Leading the Future of Operations
13 January 2026
Sheikh Saeed Hall 1
Join us at Intersec 2026's Control Room Innovation Theatre, where control rooms and operations centres take centre stage as the nerve hubs of tomorrow’s safety and security landscape. This inspiring forum brings together visionary operational leaders and solution provides from across the security, safety, and operations domains to share pioneering insights. The focus is future-readiness and the pivotal role of control rooms in a rapidly evolving safety and security landscape.
Across a day of powerful sessions, we’ll explore four transformational themes:
- Cognitive Control Rooms – Discover how data-driven, AI-supported control rooms transform vast data streams into intelligent action, enabling faster, smarter decisions when it matters most.
- Integrated Command Centre Operations – Explore the power of breaking silos. Unified command centres span multiple sectors and operations, fostering seamless coordination and agile, synchronised responses to complex challenges.
- Operator Wellbeing – Learn why empowering the human element leads to stronger teams and better outcomes. From reducing stress to enhancing training, see how prioritising operator wellness drives performance in high-pressure environments.
- Beyond Ergonomics – Go deeper into human factors — the missing thread. Beyond just ergonomic consoles, uncover the critical role of cognitive design, user experience, and culture in creating control rooms that truly elevate human performance.
This thought leadership platform is more than a conference track — it’s a call to action for leaders eager to stay ahead of the curve. Attendees will gain cross-industry perspectives, spark new ideas, and network with fellow visionaries.
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11:00 - 11:10
Opening Session: Welcome and Introduction
Chris Dreyfrus Gibson, Vice-Chairman | International Critical Control Rooms Alliance
11:10 - 11:35
Keynote: Control Rooms 2030 – Intelligence, Integration and Human Impact
This keynote explores the evolution of control rooms into cognitive, people-centred environments - and the leadership mindset needed to shape what comes next.
11:35 - 12:00
Cognitive Control Rooms: From Data to Decisions – The Rise of Cognitive Control Rooms
Discover how AI and automation are turning control rooms into intelligent decision-making hubs - and what it means for situational awareness and operational speed.
Dr. Jack Andrew Harding, Assistant Professor – – Masters in Intelligence Analysis Programme | Rabdan Academy
12:00 - 12:25
Cognitive Control Rooms: The Silent Crisis in Incident Management: When Protocol Kills Ownership
Danny Brotheridge, Regional Security Manager EMEA | Pinkertons
12:25 - 13:00
Cognitive Control Rooms: Smarter Surveillance, Safer Outcomes
A cross-sector panel discusses real-world applications of cognitive technologies in control rooms - from smart cities to critical infrastructure.
Panellists
- Simon Whitehouse, Director of Security Consultancy | AESG
- Mustapha Kebbeh, Chief Security Officer | UKG
- Danny Brotheridge, Regional Security Manager EMEA | Pinkerton
- Amit Ghodekar, CISO | Aramex
- Col. Santanu Mukhopadhyay (Retd), Former Director Risk Management & Security | JioWorld Centre (Reliance Industries)
13:00 - 13:25
Integrated Command Centre Operations: Unifying the Operations Landscape – Building the Modern Command Centre
Learn how integrated command centres are breaking down operational silos to enable faster, more coordinated responses across security and safety domains.
Eddie Reyes, Senior Vice President & Founder | RTSG
13:25 - 13:50
Integrated Command Centre Operations: Resilient by Design: Future-Proofing Control Rooms Against Evolving Threats
Embedding risk management, enterprise architecture, and adaptability into the DNA of control rooms to withstand emerging threats.
Mustapha Kebbeh, Chief Security Officer | UKG
13:50 - 14:15
Integrated Command Centre Operations: A View from the Medical Center
Moderator:
Chris Dreyfrus Gibson, Vice-Chairman | International Critical Control Rooms Alliance
Speaker:
Faisal Al Maazmi, Director Protective Services | Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City
14:15 - 14:50
Integrated Command Centre Operations: Integration in Action
Panellists from diverse sectors share how multi-discipline control rooms are driving operational agility, shared intelligence, and better incident outcomes.
Panellists
- Simon Whitehouse, Director of Security Consultancy | AESG
- Abdullah AlShammari, Director of Emergency & Crisis Management Operations| Confidential Government
- Dr. Jack Andrew Harding, Assistant Professor – Masters in Intelligence Analysis Programme| | Rabdan Academy
- Fawaz AlSumaim, Head of Cyber Crime Division | Ministry of Interior
14:50- 15:15
Operator Wellbeing: Mission-Critical Wellbeing - The New Operational Imperative
Explore why investing in operator wellbeing is no longer optional - and how organisations are building healthier, higher-performing control room teams.Presentation (20 mins + 5 mins Q&A)
Christina Alexander Alexandropoulou, Security & Market Safety Cluster Manager | Philip Morris International; OSAC Athens Council Chairperson, ISRM Mediterranean Chapter Co Chair
15:15 - 15:40
Beyond Ergonomics: Human-Centric Design for Control Rooms of the Future
See how the next generation of control rooms combines smarter layouts, ergonomic design, and human factors to move beyond just technology, where future-ready spaces are built to keep operators comfortable, focused, and performing at their best in any situation.
Geoff Warr, Co-Founder & CEO | CTF Consoles
15:40 - 16:05
Integrated Command Centre Operations: From Screens to Strategy: Building Crisis-Ready Control Rooms.
Shaimaa Kamal, Regional QHSE Manager – North Africa & Iraq | Sarens
16:05 -16:35
Operator Wellbeing/Beyond Ergonomics: Wellbeing and Readiness - From Fatigue to Focus
This panel unpacks the link between workforce resilience, shift work, and control room performance - with examples of what works in high-intensity environments.
Panellists:
- Christina Alexander Alexandropoulou, Security & Market Safety Cluster Manager | Philip Morris International; OSAC Athens Council Chairperson, ISRM Mediterranean Chapter Co Chair
- Ali AlNomais, Aviation Security Manager | The Helicopter Company
- Khaled Awartani, Chief Supervisor EC3 | Roads & Transport Authority
- Shaimaa Kamal, Regional QHSE Manager – North Africa & Iraq | Sarens
16:35 -16:40
Closing
Chris Dreyfrus Gibson, Vice-Chairman | International Critical Control Rooms Alliance
Key Takeaways :
Meet 2026 Speakers
Amit Ghodekar
CISO | Aramex
Ali AlNomais
Aviation Security Manager | The Helicopter Company
Abdullah AlShammari
Director of Emergency & Crisis Management Operations | Confidential Government
Christina Alexander Alexandropoulou
Security & Market Safety Cluster Manager | Philip Morris International; OSAC Athens Council Chairperson, ISRM Mediterranean Chapter Co Chair
Chris Dreyfrus Gibson
Vice-Chairman | International Critical Control Rooms Alliance (ICCRA)
Danny Brotheridge
Regional Security Manager, Europe, Middle East & Africa | Pinkerton
Eddie Reyes
Senior Vice President & Founder | RTSG
Faisal Al Maazmi
Director Protective Services | Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City
Fawaz AlSumaim
Head of Cyber Crime Division| Ministry of Interior
Geoff Warr
Co-Founder & CEO| CTF Consoles
Dr. Jack Andrew Harding
Assistant Professor – Masters in Intelligence Analysis Programme | Rabdan Academy
Khaled Awartani
Chief Supervisor EC3 | Roads & Transport Authority
Mustapha Kebbeh
Chief Security Officer| UKG
Shaimaa Kamal
Regional QHSE Manager – North Africa & Iraq | Sarens
Simon Whitehouse
Director of Security Consultancy | AESG
Col. Santanu Mukhopadhyay (Retd)
Former Director Risk Management & Security | JioWorld Centre (Reliance Industries)
All sessions are CPD certified
About International Critical Control Rooms Alliance
The International Critical Control Rooms Alliance (ICCRA) is the global network for professionals working in, supporting, and supplying critical control rooms across all sectors. Established in 2017, ICCRA brings together operators, managers, suppliers, and policymakers to strengthen the mission-critical services on which societies depend. By fostering international collaboration, sharing operational insights, and promoting best practice, ICCRA helps its members meet the evolving demands of modern control room environments.
