person Unlock
For sensitive areas like server rooms, vaults, or restricted zones, Verkada now supports two-person unlock. This requires simultaneous credential validation from two authorized individuals before a door will release — ensuring that no single person can access high-security spaces alone.
Intercoms: Better Communication, Easier Access
TS12 Square Audio Intercom
Verkada expands its intercom lineup with the TS12 Square Audio Intercom, available in three variations: TS12-N, TS12-N-RB, and TS12-N-R2B. These audio-only units are optimized for high-noise and vandalism-prone locations, delivering reliable communication in challenging environments where video intercoms may not be necessary.
QR Code Guest Check-In
Visitors can now scan Verkada Guest-generated QR codes at video intercoms to gain temporary access — no phone calls or staff intervention required. This streamlines the check-in experience for both visitors and front desk teams, especially at high-traffic entry points.
Visit Key
Administrators can now issue contactless, time-limited digital credentials (QR codes) for temporary visitor access through the new Visit Key feature. Visitors simply scan their code to gain entry during the specified window, eliminating the need for manual buzzing-in or issuing physical badges.
Live Caption
Real-time transcription is now available on intercom calls, displaying the incoming caller’s speech as text on Desk Station and Pass App (iOS) receiver interfaces. This is a major accessibility improvement and is also helpful in noisy environments where audio alone may not be clear enough.
Volume Overdrive
A new Volume Overdrive hardware feature boosts amplifier output beyond factory limits, increasing speaker volume for environments where standard levels aren’t sufficient. Note that at maximum levels there may be a slight audio quality trade-off, but for loud outdoor or industrial settings, the extra volume can make all the difference.
Workplace: Streamlined Visitor Management
Google Calendar Plugin
Verkada Guest now integrates directly with Google Calendar, automatically importing scheduled events and visitor details. This eliminates the need for dual data entry between your calendar and visitor management system, saving administrative time and reducing errors.
Bulk Visitor Messaging
New SMS messaging capabilities let organizations send parking instructions, office updates, and visit reminders to entire visitor groups at once. Whether you’re coordinating a large event or just making sure guests know where to park, bulk messaging keeps everyone informed.
Visitor Data Deletion
Customizable data retention policies now let organizations set specific retention periods or choose indefinite storage for visitor records. This supports GDPR compliance and other privacy standards, giving organizations fine-grained control over how long visitor data is kept.
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