Intersec: 25 years of innovating security tech
James Thorpe
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Alex Nicholl looks ahead to the 25th anniversary of Intersec, taking place 16-18 January 2024 at Dubai World Trade Centre.
How will this Silver Jubilee edition differ or build upon previous years in terms of scale and offerings?
We are celebrating 25 years of innovating security tech.
The show will be a celebration of the history of the event, of the milestones that have been achieved and, of course, will look to the future of security in the region and beyond.
Over the years, the exhibition has developed a reputation for being an unmissable part of the industry calendar and this Silver Jubilee edition is on course to be the biggest event yet.
Currently we are expecting a 20% increase in exhibitors from around the world, with many joining for the first time in 2024.
Intersec 2024 is also very fortunate that the UAE government bodies in the respective sectors place a huge value on the event for what it brings to the region and each aspect finds strong affiliations with the respective UAE government bodies, showcasing the resolute commitment of the UAE government to these critical industries.
The security sector aligns with Dubai Police and SIRA, while the Fire & Rescue division enjoys close ties with Dubai Civil Defence.
Simultaneously, the safety sector receives backing from Dubai Municipality and the cyber sector’s significance is highlighted by the presence of the UAE Cyber Security Council and Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC).
Can you highlight some of the standout features or innovations attendees can expect to see during the event?
Attendees can anticipate myriad standout features and innovations – and many of the popular features from previous years will be returning even bigger.
These include the ‘Attack Zone’ – a platform for attendees to explore and experience real world demonstrations, offering invaluable insights into the most innovative and effective security solutions and the ‘Safety Walk’ providing attendees with a first-hand look at firefighting and rescue equipment, safety solutions and trends.
New for this year will be the ‘Technical Rescue Pavilion’, a specialised zone catering to attendees with a focus on technical rescue and emergency response and exploring the latest equipment, methodologies and best practices in the field of technical rescue.
The ‘in{cyber}’ feature at Intersec is a dedicated area for attendees to delve into the world of cybersecurity.
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore state-of-the-art cybersecurity solutions, engage with industry experts and stay at the forefront of safeguarding digital assets and critical information.
In addition, this feature will host the Future Defenders Hack Arena, a purpose built feature delivering specific tracks for school students, universities and CISOs.
All of these features have been designed to offer attendees an engaging and informative experience, fostering a deeper understanding of the future of safety and security in various industries.
In addition, the Intersec Awards will return during the event, to shine a spotlight on the best and brightest achievements within the safety and security industry.
This popular event is a celebration of innovation, excellence and industry leadership.
How is this year’s event further facilitating networking between industry experts, government officials and corporate decision makers?
Intersec really is the platform for networking and building relationships for anyone who is anyone in the fire, safety and security industries.
With over 1,000 exhibitors on the exhibition floor and more than 150 expert speakers across all of the conference streams, the number of experts and decision makers in one place for three days is unmatched.
On top of that, the incredible support from the UAE government means that there will be a significant number of key players in attendance too.
For networking, one of the most important features of Intersec is the Premium Club, a dedicated hosted space for qualified buyers to meet, network and do business on the show floor.
There are also many other opportunities, from exhibitors hosting events on stands and of course to the Intersec Awards ceremony.
Business in the Middle East in particular places a premium value on face-to-face networking and Intersec really is the industry’s largest platform in the region for the industry to forge lasting connections and to get business done.
What themes or trends are driving the direction of Intersec 2024?
The theme this year is “Innovating security tech for a quarter of a century”.
With this incredible heritage, Intersec 2024 will build on this while also looking to the future, with dedicated conference streams, including the exclusive Security Leaders’ Summit (ISLS) exploring trends in sustainable security and geopolitical risk intelligence, the Cyber Security Conference, hosted by the UAE Cybersecurity Council, delving into metaverse security and Zero Trust Architecture and the Safety & Health Conference emphasising workplace safety and wellbeing.
The Fire & Rescue Conference hosted by Dubai Civil Defence will discuss strategies and best practices across topics such as emergency response planning, fire safety and compliance and community engagement.
At the same time, the Thought Leadership Pavilion, hosted by the Access Control Executive Brief, will address a range of topics across a central theme of the future of the access control and smart lock industry.
How is Intersec 2024 addressing the evolving cyber landscape within the Homeland and Commercial Security sectors?
Intersec 2024 recognises that cybersecurity has indeed taken centre stage in global discussions and this dedicated sector has been growing significantly with each edition of the exhibition.
It’s worth noting that this sector is supported by the UAE Cyber Security Council and DESC, highlighting not only the importance of Intersec to these government organisations, but also of cybersecurity as a focal point.
At the heart of our commitment is the in{cyber} feature.
This segment is designed to provide a platform for the latest advancements, strategies and technologies within the field. Attendees can expect to engage with the most cutting edge solutions and connect with a global community of experts, practitioners and innovators.
The Intersec Cyber Security Conference is a beacon of innovation and collaboration in the realm of cybersecurity.
As we celebrate our 25th year of excellence, the conference stands as a testament to our dedication to this critical sector.
It’s not merely a gathering; it’s a comprehensive journey into the world of cybersecurity.
The conference features renowned speakers, interactive workshops, panel discussions and an innovation showcase, all aimed at providing insights into the latest trends, practical solutions and visionary strategies.
Key themes of the conference range from countering cyber-enabled terrorism to preparing for quantum cyberattacks and fortifying IT and OT security in the era of converged technologies, alongside many more.
Can you shed light on some key sessions or seminars that security professionals shouldn’t miss this year?
There are so many sessions! We are thrilled to present a line-up of enlightening sessions and seminars that are not to be missed by security professionals.
These sessions will empower attendees with the latest insights and knowledge crucial to staying at the forefront of the industry.
We have an even harder hitting conference program at Intersec 2024, including the Security Leaders’ Summit which will include a panel on Future Proofing Security which will look at a Proactive Approach towards Sustainable Security, and our ‘Security Innovation Forum’, which will delve into the most groundbreaking technologies and strategies, offering a glimpse into the future of security.
‘Trends and Challenges in Cybersecurity’ will equip professionals with the skills to combat evolving digital threats, a pivotal topic in today’s interconnected world.
Moreover, ‘Emergency Response & Preparedness’ will address crucial aspects of disaster management and crisis response, essential for public safety professionals. The ‘Fire & Rescue Summit’ is designed to highlight the latest advancements in firefighting and rescue operations.
Another key note will be the ‘Industry Roundtable’ to bring together industry thought leaders to discuss pressing matters and future trends.
These are just a few highlights from our extensive program. Intersec 2024 is committed to providing security professionals with the knowledge they need to thrive in an ever changing world and these sessions are a testament to our dedication to their professional growth and development.
These are just a sample of what will be on offer and while we are not quite ready to announce the names of all of the speakers, it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on the Intersec website as they will be announced nearer the time.
It’s worth noting too, that barring the ISLS (which is exclusive attendance), most of the conferences at Intersec 2024 are available to all trade visitors attending the exhibition, at no extra cost.
What new or emerging tech innovations can security attendees look forward to at the event?
There will be so much on display at Intersec 2024 and while we can’t quite speak on behalf of what the 1,000+ exhibitors will be bringing, there will be some incredible innovations on show across the industry sectors.
With the biggest names in the industry in attendance, and them aware that Intersec is an annual opportunity to reach the industry’s key players and global associations, I can certainly say that security attendees will be able to discover so much over the three days.
With an extensive showcase of over 10,000 products spanning the entire supply chain, it’s a challenge to spotlight just a handful.
The event revolves around its five core pillars: Commercial & Perimeter Security, Homeland Security, Fire & Rescue, Safety & Health and Cyber Security, each brimming with a multitude of exhibitors unveiling the freshest innovations, trends and technologies.
For those seeking to explore the latest advancements and innovations in the fire and safety industry, I wholeheartedly encourage attendance, providing an unparalleled opportunity to engage with exhibitors from across the globe.
Intersec stands as the foremost regional platform for this ever-evolving industry and this 25th edition is certainly an unmissable event in the industry’s calendar.
