Intersec Dubai 2013, the business and networking event for security, safety and fire protection in the Middle East recently concluded its 15th and largest yet edition (Dubai, 15-17 January 2013).

Featuring 990 exhibitors from 54 countries, Intersec 2013 was 7% larger than the previous edition and welcomed 21,615 visitors from 118 countries, enjoying a 10% growth in trade visitor numbers.

Intersec 2013 was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who was accompanied by senior officials from Dubai Civil Defence, Dubai Police, Dubai Police Academy and Mr. Hans-Joachim Otto, the German Parliamentary State Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. The top five visiting countries after the UAE were Saudi Arabia, Iran, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait.

Intersec 2013 featured 10 of the world’s top 10 security companies as ranked by a&s magazine in 2012 as well as 33 of the top 50, including: Honeywell Security, Bosch Security Systems, Safran, ASSA ABLOY, HIKVISION Digital Technology, FLIR Systems, AXIS Communications, Samsung Techwin, Tyco International and Dahua Technology.

The event featured 13 country pavilions, namely China, UK, Germany, Italy, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, India, Bahrain, France and USA.

Some of the notable trends at Intersec spanned from the rising increase in demand for HD CCTV and PSIM (Physical Security Information Management) solutions to hybrid security solutions and biometric security. This also reflected the results of the BSIA (British Security Industry Association’s) Export Council research carried out prior to the show.

Each of the four show sections (Commercial & Information Security, Fire & Rescue, Homeland Security & Policing and Safety & Health) highlighted some of the latest trends in their respective industries.

The latest technologies available were on show with many first time exhibitors participating such as Canon, Jaguar & Land Rover, NEC, Schott, Penstair and WH Bence.

Some of the new launches that attracted much attention at Intersec included Avon Barrier Company’s vehicle blockers and crash barriers, ASSA ABLOY’s wireless locking systems, Asis Technology and their IP Access Control solutions, Artec ID’s latest 3-D facial recognition systems, CEM Systems emerald™, a multi functional intelligent access terminal, Gantner’s mobile access smartphone and Kaba’s global launch of a drugs and explosives sniffing cabin – a worldwide innovation.

Taking place on the sidelines of Intersec was a series of conferences. The Fire Safety Standards and Regulations Forum covered issues relating to the protection of people and assets. The International Water Mist Association Seminar looked at fire fighting with water mist while the Aviation Security Summit tackled serious discussions on passenger processing and the security of cargo and people. Finally, the Department of Protective Systems, Dubai Police discussed the various aspects of migrating from analogue to digital surveillance systems at a conference held in conjunction with TAVCOM which welcomed over 500 delegates.