Intersec 2024 showcased  innovation and technology in fire, security, surveillance & tech solutions

| 11 min read

Dubai: The 25th edition of Intersec – the leading business event for safety, security, and fire protection – drew to a close, leaving behind an impressive three-day legacy of innovation and collaboration. The event hosted 47,506 trade buyers, including key government leaders, agencies, and organizational heads across industries at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 16 – 18 January 2024.

Intersec provided a platform for inspiring and ever-evolving content through conference programs such as the Security Leaders’ Summit, Fire & Rescue Conference, Safety & Health Conference, Cyber Security Conference, SIRA Forum, Thought Leadership, ESL Learns, and ITU Sessions. Live action-packed show features such as Live Attack Zone, Safety Walk, Innovators Arena, and Hack Arena captivated attendees at the event. This year’s Intersec featured products from 1,100+ exhibitors – a 30% increase from its 2023 edition.

Intersec 2024, the world’s leading trade fair for safety, security, and fire protection, was officially opened by His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Ports and Border Security Council. During the prestigious opening tour of Intersec 2024, His Highness visited several exhibition stands, including Microlink, SIRA, Axis Communications, Motorolla, Genetec, Corodex, and NAFFCO, to name a few. Furthermore, he visited the German Pavilion.

Intersec 2024 showcased innovation and technology in fire prevention, featuring 400 exhibitors from the Fire & Rescue sector. Fire safety was a top priority, with the exhibition’s Fire & Safety segment hosted by Dubai Civil Defense and including 400 local and international exhibitors. UAE-based NAFFCO, a prominent exhibitor, showcased a comprehensive portfolio of cutting-edge products at Intersec 2024, including fire trucks, fire and smoke detection technology, fire alarms, and fire extinguishing systems.

Safety and Health exhibitors presented their latest safety wear and equipment collections during the Safety Walk, which was held on Intersec’s main stage. According to diners, noise is the second most reported problem in restaurants, underscoring the importance of leveraging technology for good acoustics. Cutting-edge Trends in Data-Driven Video Technology were unveiled at Intersec 2024 by Milestone Systems, showcasing innovative tech-driven solutions for emerging data challenges. The complex security risks and governance challenges associated with the widespread adoption of Generative AI, such as ChatGPT, were also discussed at Intersec 2024.

Intersec 2024 showcases innovation and technology in fire prevention. The event features 400 exhibitors from the Fire & Rescue sector and the world’s largest industry gathering of its kind

Fire safety was a top priority at Intersec 2024, which features the world’s largest gathering of fire and emergency professionals. The exhibition’s Fire & Safety segment was hosted by Dubai Civil Defense and includes 400 local and international exhibitors. The event showcases the latest firefighting technologies and industry best practices while fostering connections between international experts in the field.

The Fire & Rescue section spans five halls at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Products presented include Fire Prevention and Protection, Fire Fighting Equipment, Emergency Alarm & Warning Systems and Rescue Equipment, Evacuation Equipment, and Safety Design in Buildings.

The Dubai Civil Defense Readiness program was committed to protecting lives and property and is part of the UAE’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by the year 2030, placing the country at the forefront of the global firefighting and environmental sustainability fields.

UAE-based NAFFCO was a prominent exhibitor at Intersec’s Fire & Rescue section. One of the leading global manufacturers and suppliers of fire protection systems, firefighting equipment, and safety and security systems, NAFFCO was showcasing a comprehensive portfolio of cutting-edge products at Intersec 2024 which include fire trucks, fire and smoke detection technology, fire alarms and fire extinguishing systems. 

Elsewhere today, Safety and Health exhibitors presented their latest safety wear and equipment collections during the Safety Walk, which was held on Intersec’s main stage. Sponsored by EnSafe Evacuation Chair, Jutec, and Teijin, the Safety Walk feature at Intersec underlines the growing importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) and shares the latest guidelines for PPE use and maintenance.

GCC nations spearhead transformation in public safety and crisis management, PwC study reveals at Intersec   

GCC nations pioneer safer societies by embracing GenAI and reshaping global public safety through technology integration. PwC research shows traditional Command Centres (CCs), pivotal to public safety, are evolving from static setups to dynamic, intuitive environments. The research was revealed at the Security Leader’s Summit taking place at Intersec 2024 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)

In a groundbreaking report unveiled at the Intersec 2024 Security Leader’s Summit taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), global professional services network PwC has shed light on the pioneering strides made by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in reshaping the landscape of safety and security through cutting-edge technological adoption, specifically in GenAI (Generative Artificial Intelligence).

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, this milestone edition of Intersec celebrates a quarter-century of innovation in security technology. It unites over 45,000 global security professionals and 1,000 exhibitors as the world’s leading trade fair for security, safety, and fire protection industries.

The research titled “Reimagining Command Centres of the Future” highlights how the conventional Command Centres (CCs), pivotal to public safety, are undergoing a transformative journey, shifting from static displays and manual decision-making to dynamic and intuitive environments. This shift, driven by technological advancements like GenAI and emerging technologies like Augmented and Virtual Realities (AR/VR), aims to enhance efficiency, responsiveness, and adaptability in these critical hubs.

During the conference, Sharang Gupta, Director, PwC Middle East, said: “As we navigate a rapidly changing landscape in public safety, the transformation of command centres through the adoption of GenAI is not just advantageous, but essential. Our report highlights the evolution of Command Centers. This transition marks a significant shift from traditional command centres to intuitive Cognitive Command Centres, enabling public safety agencies in improving decision-making, efficiently allocating resources, and proactively addressing the evolving security threats we face today.”

The envisioned Cognitive Command Centres (CogCCs) are poised to revolutionize command and control operations, moving beyond isolated hubs toward intelligence-driven decision-making. By synthesizing data from diverse sources in real-time and harnessing the power of GenAI, CogCCs will enable strategic planning and proactive crisis management, setting new standards for operational excellence.

The report finds that GCC nations, spearheading technology-driven urban developments like NEOM, Expo City, and the Red Sea project, underscore their commitment to cutting-edge innovations like AI and 5G. Emphasizing safety and security as a top priority, these countries consistently excel on global safety indices, with the UAE leading the Women, Peace, and Security Index. This reinforces the Middle East and GCC’s leading role in reshaping global public safety through innovative technological integration, positioning them as GenAI pioneers ensuring safer societies.

Grant Tuchten, Portfolio Director at Intersec organiser Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “Intersec 2024 plays a pivotal role in spotlighting the groundbreaking advancements and contributions of GCC nations in reshaping global public safety. The event is a testament to the UAE and GCC countries’ commitment to showcasing pioneering technology integration, particularly in GenAI, redefining the future of safety and crisis management.

“This event serves as a knowledge-sharing platform, uniting global security professionals and exhibitors, fostering innovation, and underlining how cutting-edge technologies showcased here pave the way for safer societies globally.”

Elsewhere on the agenda during the two-day Security Leader’s Summit at Intersec 2024, discussions centred around the topics and tactics required to redefine security norms, inspire bold strategies, and collectively shape a safer, more secure world. Key themes included future-proofing security, unleashing the power of human factor, geopolitical risk intelligence & security implications, and improving climate security resilience.

Intersec 2024 focuses on tailored solutions for various sectors, including Commercial & Perimeter Security, Homeland Security & Policing, Fire & Rescue, Safety & Health, and Cyber Security, promoting innovation and connectivity across industries.

Axis Communication unveiled four new products at Intersec, featuring cameras equipped with speakers, sensors, and AI compatibility. These next-gen cameras integrate deep learning processes, enabling precise object recognition tailored for various purposes like health and safety monitoring, particularly beneficial in industries such as oil & gas. Additionally, the cameras adjust video recordings based on lighting conditions to ensure optimal results.

Addressing cybersecurity concerns, Wolfaardt highlighted Axis Communication’s proactive approach, implementing cybersecurity measures at the design level. “We prioritize cybersecurity as an integral part of our industrial products. Our cameras come equipped with tools to enhance customer security, including the ability to identify deep fake videos, addressing the latest challenges in the security camera industry,” Wolfaardt added.

According to diners, noise is the second most reported problem in restaurants says industry expert

An industry expert at Light + Intelligent Building Middle East has revealed noise is the second most reported bugbear of diners, behind poor service, in restaurants. Ali Aurangzeb, Principle Acoustic Consultant at WSP Middle East, underscored the importance of leveraging technology for good acoustics.

The importance of acoustics in the built environment was underscored at the Smart Building Summit, a key vertical of Light + Intelligent Building Middle East, with restaurants, the office environment, schools, and residential property all being significantly impacted due to poor acoustics, resulting in disturbed sleep, adverse cardiovascular and psychophysiological effects, reduced performance and increased irritation and changes in social behavior.

According to insights from WSP during the Acoustic Comfort and Noise Reduction session, noise is the second most reported problem cited by diners in restaurants, behind poor service. In the office environment, it takes 15 minutes to regain concentration after being distracted from a complex task by unwanted noise. From an education perspective, 80% of teachers reported vocal strain, with the issue being compounded when trying to overcome poor acoustics.

In the home, the insights revealed children who lived on the lower floor of an apartment complex, which exposed them to nearby traffic noise, had poorer reading scores than children living in the same complex but on higher floors.

Ali Aurangzeb, Principal Consultant at WSP Middle East, said: “By leveraging technology in smart buildings, we can address many of these problems. Sound masking, for example, is essentially the introduction of sound in a space to mask disruptive noise. This is not just white noise being played out of speakers. The spectrum is shaped in a way that focuses on human speech frequencies. What this does is, when walking into an extremely quiet office space, for example, a small amount of background noise is added to raise the noise floor.

“This, in turn, creates a level of speech privacy and noise in the background so you don’t feel like you have to whisper in the office. This can also be used in banks, libraries, and other spaces where privacy is required.”

In addition to sound masking, other technologies utilized to create good acoustics include soundscapes, where a sound or combination of sounds form or arise from a surrounding environment. These can be used as an effective tool to induce a certain mood in a space for an immersive experience, while also masking unwanted noise in a space, such as a lobby, gallery, or exhibition space. Active Room Acoustics can vary the reverberation time of a space by introducing sound reflections back into the space. This is particularly pertinent in spaces that are flexible in their use, such as Dubai Opera.

“Design philosophy should not be limited to the look of certain things; we also need to design for our ears”, concluded Aurangzeb.

Cutting-edge Trends in Data-Driven Video Technology Unveiled at Intersec 2024 by Milestone Systems

Intersec 2024, the renowned International Exhibition for Security, Emergency Services, Safety, Policing, and Cybersecurity, welcomed global companies presenting innovative tech-driven solutions for emerging data challenges. Among the top exhibitors, Milestone Systems, the primary open-platform video management software provider in the Middle East, will showcase its latest advancements in data-driven video technology solutions at this year’s event.

Milestone Systems aims to elucidate how these innovations benefit end-users in the security sector and beyond. As the security industry in the region undergoes rapid changes, Milestone Systems remains committed to leading the charge in facilitating safer and more efficient environments using cutting-edge technology. Building on the successes of Intersec 2023, Milestone Systems and its partners are geared up to unveil research-backed smart solutions aligned with the region’s evolving needs.

In their anticipation of industry growth, Milestone Systems has highlighted two pivotal trends shaping the data-driven video technology space:

Trend 1: Synthetic Data

Video analytics software relies heavily on accurately labeled training data for interpreting video scenes. However, biased or inadequately labeled data can compromise software effectiveness and ethicality. Synthetic Data, artificially generated rather than obtained from real-world sources, emerges as a promising solution to tackle bias issues. By introducing diversity into training data, Synthetic Data effectively mitigates bias and ensures precise labeling from its inception, avoiding inaccuracies from human error in manual labeling. Moreover, it safeguards individual privacy and addresses consent-related concerns by using accurate consumer information with permission or compensation.

Trend 2: Responsible Technology

As AI powers the shift in video surveillance towards actionable insights, Responsible Technology takes center stage in 2024 and beyond. The upcoming generation emphasizes responsible innovation, considering the speed of innovation and its ethical implications. Tech companies must integrate Responsible Technology principles into their development, sales, and customer usage practices. A 2023 global survey of 150 technology decision-makers revealed that the majority (85%) expect responsible AI, video analytics, and surveillance practices as a prerequisite for engaging with tech vendors in the future. Reliable Technology is becoming a critical priority and an essential business requirement, set to be a “license to operate” in the next three to five years.

While data-driven video technology continues to shape the security industry’s roadmap, it emphasizes the human element, positioning people at the heart of the solution. Software is a peripheral tool for monitoring and analyzing video scenes, while human intervention as ‘human-in-the-loop’ verifies analysis and makes informed decisions. Human oversight and expertise maximize the value of AI-driven security solutions, reinforcing the goal of creating a safer world.

The convergence of AI and human expertise in video surveillance is poised to revolutionize safety and security. Embracing data-driven video technology and its strategic evolution is crucial in preparing for imminent AI-driven trends in 2024 and beyond.

Experts discuss the security risks of ChatGPT at Intersec 2024. UAE’s National Strategy for AI 2031 aims at enhancing cybersecurity in AI deployment.

The complex security risks and governance challenges associated with the widespread adoption of Generative AI, such as ChatGPT, by organizations operating in the UAE and the Middle East.

According to Gartner, the primary ChatGPT risks related to the security landscape data are privacy & confidentiality and cyber fraud risks. Garner highlighted that any information entered into ChatGPT, if chat history is not disabled, may become a part of its training dataset, for example.

The session sheds light on the existing landscape of governance and regulations within the UAE and the Middle East. Emphasis was placed on UAE’s National Strategy for AI 2031, particularly its governance objectives to enhance cybersecurity in AI deployment. Specific policies and initiatives pertinent to the region were thoroughly addressed.

During the conference, Faheem Siddiqui, Group Director – Information Security, Majid Al Futtaim, said: “It is imperative for organisations to not only understand the security risks inherent in adopting Generative AI but also proactively establish robust compliance frameworks. The convergence of technical innovation, ethical considerations, and regulatory alignment is pivotal in cultivating an accountable and transparent AI landscape in the Middle East.”

As hosts of the Cyber Security Conference, His Excellency Dr Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of the UAE Cyber Security Council, said: “Intersec celebrates a major milestone in 2024 and the UAE Cyber Security Council is proud to support efforts to develop and further grow cyber awareness across the global security sectors at the 25th edition of the show. Hosting the 3rd annual Cyber Security Conference, The UAE Cyber Security Council works closely with the show team to deliver new and innovative content areas, awareness sessions, and workshops, along with encouraging start-ups to flourish in cyberspace. We look forward to our continued growth and strategic partnership with Messe Frankfurt Middle East and Intersec.’

Aside from the conference, Intersec 2024 welcomes 34 cyber security exhibitors, a 10% increase from the 2023 edition of the show, each showcasing industry-specific solutions, including the Cyber Security Council, Fortinet, Alpha Data, Cisco, Morohub, Dell, Malcrove and Manage Engine.

A notable feature of Intersec 2024, In{cyber}, was dedicated exclusively to cybersecurity, presenting cutting-edge solutions and fostering connections among global experts and innovators.