Lessons of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 to be shared alongside the industry’s service ecosystem needs
Supply chain security road map to be explored
Dubai, UAE: As part of the 24th edition of Intersec, the world's leading trade fair for safety, security, and fire protection, leading security experts from across the globe will descend on Dubai next month to forge a collaborative path that can help harness the power of technology to counteract mounting threats to public safety and national security.
The international field will gather at Dubai World Trade Centre from January 17-19 to attend an invite-only Security Leaders’ Summit, one of four conference tracks running under the theme ‘Integrated Tech for Global Security: Protection, Disruption, and Sustainability’.
The Security Leaders’ Summit will run over January 17 and 18 within Intersec 2023 and gather government and private sector security decision-makers to explore national strategies, homeland security and policing commercial and perimeter security, and cutting-edge technologies. A powerful speaker platform of more than 50 experts from 13 countries across the Middle East, Europe, the UK, and USA will probe security enablers and inhibitors and identify the industry’s trends and challenges to formulate a future roadmap.
Under the spotlight will be critical national infrastructure, technology for future-ready police forces, the security implications of the metaverse, digital sovereignty resilience, and gender diversity, equity, and inclusion in the industry.
“The Summit comes against a background of high industry demand with the Middle East’s homeland security market forecast to achieve 14.5 per cent compound annual growth to 2024, the commercial security market expected to witness 28 per cent growth to be worth $2.3bn by 2026, and cybersecurity now rising up public and private sector agendas,” said Alex Nicholl, Show Director of Intersec organiser Messe Frankfurt Middle East.
“With the region now leading in smart city projects, intelligent transportation, travel and tourism, and mega events also, there are lessons to share to ensure maximum public safety. Accordingly, this high-level strategic summit will see security leaders, sector stakeholders, and experts collaborate, innovate, and actively seek new technologies to meet the industry’s rapidly changing needs.”
With the first World Cup in the Middle East wrapping up in Qatar less than a month before Intersec arrives in the UAE, the Summit will turn to Helmut Spahn, FIFA Director – Safety, Security & Access, for insights into how to turn large event security management lessons into action. Spectator security, said the security chief of world football’s governing body, must supersede all other event goals.
“Every FIFA World Cup is unique, as are all our other tournaments and events around the globe,” he says. “The risks related to terrorism, crime and social behaviour, the mentality of people, infrastructural conditions, governmental organisation, financial possibilities, political and geopolitical situations, etc. are completely different. Each country has new challenges and opportunities. Therefore, a constant assessment of the situation and a close and faithful cooperation of all – especially with the security authorities – is necessary. Cooperation, communication, and collaboration are the keys to success. There is no one-fits-all concept. Flexibility and adaptation are irreplaceable. In a nutshell, maximum security with minimum restrictions and the highest possible level of service. Safety and Security are first, and foremost, a spectator service.”
The pressing issue of cybersecurity will be tackled in a day two keynote address by Dr Bushra Al Blooshi, Head of Research & Innovation at Dubai Electronic Security Centre. She will focus on advancing the digital economy.
“To reap the immense rewards of the digital economy, we need to pioneer an integrated and innovative smart secured services ecosystem,” said Dr Al Blooshi. “If we collaborate on this aim, I believe communities and countries will always grow by making technologies in their own countries and exporting to others.”
And as the global logistics sector rebounds and reshapes following the supply chain challenges of the COVID 19 era, Adrian Whelan, DHL Express’s Senior Vice President, and Head of Global Security, looks to present perspectives on the future road map for supply chain security. “It is all about the customer and their needs – security and supply chain resilience are not nice to have, they are must-haves,” he said.
Intersec’s knowledge programme will also feature seminars and conferences devoted to Cybersecurity, Safety and Health, and Fire & Rescue. The exhibition will cover more than 47,000 square-metres with over 850 exhibitors from 120-plus countries displaying more than 10,000 products. The show will include 10 national pavilions and is expected to draw up to 30,000 visiting professionals.