ISJ Leaders in Security 2025: What will you discover?

James Thorpe, Editor of ISJ, previews the key talking points delegates can expect to discover at the 2025 ISJ Leaders in Security Conference in Dubai, taking place 7 May.

As the security landscape continues to evolve, the 2025 ISJ Leaders in Security Conference, in partnership with AMAG Technology, once again promises a timely and poignant exploration of what it truly means to lead in today’s era.

Held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Dubai Marina on 7 May, the event will deliver hard-hitting panel discussions and high-impact presentations that confront the realities senior leaders face while working across a wide range of sectors and high-risk environments.

These sessions will delve into the strategic and operational challenges shaping the future of security leadership.

Among the highlights is a Keynote Address from His Excellency Khalifa Ibrahim Al Saleis, CEO of the Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA), whose insights will bring invaluable regional context to the complex and fast-moving security landscape.

Key themes

At the core of the agenda is a critical question: Are organisations evolving fast enough to survive?

In a world where disruption is no longer a risk but a certainty, crisis leadership has become a discipline unto itself. Reactive measures and siloed responses no longer suffice.

In 2025, success depends on the ability to act swiftly, make data-driven decisions and collaborate across boundaries. Expect in-depth discussions on real-time dynamics – where intelligence, speed and inter-sector cooperation are the foundations of effective response.

Moreover, as organisations expand into tense and often unstable regions, the obligation to protect people becomes more than a policy – it becomes a measure of corporate integrity.

With increasingly hostile environments and shrinking margins for error, duty of care will be a central talking point.

Delegates will hear directly from leaders confronting the challenge of keeping personnel safe while maintaining operational continuity in areas where the risks are anything but theoretical.

Today, it’s about agility, cultural awareness and the ability to move from vulnerable to vigilant.

That level of responsibility rests most heavily on the shoulders of senior security leaders. One of the most anticipated discussions will explore the personal and professional toll of leading in high-stakes conditions.

In an era of relentless threats and heightened expectations, security professionals are constantly required to make complex, high-pressure decisions – yet they are often left out of broader strategic conversations until something goes wrong.

This year’s program offers a rare and candid look into the human side of leadership: How individuals manage stress, maintain resilience and navigate an environment where failure is not an option but the consequences are very real.

Internal threats will also be in sharp focus. The risks facing today’s organisations aren’t always external – many are rooted in human behaviour, process flaws and cultural blind spots.

Speakers will explore how adversaries exploit these weaknesses through deception, social engineering and insider manipulation, turning employees, contractors and third-party vendors into potential points of entry.

With threat actors becoming more sophisticated, organisations must evolve past the illusion that strong technology alone is enough. Building a culture of awareness, where employees are trained to challenge assumptions and recognise manipulation, is now critical to holistic protection.

Closely tied to this is a growing recognition that talent may ultimately be the deciding factor in an organisation’s resilience.

As burnout and a widening skills gap continues to challenge the industry, leaders are being asked to think beyond salaries and incentives.

Delegates will explore what really drives retention and performance, including mental wellbeing, purpose, progression and recognition.

Conversations will further examine how organisations can foster cultures that support not just competence but long-term commitment.

Another major theme running throughout the event will be the urgent need for convergence. In today’s hyperconnected world, where physical infrastructure and digital systems are intertwined, the separation of cyber and physical security is no longer viable.

Senior leaders will explore how leaders can break down silos and unify their approach across governance, risk, compliance, operations and incident response.

Experts will present integrated frameworks and real-world case studies, helping delegates understand what true security collaboration looks like in a business environment where every touchpoint presents a potential risk.

A premier event

This year’s content program reflects where the industry is heading and how security is being redefined at the highest levels.

The ISJ Leaders in Security Conference isn’t just another date in the diary; for those responsible for protecting people, infrastructure and reputation in a world of uncertainty, it offers a rare and vital opportunity to regroup, rethink and reset.

Beyond the main stage, the event offers a unique opportunity to connect with peers in a setting designed for meaningful exchange.

The intimate, senior-level environment encourages knowledge sharing and relationship-building among some of the most experienced minds in the field.

Delegates will have the chance to engage with fellow leaders facing similar challenges, explore collaborative solutions and gain insights from sponsors and intellectual partners who are actively shaping the future of the industry.

The event truly fosters an atmosphere of trust and collaboration and one that empowers leaders to learn, share and grow together.

Dubai: A city at the forefront of security and innovation

Dubai is synonymous with innovation and technological development, particularly in the realm of security and safety.

In 2025, the city continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to harnessing cutting-edge technologies, placing strategic investment in state-of-the-art solutions.

This dedication to technology spans across sectors, with the integration of sophisticated systems designed to ensure public safety while driving operational efficiency.

These technologies support everything from traffic management and emergency response to streamlined municipal services.

Dubai’s approach emphasises not only the deployment of advanced tools but also the ongoing development of a future-ready infrastructure.

It’s no surprise that the city therefore stands as the ideal host for the ISJ Leaders in Security Conference.

Dubai provides a dynamic backdrop that embodies the principles, strategies and vision this event seeks to champion.