The 22nd edition of the leading security, safety, and fire protection trade show, Intersec Dubai welcomed over 1000 exhibitors from 56 countries and 33,872 industry visitors.The show had a long list of dedicated features, such as live demonstrations, the Intersec Arena and Intelligence Forums to a VR firefighting experience and Drone zone, which complemented the packed exhibition floor. Intersec 2020 was officially inaugurated by ­Major General Expert Rashid Thani Al Matrooshi, Director General of Dubai Civil Defence; Major General Abdullah Ali Al Ghaithi, Director of the General Department of Organisations Protective Security & Emergency at Dubai Police, and Major General Khalifa Ibrahim Al Sulais, CEO of the Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA).

‘As the region’s premier show for commercial security, fire protection and safety, Intersec plays a crucial role in shaping the future of these industries,’ said HH Sheikh Mansoor. ‘Protecting our people and assets is a principal responsibility for the UAE and with the Expo 2020 fast-approaching, the implementation of new best practices and technology will solidify the UAE’s position as a leader in security.’

Show Director
Andreas Rex, Show Director at Messe Frankfurt Middle East added: ‘No sector is exempt from technological advancement. The emergence of automation, biometrics, artificial intelligence and machine learning is transforming the face of the security sector and helping to address growing concerns surrounding unmanned aerial, cyber and identity fraud risks. As security risks become more complex, so too must the solutions designed to combat them.’
As Intersec 2020 welcomed the global security industry to Dubai, the bullish security sector growth forecast was issued by Business France, the French government organisation charged with fostering French exports and promoting inward investment into the country.
France, one of 15 international country pavilions at the three-day show at Dubai World Trade Centre, is debuting the most advanced technology emerging across seven broad product sectors: commercial security, smart home, cybersecurity, fire and rescue, safety and health, homeland security and policing, as well as perimeter and physical security.

Middle East’s Safety and Security Sector
‘The Middle East region represents a particularly attractive market for the safety and security sector, which is expected to grow around 10 percent per year to 2022,’ said Frederic Szabo, Managing Director, Business France Middle East, which is hosting 15 French companies at Intersec – 11 of which specialise in fire and rescue.
‘Increasing the capabilities of infrastructure, securing power plants and oil complexes, protecting sites and people for major events to come are all excellent reasons for French experts to extend their presence in the region,’ added Szabo.
The four-pronged programme, which includes the Intersec Arena, the Future Security Summit and Intersec Fire Conference, and the Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA) forum, has drawn experts from more than 50 countries to Dubai.

Intersec Arena
During a keynote address at the Intersec Arena on Sunday, Eng. Khalid Al Hammadi, Chairman of the Security Professionals Association (SPA), the first association for security professionals in the Middle East, announced the launch of SPA for SIRA, the Dubai agency tasked with ensuring the highest standards of security and safety in the emirate.
SPA is a platform that allows security professionals to share and enhance their knowledge of industry best practices. “The industry is advancing towards technologies such as AI and machine learning applications, which will be used as part of the security protocols of Expo 2020,” said Eng Al Hammadi.
“This is sure to create an array of job opportunities for individuals within the security sector, and SPA for SIRA will be there to act as a platform that bridges the gap between security professionals and regulators, as well as fostering a platform for knowledge exchange and development.”
“Participating in Intersec enables our members to interact with a global network of security experts and learn about the latest security applications and trends within the industry. This event showcases the latest cutting-edge innovations and technologies in one of the most important years for the UAE, which will support the safe and secure logistics of Expo 2020 Dubai,” noted Al Hammadi.

At the conference, representatives from 35 governments, trade associations and non-profit institutions spanning the hydrocarbon, banking and finance, municipality, police, customs and healthcare sectors in the Middle East, Europe and the USA mapped out the future security agenda over the exhibition days. Digital security challenges, AI implementation, biometric innovations security loopholes in business ecosystems and the integration of digital and physical security to address critical threats were all key topics under the microscope.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Intersec was supported by Dubai Police, Dubai Police Academy, Dubai Civil Defence, SIRA and Dubai Municipality.