Qatar World Cup Innovation Could be the Future of Public Security at Major Events, Says FIFA Director on Opening Day of Intersec 2023

• 24^th edition of world’s leading trade fair for safety, security, and fire protection brings together more than 800 exhibitors from 55 countries
• Three-day show at Dubai World Trade Centre features Attack Zone, Security Leaders’ Summit and industry innovation
• Drones in focus as homeland security, public safety and cybersecurity all under the spotlight

Dubai, UAE

A Middle East security innovation implemented at last month’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 could be the future of public security at major events to ensure easier and more efficient travel as well as a safer, problem-free visa process, according to Helmut Spahn, FIFA’s Director of Safety, Security, and Access.  

The digital Hayya Card was implemented in place of an entry permit throughout the month-long world football showpiece in Qatar, providing authorities with key security data, including fans’ travel and accommodation plans and ensuring every spectator was accounted for.

Addressing a high-powered Security Leaders’ Summit on the opening day of Intersec 2023, which runs at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) until January 19, Spahn discussed the key takeaways of last month’s tournament and the lessons that can be implemented in at major events, including the next World Cup in 2026, which spans three countries across North America, in US, Canada and Mexico.

“This was my fifth World Cup and each one is unique,” said Spahn. “At the end of the day, it’s all about teamwork, stakeholder engagement, and preparation. The 2026 event will be different as we go from hosting in one city to hosting across an entire continent, so, from an organisational point of view, there is not so much we can take away.

“We did have a couple of security features like the Hayya Card, which was a replacement for visas and made travel really easier, so maybe that is something we can also introduce in Canada, Mexico, and the US. It will be difficult, we know the political situation – especially at the border between Mexico and the United States – but sports can be a driver and change things.”

Attack Zone Draws Crowd

Elsewhere at Intersec 2023, which has brought together more than 1,000 exhibitors from 55 countries, The BRE Group, which delivers rigorous services, standards, and qualifications, ran its first day of the Attack Zone, demonstrating to captivated delegates the resistance assessments it carries out before its Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB), awards internationally recognised security ratings to companies offering security solutions.

It is the first time the BRE Group has performed live demos at the world’s leading trade fair for safety, security, and fire protection in Dubai.

Working behind a Perspex screen and faced with two standalone Assa Abloy steel doors – one uncertified; one certified – a BRE tester used a series of tools, from hammers and hacksaws to crowbars and axes, to attempt to open each.

The tester broke through the uncertified door within minutes, smashing the lock as well as forcefully removing the hinges with a screwdriver. Moving to the certified door, several additional security elements were highlighted as the tester struggled to gain access.     

“Live Attack Testing is the No1 attraction at security shows worldwide and for us Intersec is, certainly by size, the biggest show in the world. It pulls from Africa, Middle East, the Gulf region, Russia and of course India, so it puts us in front of a huge market,” said Richard Flint, Technical and Business Development Manager, Physical Security, at BRE Group.

Sheikh Mansoor Officially Opens 24^th Edition

Earlier in the day, His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Council for Border Crossing Points Security, had opened the show, the 24^th edition of the world’s leading trade fair for safety, security, and fire protection.

His Highness toured the exhibition, which spans 10 halls at DWTC, and visited the Dubai Police stand, where he was briefed on the force’s latest public safety solutions. As part of the tour, he was also briefed by executives from Saudi Arabia’s National Security Services Company (SAFE), on the latest initiatives to elevate the standards and image of the kingdom’s security sector, the Dubai Civil Defence stand, the German and UK pavilions, Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA) and NAFFCO, the Dubai-based leader in manufacturing firefighting products.

D-Fend Reveals Drone Incident Tracker
Meanwhile, on the Tech Stage, drones were in focus as D-Fend Solutions, the leading global provider of cyber-takeover, counter-drone solutions for sensitive and challenging environments, outlined the multiple security risks now in play as a result of the growing use of drones.

By focusing on the most dangerous drones, its technology enables organisations to maintain full control, safety, and continuity during incidents, while also preparing for future threats.

“Drones have been used not only in a war arena, but also for law enforcement. In terms of homeland security, the FBI is treating drones as a real and immediate threat within the country,” said Udi Lowy, adding his company has created an air drone incident tracker to monitor threats around the world.

Lowy also spoke about the various types of drone threats, including off-the-shelf, store-brought drones that can be weaponised. Explaining how sensitive environments – a public event, for example – would require a solution that does not disturb the environment, D-Fend provides a system that mitigates risk after evaluating threat.

High-Level Interest on Opening Day at DWTC
Intersec 2023 is a truly global exhibition for security, emergency services, fire, safety, policing and cybersecurity, attracting more than 1,000 exhibitors from 55 countries, including 10 country pavilions: Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, South Africa, Singapore, Turkey, and the UK.“The high level of interest in Intersec 2023 in the build-up to the event has carried forward into an exciting opening day with great energy, dialogue, deal-making, and networking fueled by positive industry growth forecasts and increased demand for the latest solutions for safety of people, places, and a rapidly evolving cyberspace,” said Alex Nicholl, Portfolio Director at Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the event organisers.

“This is a truly global gathering, spanning security, emergency services, fire, safety, policing and cybersecurity and for the next three days is the place to be to learn, explore, and examine the full business potential of an exciting industry that is growing at an exceptional pace.”

Intersec runs until January 19 with dedicated product showcases for commercial and perimeter security, homeland security, fire and rescue, safety and health and cybersecurity, special features, and a powerful conference and knowledge-sharing programme.

Key highlights for day two of the Intersec Conference include a keynote session from Dr Bushra Al Blooshi, Head of Research & Innovation, Dubai Electronic Security Center, titled “Pioneering Digital Economy: Integrated & Innovative Smart Secured Services Ecosystem”, and a session on “The Present and Future of Hybrid Cyber Warfare”, with Sultan Al-Owais, Digital Lead at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Intersec 2023 will also recognise the best of the security and safety industries through its awards programme, which has attracted 1,256 entrants – of which 54 have been shortlisted for accolades to be presented at a gala ceremony at the Ritz Carlton DIFC on Wednesday, January 18.

Intersec 2023 is supported by Dubai Police, the Directorate General of Dubai Civil Defence, Dubai Municipality, the Security Industry Regulatory Agency, the UAE’s Cyber Security Council and Dubai Electronic Security Center. The event has a comprehensive sponsor portfolio which includes NAFFCO, Saudi Arabia’s National Security Services – SAFE, Dahua Technology, Hikvision, Digifort, Western Digital, Ateis VELOX, Commport, Monitoreal, Honeywell, PERCo, FM Approvals, Huawei, Cellebrite, NX Digital Technology, Onvif and PricewaterhouseCoopers. It will be open to trade visitors only daily from 10am until 6pm.

‘Time to Work Harder to Make Buildings Smarter,’ say Experts at Smart Building Summit 2023

Light Middle East | Intelligent Building Middle East Opens at Dubai World Trade Centre for Industry-shaping three-day show.

Sector leaders from around the world descend on Dubai to discuss and define future of lighting and smart buildings.

DUBAI, UAE

Now is the time to capitalise on technology advancements to redefine how to make buildings in the MENA region ‘smart’ in the region, according to industry experts on the opening day of Light Middle East | Intelligent Building Middle East, the region’s premier networking and sourcing platform for the lighting, design and building technology eco-system, which opened its doors for a three-day run at Dubai World Trade Centre today.

Officially inaugurated by HE Mattar Al Tayer – Commissioner General for Infrastructure, Urban Planning and Well-Being Pillar – Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads, and Transport Authority – Dubai, the 16th edition of Light Middle East | Intelligent Building Middle East is co-located with Intersec to create MENA’s leading trade fair for lighting and building services technology.

A global gathering of industry leaders, bringing together 172 exhibitors from 27 countries, the three-day show got off to an action-packed opening, including the debut of the Smart Building Summit, a meeting of the leading voices from across the construction value chain, designed to showcase some of the latest research and innovations driving improvements in productivity, quality, reliability, cost-savings, waste-reduction, and energy efficiency.

In an opening session titled ‘Keep Up with the Rapid Pace of Change in Smart Buildings: Stagnate or Innovate,’ industry thought leaders analysed what makes buildings ‘smart’ and looked at practical approaches that can be adopted to optimise digital transformation.

“The Middle East has adapted slowly from a tech perspective,” Christopher Seymour, Regional Director and Head of Strategy investment MEASA, told delegates and fellow panellists.

“It has been gradual, but we now finally see it moving into the client space. We have noticed an acceleration with facial recognition and other such features. It has taken 10 years to get to this stage.”

His views were shared by fellow panellists Mohammad Ali Shalan, VP Digital Transformation | Project Management Institute (PMI) KSA Chapter; Wajdi Mereb, Senior Manager – Engineering Digitalization – BIM & Digital Twins; Nizar Jegham, Director – Digital Advisory Services | WSP Middle East; Melani Sabhaney, Partner & Design Director | Interspace and Praveen Thampi, Creative Director | The Ministry of Light, India.

Meanwhile, in a keynote session on ‘Defining Smart in the Built Environment,’ Rohan Chandavarkar, Associate Digital Delivery, at AESG, a leading consultancy and engineering advisory, told delegates that the definition of what makes a building ‘smart’ requires a rethink.

“There is no clear definition of smart building at the moment, hence those such as the smart building associates are creating a framework for its definition. A smart building is one that will deliver all positive outcomes for all users through digital tech to exceed evolving expectations,” said Chandavarkar.

He talked about the need for a noticeable redefinition due to real estate demands, with approximately one in five home occupiers in the EMEA region now prepared to pay a rental premium of over 20% for tech to enable smart buildings, while 79% of office workers would like their office to be equipped with the latest smart-building technologies.

Chandavarkar shared his three drivers for what makes a smart building: Technology, which forces us to re-evaluate everything from user productivity to environmental impact; evolving work habits where office landlords will need to cooperate with tenants to create desirable spaces to attract them back to their premises; and the ongoing climate crisis – operating emissions account for 3/4^th of the 40% of the global CO2 emissions contributed by buildings.

On the exhibition floor, among the 172 leading exhibitors showcasing the latest solutions to address infrastructure and industry needs this week, ABB Industries is catching the eye with its latest street lighting and light management developments.

“We have been exhibiting at Light Middle East | Intelligent Building Middle East every year since 2016. Participation in the show has become very important to us. We have expanded our portfolio and to include our street lighting solutions and smart light management systems this year,” stated Thamer Omari, Product Marketing Director at ABB Industries. “We also launched a renewable energy solution that is cost-effective and technology-driven. Our product can now be controlled using the internet, which will help consumers save on installation,” she added.

“Light Middle East | Intelligent Building Middle East has been amplified this year, with immersive new focused content streams, key knowledge-sharing platforms and industry leaders bringing transformative solutions for the future of lighting and smart buildings,” said Dishan Isaac, Show Director at Messe Frankfurt Middle East.

“The show is proving once again to be both an accelerator and an enabler for the industry, with decision makers and change makers together under one roof.”

Highlights for day two of the Smart Building Summit include a thought-provoking panel discussion on ‘The Smart Building Lifecycle: Delivering Sustainability Throughout’; a session titled ‘Smart Sustainable Solutions for Infrastructure Development,’ and another on ‘How Smart Building Technologies Help Aligning with ESG Goals.’

Meanwhile, the all-new LIGHTalks, part of THINKLIGHT which has established itself as the leading education, discussion & networking platform for lighting, design and technology in the Middle East, will open on Wednesday, 18 January with a keynote on ‘Lighting Design and the Circular Economy – Leading the Way,’ by Praveen Thampi, Creative Director | The Ministry Of Light, India.

Throughout the day, this conference programme will discuss all the angles of the implementation with specific focus on the challenges and the most effective solutions on a regional level.