ISJ Leaders in Security 2025: A landmark gathering of global security leaders

On 7 May, 304 senior security leaders gathered at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Dubai Marina for the ISJ Leaders in Security Conference 2025, in association with our Platinum Partner, AMAG Technology.

Highlighting global security

As the pace and complexity of global security challenges continue to grow, the 2025 ISJ Leaders in Security Conference reaffirmed its role as one of the world’s foremost gatherings for security leadership and industry collaboration.

Set in the dynamic and future-focused city of Dubai, this year’s conference brought together senior leaders, strategic thinkers and practitioners from across sectors and regions.

From real-time threat management to workforce resilience and converged security models, the agenda reflected both the depth and urgency of the issues now facing security professionals operating in the Middle East & Africa region and beyond.

Setting the tone

Following a morning networking reception, the conference opened with welcome remarks from Ian Stokes, CEO of Centurian Media Ltd. and John Cowling, Conference Chair and District Security Manager, Middle East & CIS – Global Security Law at Caterpillar Inc.

Opening comments underlined the themes of the day: Trust, adaptability and shared responsibility in the face of complex threats.

The first major highlight was the highly anticipated Keynote Address from H.E. Khalifa Ibrahim Al Saleis, CEO & Executive Director of the Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA), who discussed the transformative impact of AI on our industry.

In an era where machines can see, listen, analyse, predict and make decisions, His Excellency posed the question: Are we the last generation that will work five days a week and spend two-thirds of their lives working?

He also explored whether we are the last generation whose experience was valued, whose opinions are respected and whose knowledge is considered essential.

He emphasised that these were not hypothetical questions – they were statements made by the giants of AI.

Critical conversations

The day unfolded with a packed agenda, featuring high-level panels and presentations led by respected voices from across the industry representing major brands such as the NBA, Unilever, Mastercard, SAP, ENOC and more.

It began with a powerful discussion on ‘The New Reality of Crisis Leadership’, where panellists examined the increasing demand for intelligence, real-time decision-making and strategic communication in complex environments.

That session set the tone for one of the day’s themes: Adapting leadership approaches in the face of rising uncertainty.

Building on that momentum, a presentation from James Clark of AMAG Technology challenged traditional vendor-client dynamics, highlighting the need for closer collaboration and shared accountability across the security supply chain.

The conversation around leadership continued in ‘Why Leaders Can’t Afford to Stand Still’, a candid panel on the intensifying pressures facing today’s security executives as well as the real-time demands that are aligned with high-stakes decision-making.

Adding further depth to the leadership theme, Ian Todd, Senior Vice President Group Security at Emirates Group, delivered a compelling presentation on ‘Deploying the Leadership Toolkit in Security Decision-Making’.

Drawing on his industry experience, Todd underscored how structured frameworks and adaptability are essential for guiding critical decisions under pressure.

As the day progressed, the focus shifted toward workforce resilience in ‘Building Security Talent for Business Resilience’, where panellists shared insights into mental wellbeing, retention and the cultural foundations of high-performing security teams.

The theme of integration was taken further in ‘People, Technology & Information: Developing a Truly Converged Security Framework’, where strategies for aligning physical and digital security were explored in the context of insider risk and organisational complexity.

That session laid the groundwork for a deeper conversation on convergence in ‘Building Cyber and Physical Security in a Hyper-Connected World’, which examined how unified models across OT, IT and physical domains can enhance operational effectiveness.

Internal vulnerabilities took centre stage in ‘The Hidden Risks Inside Your Business’, a hard-hitting panel on insider threats, zero-trust thinking and behavioural risk.

This was complemented by a thought-provoking presentation from Professor John E. Katsos on ethical strategic leadership in high-risk environments – reinforcing the role of integrity and foresight in long-term resilience.

In the final sessions, discussions turned to duty of care in ‘Who Is Truly Keeping You Safe?’, and culminated with a comprehensive regional threat briefing from Matthew Burnard of Control Risks, offering delegates forward-looking insights on the political and security landscape shaping the Middle East in the year ahead.

A day of impactful dialogue and meaningful connections

Once again, the ISJ Leaders in Security Conference confirmed its position as a cornerstone of strategic dialogue in the security industry.

Beyond the sessions, the event created a senior-level space for collaboration, problem-solving and knowledge sharing.

Throughout the exhibition hall and during the breaks, delegates engaged directly with one another, discussing how innovation is helping to address real-world challenges.

Whether over a cup of coffee or during the closing networking drinks, relationships were formed, partnerships explored and ideas exchanged — all within an atmosphere of trust and mutual purpose.

SAVE THE DATE: ISJ Leaders in Security 2026 – 6May, Grosvenor House Hotel, Dubai Marina, UAE

Visit the ISJ Leaders in Security website to register your interest for next year or inquire about speaking/sponsorship opportunities: www.isjleadersinsecurity.com