What's New in Verkada Alarms: October 2026 Release
"Verkada's October 2026 release adds a compact alarm panel for smaller sites, real-time fire panel monitoring tied to live video, and instant alerts when a site isn't armed on schedule."
The October 2026 release adds new alarm hardware sized for smaller sites, ties the client's existing fire alarm panel into Command for the first time, and closes a gap that trips up a lot of businesses: knowing the moment a site doesn't arm or disarm on schedule. Clients still on Verkada's Classic Alarms platform should also know about an upcoming deadline.
Understanding the Release Badges
Included ships free to the existing license. There is nothing to schedule or buy.
Included + Setup is also free software but needs a short technician visit to wire or configure, which Fortified schedules.
New Hardware is an optional upgrade the account team can quote.
A Right-Sized Alarm Panel for Smaller Sites
The new BP42 Alarm Panel packs 10 wired inputs into a compact footprint built for smaller sites: a single retail unit, a small office, or a standalone building that doesn't need the input count of a larger commercial panel.
It gives those locations a right-sized alarm hardware option without specifying a larger panel than the site actually needs.
Release badge: New Hardware. The BP42 is an optional upgrade.
Real-Time Alerts if Your Fire Panel Trips
Fire Alarm Monitoring connects a site's existing fire alarm panel to Command, so a trip generates a real-time SMS and email alert tied to the live video feed from that area. Instead of a fire panel going off at 2am with nobody watching, the right people receive an alert with visual context they can act on.
The monitoring also runs proactive health checks on the panel, catching a failing device before it causes an outage or false-alarm callout. That gives the site team a chance to address a problem before the alarm system is put under pressure during an actual incident.
The monitoring software is Included free. Getting it running needs a one-time wired connection between the existing fire alarm panel and a Verkada alarm panel. Fortified technicians install and test that connection, which is the "Setup" part of Included + Setup.
Once wired, there is nothing further to maintain. For sites where a fire panel trip currently means a phone tree rather than a verified alert with footage, this closes a real liability gap.
Instant Alerts if a Site Isn't Armed on Schedule
Command now alerts the moment a site isn't armed or disarmed on schedule — for example, a location supposed to arm at 9pm but hasn't by 9:15. It catches the scenario that usually only surfaces the hard way: someone forgets to arm on the way out, and the site sits unsecured overnight.
Release badge: Included. This software update requires nothing to install or schedule.
Heads Up: Classic Alarms Deadline
Verkada's Classic Alarms platform reached end-of-sale on August 1, 2026, and reaches end-of-life on August 1, 2027. Sites still on Classic Alarms should plan the upgrade path now — the account team can walk through what migrating to current-generation alarm hardware looks like.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It connects to your existing fire alarm panel through a Verkada alarm panel, adding real-time alerts and live video tied to the panel's status. Your existing fire alarm equipment and code compliance are unaffected.