Intersec returns to Dubai in January 2026 for its 27th edition, during a period of rapid transformation across the global safety, security and fire protection sectors.
The event remains a key fixture in the international calendar due to its scale, depth of content and ability to bring clarity to sectors experiencing new pressures, rising expectations and significant technological shifts.
The upcoming edition will span an enormous 67,000 square metres at the Dubai World Trade Centre, reflecting record demand from exhibitors and visitors.
The event is set to run from 12-14 January 2026, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Ports and Borders Security Council, with strategic support from the General Command of Dubai Civil Defence and the Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA).
Intersec has continued to grow, due to the way it frames security and safety as shared global responsibilities rather than discrete technical conversations.
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The 2026 program continues this approach by presenting an integrated picture of how organisations, governments and industry specialists navigate risk, resilience and innovation. Visitors can expect exhibitors and conference speakers across commercial security, fire protection, emergency response, cybersecurity, health and safety and homeland security.
Exhibitors from more than 60 countries are gearing up to present advanced technologies and practical solutions to help decision-makers address today’s complex operational environments.
Dishan Isaac, Show Director, Intersec, at Messe Frankfurt Middle East, highlighted that the growth of the coming edition reinforces the event’s role as a platform shaping international dialogue.
He said that Intersec “continues to set the benchmark for advancing global dialogue and partnerships in security, safety and fire protection” – adding that the event’s growth reflects rising demand for leading-edge solutions and highlights Dubai’s position as a global hub for security innovation.
Elevating strategic security dialogue
The International Security Leaders’ Summit remains central to the exhibition. This summit attracts global industry luminaries, responsible for national assets, critical infrastructure and organisational resilience.
Speakers from government, transport, aviation and multinational corporations will address topics including governance, strategic alignment with national objectives, talent development, the operational value of cultural intelligence and the interaction between physical and digital security environments.
A session on security within Gulf megaprojects will explore how early-stage design and integrated planning provide long-term operational resilience.
Speaking ahead of his participation in a panel titled ‘Regional Vision, Global Solutions: Embedding Security Innovation into Megaprojects,’ Malcolm Smith, Public Safety Excellence Director, Royal Commission of AlUla, plans to underline how highly complex developments require security to be embedded from the outset, rather than treating it as a late technical exercise.
Smith will also stress the essential role security professionals play throughout concept design, construction and operations to ensure people, process and tech remain aligned with master planning objectives.
He says the intersection of public and private domains across large environments requires careful coordination among architects, regulators, technologists and end-users.
The role of communications infrastructure within regional projects will also be examined. Jake Phillips, Group Security Director at IHS Towers, says the region is adopting advanced security methods with increasing confidence and using AI in this field needs to be understood through practical outcomes rather than fear.
Phillips encouraged audiences to view current AI capabilities as an entry point to a more secure landscape rather than a threat.
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Crisis leadership will form a significant part of the summit. Real experience from the UAE’s heaviest recorded rainfall in April 2024 will inform discussions on readiness, scenario planning and multi-agency response.
David Warham, Head of Response and Recovery Planning at Dubai Airports, will discuss how challenges such as record rainfall have shaped his team’s approach to leading through disruption in one of the world’s busiest aviation environments.
He says effective crisis leadership is grounded in preparation and clear communication, adding that leadership under pressure requires the ability to translate uncertainty into direction.
Warham also highlighted the importance of cross-organisational coordination due to the number of stakeholders involved in aviation operations. This perspective will contribute to a panel examining how leaders guide teams through disruption when information is limited and conditions are changing rapidly.
The International Security Leaders’ Summit will present insights from senior representatives of government ministries, national authorities, global corporations, international associations and academic institutions.
The sessions will offer perspectives on talent development, quantum technologies, supply chain security, human risk and the value of cross-sector collaboration. Visitors who attend will gain an understanding of the strategic priorities shaping modern security leadership.
Exploring innovation
Intersec’s InCyber Briefing remains one of the most anticipated features of the event.
Global, regional and local specialists in cybersecurity, governance and digital risk are poised to examine a wide range of subjects, including post-quantum readiness, supply chain resilience, cyber crisis simulation and data sovereignty.
Luqman Kondeth, Director of Cybersecurity at New York University Abu Dhabi, will provide a keynote using a village parable to distil the complexities of AI governance into accessible leadership principles.
Kondeth described this analogy as a way to illustrate how organisations can maintain oversight while benefiting from advanced tools, emphasising the importance of continuous monitoring and close alignment between AI systems and enterprise architecture.
The InCyber Briefing will also explore the practical challenges created by accelerated digitisation. The UAE’s cybersecurity market is projected to grow from US$620m in 2024 to more than US$1.2b by 2030, driven by stronger national policy, major digital transformation projects and increased awareness of cyber risk.
Intersec reflects these trends by convening specialists who are shaping international security standards. Visitors will receive structured guidance that can support immediate operational decisions.
There are several other conference streams, all geared to offer insight into the challenges the sector faces up to – and beyond – the next decade. The Fire and Rescue Conference, for example, aims to analyse developments in fire prediction, building life-safety systems and emergency response.
Speakers from government authorities, multinational fire protection bodies and global engineering firms will explore how climate change is influencing fire behaviour.
Sessions will address human behaviour under stress, regulatory shifts, passive fire design and case studies from international fire services. The conference aims to equip professionals with knowledge that can be applied in real-world settings, while highlighting collaborations that strengthen community resilience.
A Passive Fire Day, hosted by the Association for Specialist Fire Protection, will underline the need to professionalise the passive fire sector.
Talks will address technical competency, design responsibilities and best practices within product specification and installation. The initiative reflects a broader shift toward raising industry standards following several high-profile incidents worldwide.
A Health and Safety Conference, supported by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, will bring together global HSE leaders to discuss the role of technology in risk management, the rising importance of mental wellbeing and the impact of human factors on incident prevention.
Specialists from the global HSE sector will address construction safety, occupational road risk, inclusive design and the use of digital planning tools to improve protection across workplaces.
Intersec 2026 will also feature the Access Control Theatre, the Control Room Innovation Theatre and the SIRA Forum. These platforms will explore themes including identity management, convergence of physical and digital systems, operator wellbeing, cognitive design and best practice in smart security regulation.
The content has been designed to support visitors at every point in the buying chain, providing a mix of high-level strategy and technical insights to support practical implementation.
Recognising industry achievement
The Intersec Awards is returning for its fifth edition on 13 January, with a gala dinner at the Conrad Dubai. Seventeen categories will recognise companies, individuals and teams who have delivered notable improvements across security, safety and fire protection.
Categories include Best Active Fire Safety Product, Best Passive Fire Safety Product, Best Safety Protection Solution, Best Homeland Security Solution and Best Cybersecurity Solution of the Year. Industry-focused awards will highlight excellence in consultancy, crisis management, talent development and leadership.
The Rising Star Award for Emirati Talent will honour emerging national leaders, while the Women Trailblazers category will recognise professionals driving progress across their fields.
Notably, submissions for 2026 increased by more than 5% compared with the previous year. Finalists were selected by 23 judges from five countries who represent senior positions within Dubai Civil Defence, international fire protection organisations, global security institutes and multinational consultancies.
The awards remain an important part of Intersec because they highlight achievements that influence global best practice.
Exhibitors, of course, remain a major draw for visitors. More than 1,400 companies from over 60 countries are expected to participate, representing a broad spectrum of sectors, including commercial security, perimeter protection, cybersecurity, homeland security, fire and rescue and health and safety.
International pavilions will represent the UK, Germany, Singapore, Italy, France, Sweden and several other countries.
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Returning exhibitors include Hikvision, Hanwha, Transguard, Genetec, Gunnebo, Salto and TP Link. First-time exhibitors from the UAE include Somfy Middle East, SecureAAI, Janus Fire Systems, East Wind Safety and Kiwa.
Exhibitors will present solutions designed to support emergency response, public safety, operational efficiency and critical infrastructure protection.
Intersec remains closely aligned with the UAE’s strategic direction, particularly its focus on public safety, digital innovation and global collaboration.
Numbeo ranked the UAE as the safest country in the world in 2025, and the country has also strengthened national cyber-readiness, expanded emergency response capability and invested in modern fire protection infrastructure.
These efforts shape the context in which Intersec takes place. Show Director Isaac says the event advances global dialogue by connecting industry leaders, innovators and stakeholders who contribute to safer communities.
The depth of the 2026 program reflects the growing expectation that security, safety and fire protection professionals work across disciplines. Exhibitors and speakers will present solutions that link governance with technology, talent development with resilience and strategic planning with operational performance.
Visitors will leave with a clearer understanding of how global trends influence local practice and how cross-sector partnerships can support sustained progress.
Intersec continues to evolve as a meeting point for diverse perspectives.
The event’s strength lies in its structured space for ideas that shape real environments. The 2026 edition will build on this foundation by offering a comprehensive view of risk and resilience in a changing world. Decision-makers who attend will gain knowledge that supports immediate challenges and long-term planning.
The influence of Intersec extends far beyond the exhibition halls, bringing clarity and shared understanding across this highly complex global landscape.