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The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is delighted to announce it has renewed its exclusive sponsorship partnership with IFSEC. Now in its 50th year, IFSEC is the ever-popular annual trade show and industry gathering for the global security sector, held at London’s ExCel exhibition venue. Organised by Informa Markets, it is the largest and longest running security related event in the United Kingdom, regularly welcoming over 20,000 visitors from the UK and over 115 different countries. Prestige marquee event The BSIA has been hosting its members lounge at the event since 1997, and this year will see the Association celebrating the 26th year of this partnership, showcasing its latest launches and providing a meeting and networking space for members, industry and government stakeholders and potential members. The BSIA has been hosting its members lounge at the event since 1997 Mike Reddington, Chief Executive, BSIA, said: “We value our long standing association with such a prestige marquee event in the security calendar, and the continued partnership with IFSEC is something that is of immense value to both the BSIA and its members." Mike Reddington adds, "IFSEC continues to be an invaluable networking and business led environment for anyone working within the security buying chain across intrusion, video surveillance, access control, and cybersecurity, and we look forward to continue to being able to facilitate these relationships for these sectors on our stand in 2023 and beyond.” Business led environment Gerry Dunphy, Event Director IFSEC & FIREX, said: ‘’IFSEC is fully committed to supporting the UK security industry and we have enjoyed a long and successful relationship with the BSIA for over 26 years.” Gerry Dunphy adds, “We’re equally delighted to be able to renew and our existing agreement and look forward to continuing to provide a dynamic and effective platform for the BSIA to pursue its strategies in the sector, as well as helping them to support and promote the interests of the membership.’’ Users can visit the BSIA stand at IF3450.

IFSEC, representing the world’s largest and most successful series of integrated security events, is expanding into the Egyptian market with the launch of IFSEC Egypt. This event will be held in Cairo’s EIEC on 4-6 November 2020 and will be held alongside fire safety show FIREX Egypt, which takes place for the first time on 3-5 November 2019, and the long-established power and energy event Electricx. IFSEC Egypt introduces the successful IFSEC brand to a large and growing market, providing security and fire manufacturers with a new opportunity to access engaged buyers from across North Africa. Opportunities for the security sector are increasing within this market, which is complemented by the rapid growth of Egypt’s oil and gas industry, adding a further dimension to the event. Programme of urban redevelopment Infrastructure – in particular urban transport – has been the focus of government investment Egypt is the ideal choice for this extension of the IFSEC brand. The country is the third-largest projects market in the MENA region – after Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – and its central location at a crossroads between Europe, Asia and Africa make it an ideal entry point for regional and international firms. Currently there are around USD 17.4 billion worth of power projects and USD 57.4 billion worth of transport projects in the Egyptian construction pipeline – a total projects market worth USD 395.7 billion. Egypt is set to continue this expansion with more construction projects. A 2017 report by HSBC stated the market would witness a 95% increase in cash-led construction spending over the course of the year. In addition, The Greater Cairo area is currently undergoing a significant transformation. Integrated security event Infrastructure – in particular urban transport – has been the focus of government investment, and a plan incorporating metro, light rail and river transport forms part of the ‘Vision 2050’ programme of urban redevelopment. With a national population soon set to exceed 100 million, and with 19 million people in Cairo alone, Egypt’s capital has a potential market larger than the Netherlands, Greece, Sweden, Switzerland and Austria. This makes Cairo the ideal access point to the North African market, and highlights the need for a dedicated integrated security event serving the region. IFSEC Strategy Director Gerry Dunphy said: “IFSEC Egypt is an exciting opportunity to access a growing and dynamic new market and provides a fantastic opening for regional and international firms into the North Africa region." Unique security challenges "With an integrated security market currently under-served by a comprehensive security event and unique security challenges concerning regional industries such as oil and gas, the need for an event like IFSEC Egypt is clear. I believe it will be enormously beneficial to both local security providers and the IFSEC brand itself. In addition, the launch of FIREX Egypt this year means we’ll be prepared to leverage the strengths of this new environment when it comes to the opening of IFSEC Egypt in 2020.”

FIREX International, alongside the co-located IFSEC International, Safety & Health Expo and Facilities Show, has announced that the Protection & Management series of events will be moving to a new dateline of 19-21 May for the 2020 edition at ExCeL, London. FIREX International 2019 dates unchanged  Gerry Dunphy, Exhibition Director, FIREX, explains: “Major business decisions are made at FIREX every year, and the event has been in huge growth in its home in London, as we anticipate seeing for the June 2019 event. Expanding on this, we’re thrilled now to have worked even more closely with the fire safety community and with our venue, ExCeL, to organise the 2020 edition on a May timescale. The customer is at the heart of the much-loved FIREX exhibition, and this will allow exhibitors and visitors alike to maximise this essential time in the buying cycle.” FIREX sees organisations across a host of industries, from construction to government and legislative bodies FIREX welcomes an international audience of installers, integrators, specifiers, distributors and end-users from over 70 countries. In the wake of the number of fire tragedies the community has witnessed on a global scale, the conversation around fire safety has never been more important; FIREX sees organisations across a host of industries, from construction to government and legislative bodies, mark the three days as a key date on their calendars. Fire protection and prevention In moving to May 2020, ExCeL also welcomes the Security & Counter Terror, Ambition and Forensics Europe Expos to run alongside FIREX and its neighbouring IFSEC, Safety & Health Expo and Facilities Show. With fire prevention and protection playing a major role in developments in the security and safety industry, the move further strengthens FIREX’s position as the industry leader in the life safety conversation. This strategic co-location of events will see 38,000 professionals working across fire and security come together at ExCeL London. Exhibiting companies will have access to the entire end-to-end fire protection supply chain under one roof, with visitors able to source products and technology from an unrivalled showcase of solutions. This year’s FIREX International will keep its June dateline from 18–20 June 2019. 

Has there ever been a better time for a security trade show in Europe? Shifting threats such as terrorism and a volatile political climate serve as reminders every day of the importance of security in our lives, and even the role of technology. IFSEC opened in London on Tuesday at the ExCeL centre, covering every aspect of security, from access control and video surveillance to home automation and perimeter security. Amid sweltering heat, attendees came to find the latest-and-greatest innovations to meet changing security challenges. Substance over style Many of the technology announcements were "repurposed" news previously unveiled in the United States at the spring ISC West show in Las Vegas. Even so, there was plenty to see, although foot traffic seemed a little slow on the first day. Several people commented on how IFSEC is different from ISC West. The US market, exemplified by ISC West, tends to emphasise superlatives and flashy market claims, while the European market is more about substance. That observation comes from Moti Shabtai, CEO and President of Qognify, who said he has a larger share of conversations at IFSEC about how a solution can address specific needs. "Europe isn't one single market," he reminds us. "There are more different kinds of customers and different approaches, while the US market has a more unified way of thinking." Safe and secure cities applications (and "smart cities") are more prominent in Europe. While in the US, utility applications are higher profile, driven by a need to conform to NERC/FERC standards. The European market has more different kinds of customers and different approaches "The competition in Europe is more varied, with more smaller players, depending on which product and market," adds Kim Loy, Director of Marketing for Vanderbilt. "It makes it a more dynamic landscape." One variable Loy points to is how advanced each European market is from a technology perspective. For example, the Nordic countries -- Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland -- tend to embrace technology, and Vanderbilt is already seeing success there with its cloud-based products, the ACT365 cloud access control and video system and SBC Connect for cloud-managed intrusion detection. Current events in Europe add an air of urgency to the show. Several recent terrorist attacks have highlighted the need for more and better security. In emergency situations, often the security industry's contributions come after the fact, notes Shabtai. It took police in Brussels, Belgium, five days to find a suspect in the 2016 terrorist attack there. However, technologies such as Qognify's Suspect Search can now sift through databases to find video clips relevant to an investigation within minutes. More analysis of disparate information can in some cases provide predictive capabilities, or at least help direct investigations aimed at preventing such events. Adapting to vertical markets Many exhibits at IFSEC reflect the trend we are seeing of companies expanding their product selection beyond what was previously their core competency. Several video companies, in particular, are displaying an expanding array of products. It's a continuation of the familiar trend of video companies like Genetec, Avigilon, Hikvision and others expanding into access control systems. At IFSEC, Genetec says they are focusing on outcomes rather than technology, highlighting systems designed for specific use cases and vertical markets. Importantly, Genetec's systems provide flexibility to adapt to a variety of issues in various markets, whether a specific vertical or in the United States, Europe, or anywhere in the world. Privacy and  cybersecurity are especially relevant in Europe Privacy and cybersecurity are hot-button issues for Genetec, says Jean-Philippe Deby, EMEA Business Development Director. It's especially relevant in Europe, where the European Union has embraced general data protection regulations (GDPR) that require compliance by May 2018 (The UK has committed to compliance despite the Brexit vote.) It's another element in the industry's growing focus on cybersecurity and systems highlighting "privacy by design." But global business trends are eliminating some of the differences in the security industry around the world, says Dr. Peter Kim, Senior Director of IDIS. Globalisation trumps regional phasing "Perhaps the biggest difference at IFSEC this year is the realisation that there is less of a difference than ever before between the US and European markets," he says. "Globalisation increasingly means access in Europe to brands and their product offerings is more equal than ever before—something you see here at this and all of the major security shows around the world. New technologies are increasingly rolled out globally either at the same time or close together, as opposed to regional phasing." Europe and America have different drivers and priorities at different times, including those influenced by geopolitics and recent crises, which can drive demand for technology to meet specific security requirements, Kim notes. One thing both markets have in common right now is geopolitical churn in various forms—including the threat of terror and a number of significant elections—which can lead to increased uncertainty. "This is especially relevant for government contracts, as public projects, which can be quite substantial from a security standpoint, often stall in such environments," Kim notes. Avigilon dominates the signage and video displays as visitors enter the ExCeL Centre Avigilon dominates the show Avigilon is one company that is introducing new products at IFSEC (that were not previously viewed at ISC West). They include the Avigilon Presence Detector (APD), a sensor that combines self-learning analytics with impulse radar technology to accurately detect the presence of a person even if they have stopped moving or are hidden. The sensor is designed for indoor locations such as vestibules within banks, pharmacies, retail stores and health care facilities. Avigilon is also highlighting a new Mini Dome Camera Line, and integration of its Access Control Manager (ACM) system with biometrics, among other products. Avigilon is making a big splash at the show. They dominate the signage and video displays as visitors enter the ExCeL Centre. I'm looking forward to seeing more interesting technologies in the remaining two days of the show.  

Exhibitors at this year’s IFSEC are thinking outside the box in terms of how they communicate their value proposition and how they interface with customers. In the process, some are rethinking how big trade shows like IFSEC fit with their goals. Panasonic's approach to the 'race to the bottom' Thomas Lausten, MOBOTIX new CEO How Gallagher benefits from IFSEC without exhibiting Panasonic Systems Communications Europe Panasonic Systems Communications Europe is one of several companies emphasising solutions at IFSEC rather than products. In Panasonic's case, the approach helps to explain why the company doesn't have a traditional trade show stand. Instead, Panasonic opted to sponsor sessions in the security management education theatre on the show floor, and to host potential customers in a (quieter, cooler) meeting room upstairs. "We are inviting some of our key integrators for general business meetings in a relaxed environment, and offering two lunch-and-learn events about cybersecurity," says John Boyle, Panasonic's Country Manager for the UK and Ireland. There was standing-room only at the cybersecurity events, he adds. TBS specialises in 3D touchless biometrics and offers a full portfolio of fingerprint biometric technologies Compelling value proposition Trade shows seem historically to be about "here's our new box," Boyle observes. "We would rather talk to customers and channel partners about what issues they face, whether it's counting people or detecting scenes." Panasonic is creating solutions that combine their own technologies with third party partners filling in any gaps. "We are creating value propositions that we can take to integrators. They need a new story to tell their customers, not just a new box. Let's look at Panasonic's technology and how that adds value. If we have a compelling value proposition, we are giving our integrators an opportunity to get more business." Boyle acknowledges that the Panasonic approach is a way to bypass the price-focused "race to the bottom" that is lowering camera prices. "Pricing comes later if the value of a solution has already been established," he notes. Touchless Biometric Systems Philippe Niederhauser, Head of Sales and Marketing for Touchless Biometric Systems (TBS), Switzerland, is amazed at how many people come to IFSEC seemingly to browse around with little focus on what they need. "There are people who don't really know what they are looking for," he comments. "If I go to a trade show, I know exactly what I want." Niederhauser also sees some of his fellow exhibitors missing the boat in terms of marketing, tending to emphasise products rather than solutions. "Some people just put products out there, and they look similar; it is hard to differentiate," he says. "This is where you need to show a difference in products, and communicate the value proposition." TBS specialises in 3D touchless biometrics, and offers a full portfolio of fingerprint biometric technologies, also including 2D optical, 2D capacitative, and 2D multispectral systems. MOBOTIX keeps focus on technology A challenge in Thomas Lausten's new position is to communicate the advantages of MOBOTIX more effectively to the market Trends at this year's show are a big emphasis on cybersecurity, more integrated systems and applications that extend beyond the traditional definition of security, says Thomas Lausten, who just joined MOBOTIX as the new CEO. Cybersecurity is a strong suit of MOBOTIX, given the German video company's unique platform, an approach Lausten describes as "a computer with a lens." He says a challenge in his new position is to communicate the advantages of MOBOTIX more effectively to the market and to achieve the company's unrealised potential. "I don't see Mobotix as a traditional camera manufacturer," he says. "There is a fundamental difference between launching a camera and having a core philosophy as a company. I have been tasked with [managing] a company with a potential to be re-defined. Our mission is to develop a more open source company, although still an end-to-end solution, and a company that looks at the industry in a different way." He says the industry can expect new camera and software releases as MOBOTIX keeps its focus on technology. Quality communication through smaller events Gallagher, a New Zealand-based access control and perimeter security manufacturer, is an example of a company that seeks to benefit from IFSEC without exhibiting at the show. Steve Bell, Gallagher's Chief Technology Officer, travelled thousands of miles to the show for the networking opportunities, and Gallagher hosted a channel partner event in the evening, leveraging the fact that others have travelled to the show. "Trade shows are expensive outlays," says Bell. "For our strategy, we like more focused events, getting smaller groups together. Sometimes the big trade shows aren't focused enough. The people we might want to communicate with only have a short time, and it's a noisy environment. We don't have the quality communication we'd like to have. Smaller events provide more quality time." With manufacturers looking for new ways to engage with customers and build their businesses, the role of trade shows like IFSEC will, of necessity, continue to evolve.    

IFSEC International 2016 by all measures was a successful show. Two of the three days clearly met (or exceeded) exhibitors’ expectations. The third day was slower, but is it any wonder? Heavy rains and resulting commuter train complications would have discouraged all but the most determined. And there was another distraction, too: It was the day of the Brexit vote, when the United Kingdom made history. Results of that momentous vote underlined the sense of uncertainty I felt on the first day of IFSEC, and also ensured the gamut of ramifications – political and economic – that will impact the security marketplace for years to come. So the last day of IFSEC was definitely historic! And just days after the close of IFSEC comes word of another terrorist bombing, this one at the airport in Istanbul, Turkey, again reiterating to the security industry the importance of what we do. Clearly, multiple factors suggest continued instability in the European region, and internationally, pointing to the use of more technologies like those displayed at IFSEC 2016. Canon's complementary camera lines  Axis is expanding its product line beyond cameras into other devices operating on the Internet of Things I had an interesting discussion on the last day of IFSEC with Julian Rutland, Canon’s European Network Visual Solutions Marketing Director. Industry observers (including me) have wondered about the thinking behind a large corporate parent (i.e., Canon) operating two camera lines – Axis and Canon – seemingly in direct competition. For its part, Axis has repeatedly emphasised its independence from Canon, and is also expanding its product line beyond cameras into other devices operating on the Internet of Things. Canon is taking a very different path, says Rutland (who was careful not to comment on “strategy.”) Canon is seeking to complement what Axis is doing, rather than competing head-on. Specifically, Rutland says Canon is looking to leverage their "general business" presence and their "global accounts team" (i.e., the ones that sell Canon copiers, scanners and other office equipment). Canon will sell their general business customers on video "solutions" – in many cases leveraging that other familiar Canon sister company, Milestone Systems. This approach (outside the traditional security channel, where Axis is strong), allows Canon cameras a route to success that doesn’t require them to compete head-to-head with Axis.  And by leveraging Milestone's open "community," they are maximising the corporate synergies there, too. New Canon products at the show included cameras that have an “IR band pass filter” that takes out the glare from halogen headlights for vehicle license plate recognition (ANPR) applications; the stand highlighted an integration with Intelico. Other solutions announced in the Canon stand included integration with Digital Barriers for real-time streaming on cellular networks. The system, for safe cities applications, adjusts image quality and frame rates automatically according to available bandwidth. There was also an integration with Ipsotek (video analytics, accredited by the UK Home Office) for high-end critical infrastructure applications.   Successful year for Vanderbilt I also caught up with Vanderbilt CEO Joe Grillo on the last day. It’s been exactly a year since Vanderbilt’s acquisition of Siemens Security Products business, and it’s been a busy transition. They have been at almost every trade show in Europe during the last year to build the Vanderbilt brand. Vanderbilt has also consolidated its access control platforms into the Aliro 2 solution, which uses firmware by sister company Mercury. At IFSEC, Vanderbilt also demonstrated the SPC intrusion line, including the SPC Connect cloud-based system. Also, the Eventys CCTV range provides plug-and-play installation and intuitive interface for small- to medium-sized installations that require up to 20 cameras. Significant security trends from Nedap “In the last months, you have started to see awareness that, in the physical security world, there is a cyber-threat that affects everything" Daryn Flynn, Nedap’s UK security management manager, confirmed trends I had heard several times at the show. One was the growing awareness of wireless locks (whether online or offline). Wireless locks expand the ability to protect a variety of doors in an organisation – no one size fits all. A mixed topology of online and offline locks provides plenty of options, says Flynn. Another familiar topic I heard at Nedap is cybersecurity, and there is a new acknowledgement in the market of its importance. “In the last months, you have started to see awareness that, in the physical security world, there is a cyber-threat that affects everything,” says Flynn. “It’s becoming much more mainstream.” Flynn says Nedap’s goal with its AEOS security management platform was to create a product that does not have an end of life. The flexibility of the system is an advantage for users, who can adapt to changes – different people, different risks, different buildings – because everything is based on reprogrammable software. “In security that represents value,” he says. “When people invest in a technology, they want a long life.” At Heathrow Airport traveling home from IFSEC, the passenger screening lines moved fast, and my carry-on bag was scanned, thoroughly searched, swabbed for explosives residue, and scanned again — as it should be.