INTERSEC 2023 INTRODUCED A NEW SECURITY ERA

MORE THAN 43,000 EXHIBITORS FROM 131 COUNTRIES MET AT THE WORLD’S LEADING SAFETY, SECURITY, AND FIRE PROTECTION EVENT. THIS EVENT RESTORED THE CONFIDENCE OF EXHIBITORS AND VISITORS AND PAVED THE WAY TOWARD A NEW ERA OF INDUSTRY’S COGNITIVE SECURITY AND SURVEILLANCE n By: Editorial Team, a&s Middle East editorial@asmideast.com

On January 17-19, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) was a global security ground zero which prompted thousands of visitors to network and do business at this very spot. Leading innovators, companies, and experts got an opportunity to exchange ideas and showcase their products in the course of five industry-leading conferences. Intersec 2023 will be remembered as the most dynamic one so far in many aspects. It was obvious that the attendants were eager to meet and shake hands, talk over a cup of coffee, and share thoughts in person without any restrictions. All signs are pointing in the direction that the industry at large is heading toward a new era of cognitive security and surveillance.

“With emerging technologies playing a leading role in driving change across the ecosystem, the success and future of the security and surveillance industry lie in moving from

Exhibitors: over 800 from 55 countries

Visitors: 43.305 from 131 countries

Attendees from the GCC, Europe, Asia, and the Americas account for 49 percent of the total headcount

Gross square meters: 48,331 m2 dedicated to product showcases for commercial and perimeter security, homeland security, fire and rescue, safety and health, and cybersecurity an industry-driven strategy to a customer-focused strategy,” it is said in a new PriceWaterhouseCoopers report which also asserts that the shift can be supported only through strategic partnerships. Together, they can build a robust technology foundation in the role of an enabler that relies on a collective effort throughout the system. The security industry will benefit from new visions presented at the event which will only gain momentum in terms of new ideas and technological projects in years to come. This time, visitors and exhibitors were like desert trail survivors - hungry and thirsty for new ideas and perspectives.

One of the most memorable moments was the Intersec 2023 Award ceremony held at the prestigious Ritz Carlton DIFC in Dubai to celebrate product innovation, individual accomplishments, and business achievements. H.E. Khalifa Ibrahim Al Saleis, CEO of Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA), H.E. Mohamed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity Council, UAE Government and Turki Bin Matooq Al Thonayan, Chief Executive Officer of the National Security Services

During the Intersec, we had a chance to talk to some of the exhibitors. Here are some impressions they shared with the a&s Middle East team on the floor Jens Uwe-Ludwig AMG Systems sale manager for Europe, This year was busier than last year as we had no restrictions. The timing was changed. A lot of visitors are from Europe, ME, and Africa. The quality of visitors was good. Above the expectation of last year. Organizers complain they are running out of space. I think in the future we will have even bigger events like this. This event showed that people still like to meet face to face which we were denied due to the pandemic.

Andrea Sorri, AXIS COMMUNICATION Segment Business Development

A lot of engagement from customers and system integrators. They want to know what is next and what they can do more with the existing infrastructure. They want to do more with what they have. We had an opportunity to discuss with so many visitors from the region of course. We shared our views on how the camera may help in specific segments, public safety, or improving mobility like traffic management. This was a big event with a big flow of people with a deep interest in the topic. I already see that most of this audience will come again to the next edition.

Faizan Ahmed, Business Development Manager from TP-Link

For us, this was an exceptionally good event. We have seen many quality customers and resellers which is helping them and us at the same time. We met a lot of consultants and a lot of resellers. This was an incredibly good place to show our product line to them. They are giving us the confidence that our products are good. We got a lot of leads, and we will come next year.

Isabel Martinez-Serrano, BOSCH Building Technologies Fires Systems

The event definitely met our expectations and even beyond. We came to see what the audience was going to be and we were positively surprised about the vast number of attendees. We were overwhelmed by the huge number of people visiting us. Not just by number but also with the quality of visitors coming over. We had a chance not just to meet our customers all over the region and beyond but also new prospects. People really bring their business behind. To me, out of US Intersec is becoming the largest show for security.

(SAFE) were among the delegates attending the Award event.

The winners in the security category included: Homeland Security Product/Service of the Year: EnforceAir: D/Fend Solutions’ Counter-Drone Technology – D-Fend Solutions.

Commercial & Perimeter Security Products/Service of the Year: OPTEX REDSCAN Pro LIDAR series – OPTEX Europe LTD. Cybersecurity Product/Service of the Year: Managed Detection and Response services powered by AI platform – Alsaac – Atos Security Sustainability Product/Service of the Year: Offsetting the carbon of the Electronic Security Manufacturing sector – Secure Logiq

Furthermore, Khalid Al Khatib, CEO of NAFFCO, was named the Regional Leader of the Year while Essa Ahmed Al-Mutawa of Dubai Civil Defense became the laureate of the Young Emirati Achiever Award as one of the show’s rising stars. On behalf of a&s

Middle East, we would like to congratulate all award winners.

Intersec was also home to cutting-edge knowledge-sharing sessions. The UAE Cybersecurity Council hosted a conference with attendees ranging from government leaders to CSOs and CISOs from the oil and gas industry, BFSI, healthcare and hospitality, and energy and utilities. A dedicated Fire & Rescue Conference was also hosted by Dubai Civil Defense, while a highly focused Safety & Health Seminar explored the new MENA regulatory changes. Intersec 2023 exhibitor Ateis Middle East, a leader in the life-safety industry, needed no convincing when it comes to the show’s potential. Its COO Philip Witts called the event “the number one global event for our industry.”

From January 16-18 2024, Intersec’s 25th edition will once again become a prime meeting spot for the industry at the same venue. n