Verkada’s October 2026 product update is one of its broadest releases yet. Software updates roll out on October 8 unless otherwise noted, and this time Verkada isn’t just improving existing products — it’s launching two entirely new product lines: Verkada Transportation for vehicles and Verkada Sound Systems for audio. Add a dual-spectrum thermal camera, a new alarm panel for smaller sites, a touchscreen intercom, 3D maps, and an AI connector that links Command to tools like Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini, and there’s a lot to cover. Here’s everything that’s new.
Two New Product Lines
Verkada Transportation
Verkada Transportation brings video security and fleet management to vehicles. The integrated solution includes three cameras, a gateway, and a dedicated Command experience — so organizations running buses, delivery vans, or service fleets can manage vehicle video alongside the rest of their Verkada deployment instead of in a separate system.
Verkada Sound Systems
Verkada Sound Systems delivers cloud-managed audio for ambient music and announcements from a single platform. It launches with two hardware lines: Network Speakers and Network Audio Players. For businesses that already manage cameras, doors, and alarms in Command, overhead audio can now live in the same place.
Cameras: Thermal Imaging, Government-Grade Models & Smarter AI
CTB63 Dual-Spectrum Thermal Bullet Camera
The CTB63 is Verkada’s first dual-spectrum thermal camera, available in wide-angle and telephoto variants. It captures standard and thermal feeds at the same time, provides temperature insights, and runs people and vehicle analytics — a strong fit for perimeters, industrial sites, and areas where lighting is unreliable.
CR63-TE Telephoto Remote Camera
The CR63-TE delivers long-distance 4K coverage for hard-to-wire locations, with a built-in LTE modem and multiple power supply options. Think parking lots, construction sites, and remote gates where running cable isn’t practical.
Six Government-Grade Cameras
Verkada added six government-grade models that meet the FIPS 140 encryption standard and are TAA and FY2019 NDAA compliant:
- CH53-E-G and CH63-E-G four-camera multisensors
- CY53-E-G and CY63-E-G two-camera multisensors
- CR63-E-G and CR63-TE-G remote cameras
If your organization works with federal, state, or local government — or has procurement rules that require these certifications — this significantly expands your options.
Introducing Catalyst, the Verkada MCP
Catalyst connects your Command organization to AI platforms including Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini, letting teams build custom workflows, reports, and integrations on top of their Verkada data. Catalyst is launching as a private beta.
AI Search & New Alerts
- A new AI-powered search model is more accurate for safety-related searches and supports multi-condition queries using “and” or “not”
- New alerting capabilities detect individuals concealing or grabbing items and running, obstructed doors, and wrong-way driving
- LPR and Analytics Mode lets third-generation bullet cameras run people and vehicle analytics while capturing license plates at the same time
- Transport Number Mode lets you search by shipping container IDs on trucks and trailers — useful for logistics yards and loading docks
Other Camera Updates
- Unified Timeline improvements: live mode, Access Control integration, and a more immersive maps view
- Telescoping Ceiling Mount positions cameras up to 66 in / 167 cm below a ceiling or overhang
- Command Connector improvements: passive ONVIF mode and H.265 support for third-party cameras
- Viewing Station improvements: watch Verkada Alarms events as they unfold, cast streams from Command to a viewing station, and save preset layouts
- Incident Management improvements: add Access Control events to incident reports, use the incident tab in the Command mobile app, and export reports directly to Auror
- Standardized API endpoints with consistent field names across all product lines
- A Lens Distortion Correction (LDC) toggle in camera settings
Alarms: A Panel for Smaller Sites & Fire Alarm Monitoring
BP42 Alarm Panel & Better Sensor Protocol
The new BP42 Alarm Panel is built for smaller sites, with 10 wired inputs plus support for Better Sensor Protocol (BSP) addressable sensors. BSP itself is a major upgrade: it supports up to 200 doors or 50 powered motion sensors on a single wire run, which can dramatically reduce wiring on larger installs.
New sensors include the QM11-R BSP wired wall motion sensor, QM21-R BSP wired ceiling motion sensor, QM21-W wireless ceiling motion sensor, and the QB11 panic button.
Fire Alarm Monitoring
Fire Alarm Monitoring sends real-time SMS and email alerts tied to live camera feeds, along with centralized system health management — so you can see what’s happening the moment a fire alarm trips.
Smarter Alarm Response
- Lockdown as Alarm Response automatically locks down a site when a panic button is pressed
- Late to Arm/Disarm alerts notify you if a site isn’t armed or disarmed by its scheduled time
- Maps + Verkada Monitoring places devices on Command maps so monitoring agents can communicate where an intruder was last seen
- Easier multi-site management with centralized user keycodes, a maintenance-focused system health dashboard, and auto re-arm for inactive spaces
- Alarm Panel Expanders allow more than one alarm panel per Command site for larger buildings
- Cameras-only, self-monitored alarms are now available globally
Heads-Up: Classic Alarms End-of-Life
Verkada Classic Alarms reached global end-of-sale on August 1, 2026, and will reach end-of-life on August 1, 2027. If you’re still running Classic Alarms, now is the time to plan your migration — and the new BP42 panel and BSP sensors make that transition easier for smaller sites.
Access Control: Wireless Controller & a Mobile SDK
- The AW33 Wireless Access Controller combines a door controller and wireless hub into one device, streamlining AL54 wireless lock deployments
- The Pass SDK lets organizations embed Verkada door access into their own iOS and Android apps
- Access Control events now appear in the Unified Timeline and in the new Command Maps
- Custom roles let admins build and assign permissions tailored to their team
Intercom: TK74 Touchscreen & AI Receivers
- The TK74 Touchscreen Intercom features a 7” touchscreen, multitenant support, and credential options including Face Unlock — ideal for multi-tenant buildings and shared lobbies
- AI receivers let admins deploy voice AI into intercom call flows for context-aware conversations with visitors
- A global receivers page centralizes receiver management, with a “here / away” status for each receiver
- Intercoms are now viewable in Command Maps, and custom roles are supported
Command Platform: 3D Maps & Actionable Alerts
Maps in Command (Beta)
Maps in Command is a 3D digital twin that unifies cameras, doors, and alarms on one interactive floor plan. Combined with access control, intercom, and alarm devices now appearing on maps, this gives security teams a single visual picture of an entire site. Maps is currently in beta.
Actionable Alerts & Permissions
- Actionable alerts add collective notification management, real-time response tracking, and clear audit trails
- A new alert recipient permission setting toggles between broadcast delivery to all recipients or auth-scoped delivery that follows each user’s permissions
- Organization-level custom roles — for example, roles that can manage users or set up devices
Workplace: Employee Check-In & a Refreshed Kiosk
- Employee check-in lets visiting staff sign in across a multi-location organization, either by Employee ID at the kiosk or automatically when they open a designated door
- A redesigned kiosk tablet experience with a simplified welcome screen
- Off-tablet Face Unlock enrollment lets visitors enroll from their own devices while signing in or registering for an event
- Create Guest events in Command to organize, update, and cancel upcoming visitor events
- Offline device alerts when a Guest tablet or printer goes offline
- Custom roles for Workplace, including access to Global Approved Lists, the Global Deny List, and organization settings
- Italian and Somali language support for Guest Types and Approved List applications
Which of These Updates Matter Most for Your Business?
A release this large can be hard to sort through. A few questions worth asking:
- Still on Classic Alarms? You have until August 1, 2027 — let’s plan a migration to the BP42 or current Verkada alarm panels before end-of-life.
- Run a fleet? Verkada Transportation can bring vehicle video into the same Command platform you already use.
- Work with government agencies? The new FIPS 140, TAA, and NDAA-compliant models open doors that may have been closed before.
- Managing multiple sites? 3D Maps, BSP sensors, centralized keycodes, and actionable alerts are built for you.
As an official Verkada Gold Partner, Blue Cap IT can help you evaluate which of these new cameras, alarms, access control, intercom, Command, and Workplace features fit your organization — and handle the design, installation, and support.
Want to Learn More About the Verkada Update?
Reach out to the Blue Cap IT Sales Team today to discuss how the October 2026 release can work for your organization:
- Phone: (410) 858-4031
- Email: info@bluecapit.com
- Online: Contact Us
- Learn More: Explore All Verkada Products