· Human actions identified as most critical risk for supply chain security in the region, says top UK government advisor
· Security Leaders’ Summit at Intersec 2025 to provide guidance for organisations looking to fortify their supply chain security through contract awards
· The UAE witnessed the highest growth in absolute terms for contract awards in the GCC last year
Dubai, UAE: Middle East organisations are increasingly facing vulnerabilities in their supply chains due to human behaviour. This topic will take centre stage at the Security Leaders’ Summit during Intersec 2025, where security industry thought leaders will explore the intricate relationship between human actions and supply chain security.
The 26th edition of Intersec, the world’s leading trade fair for safety, security, and fire protection, will take place from 14-16 January 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
Speaking ahead of the Summit, where he will highlight the impact of human fallibility on security measures, Stuart Frost, BEM, Head of Enterprise Security and Risk Management within the UK Government, said: “The primary risk in any supply chain is not just the failure of security controls, but the fact that “humans are fallible and make mistakes simply because they are human.”
According to Kamco Invest’s GCC Projects Market Update in January 2024, the UAE's contract awards increased to US$79.5 billion in 2023, doubling the US$29.7 billion recorded in 2022.
Frost explains that security is often secondary in contract awards, overshadowed by business, financial, and commercial priorities. He emphasises that while security is essential, it rarely drives contract decisions, making thorough risk analysis crucial for informed decision-making that balances all business imperatives.
Organisations in the Middle East face specific challenges where supply chain risks are compounded by the region's unique geopolitical and economic dynamics. Many organisations fail to assess the risks posed by their lower-tier suppliers, leading to potential domino effects.
“Supply chain breaches can threaten the very survival of an organisation and, if resilience is not built into the system, the organisation might not be able to recover from such an event,” Frost added. "Post-contract assurance should be performed at least annually to ensure the controls are still effective and the risk position is managed."
Intersec 2025 is set to be the largest edition in its history, with over 1,200 exhibitors from 60 countries and more than 52,000 expected visitors. The Security Leaders’ Summit will be a highlight of the event, offering industry professionals the opportunity to gain critical insights into sustainable security practices and geopolitical risk intelligence, among other pressing topics.
Grant Tuchten, Portfolio Director at Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “As supply chains become increasingly complex and intertwined, understanding the risks and implementing effective security measures are paramount. This session will provide invaluable guidance for organisations looking to fortify their supply chain security.”
Intersec 2025 will also feature a range of other high-impact conference programmes, including the Safety & Health Conference, Fire & Rescue Conference, and the new Intersec Policing Conference, providing a platform for innovation, collaboration, and exchanging ideas among global security professionals.