Intersec Saudi Arabia 2026 Preview
Intersec Saudi Arabia is considered the leading platform for security, safety and fire protection in the Kingdom. GIT SECURITY recently spoke with Riham Sedik, the Exhibition Director for Intersec Saudi Arabia 2026.
GIT SECURITY: What strategic objectives is this year’s edition in November pursuing?
Riham Sedik: Our objective this year is to ensure that Intersec Saudi Arabia continues to serve as the Kingdom's leading platform for bringing together the people, technologies and ideas shaping the future of security, safety and fire protection. The exhibition is designed to bring together government authorities, project owners, developers, consultants, and global solution providers, thereby creating opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and business development across the sector.
This year's edition will also place a strong emphasis on connected approaches to security, cybersecurity, fire protection, and emergency response. Organizations are increasingly looking for solutions that improve operational resilience and business continuity rather than treating these disciplines independently.
Could you name a few of the highlights or curated thematic areas that visitors can look forward to this year?
Riham Sedik: Visitors can expect one of our largest editions to date, with more than 500 exhibitors from over 40 countries showcasing the latest solutions across security, safety and fire protection. Among the confirmed exhibitors are Bristol, NAFFCO, Axis Communications, Genetec, and Saudi Sicli, demonstrating the breadth of innovation being introduced to the Saudi market.
There will be two CPD-certified conferences; the Future Security Summit and the Fire Protection & Technology Summit, that will bring together more than 110 international experts, policymakers and industry leaders. Discussions will include topics ranging from AI-enabled security and cyber-physical convergence to crisis management, infrastructure resilience and next-generation fire protection. As part of the Fire Protection & Technology Summit, the National Fire Protection Association will lead a dedicated second day, titled Innovating Fire & Life Safety: Bridging Global Standards with Local Vision.
The exhibition itself will welcome more than 500 exhibitors from over 40 countries, showcasing solutions across commercial security, homeland security, cybersecurity, fire and rescue, and safety and health. Visitors will also benefit from curated networking opportunities, including the Premium Club, which connects international suppliers with pre-qualified buyers, project stakeholders, and senior decision-makers.
Which products and technologies will be particularly important this year? AI is likely to be among the most prominent topics? What else would you highlight from your perspective?
Riham Sedik: Artificial intelligence will certainly be one of the defining themes at this year's exhibition, particularly in areas such as intelligent surveillance, predictive threat detection, AI-enabled monitoring and command-and-control systems. However, it forms part of a much broader shift towards more integrated and connected security ecosystems.
We are also seeing growing interest in cyber-physical security convergence, advanced access control, perimeter protection, operational resilience and next-generation fire detection and suppression technologies. Increasingly, organizations are looking for solutions that can work seamlessly across physical security, cybersecurity and life safety to improve situational awareness and support faster decision-making.
The exhibition's conference program will explore how these technologies are moving from concept to practical implementation, while also examining the governance, skills and operational frameworks needed to support their long-term adoption.
Let’s take a closer look at the Kingdom. A significant transformation is underway – the keyword being Vision 2030. How will this be reflected at Intersec, for example in terms of new security, safety and resilience requirements?
Riham Sedik: Vision 2030 is driving a new generation of infrastructure across Saudi Arabia, from giga-projects and smart cities to transport networks, logistics hubs, and major public destinations. These developments need to be safe, secure, resilient, and designed for the future.
Held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Interior, and in association with the Ministry of Interior and Saudi Civil Defense, the exhibition serves as a trusted forum for collaboration, knowledge exchange and sourcing.
During this year's edition, we expect the strongest conversations to focus on integration, intelligence and resilience, with growing demand for AI-enabled surveillance, intelligent monitoring, access control, unified command-and-control platforms, and cyber-physical security strategies. Crisis preparedness and public safety are also becoming increasingly important as the Kingdom continues to expand its urban, transport and entertainment infrastructure.
From a fire protection perspective, there will be a strong emphasis on digital life safety systems, AI-enhanced early-warning technology, the protection of critical infrastructure, and emerging areas such as battery and electric-vehicle fire safety.
The Iran war has partly destabilized the region – and Saudi Arabia is geographically close to several conflict zones. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz also affects the country in a particular way. What does this mean for you as the organizer of an important security trade fair?
The current regional environment reinforces the importance of resilience, preparedness and effective collaboration across the security ecosystem. Organizations responsible for protecting critical infrastructure, supply chains, and essential services are increasingly focused on strengthening their ability to anticipate, respond to, and recover from a wide range of risks. This does not change the exhibition's purpose but does reinforce its relevance. Ultimately, the exhibition provides a platform for constructive dialogue to prepare for an increasingly complex security landscape.
Finally: how is the security and fire protection industry in the region evolving in general? What would you especially like to draw visitors’ attention to at Intersec Saudi Arabia 2026?
Riham Sedik: The security, safety, and fire protection sectors across the region are evolving rapidly as organizations adopt more integrated and technology-driven approaches to protecting people, infrastructure, and operations. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore practical solutions spanning AI-enabled security, integrated life safety systems, cybersecurity, fire protection and critical infrastructure resilience, while learning from industry leaders through the exhibition's conference program.
Ultimately, Intersec Saudi Arabia is where the conversations shaping tomorrow's safer, smarter, and more resilient environments begin. As Saudi Arabia continues to invest in giga-projects, smart cities, and critical infrastructure, the ability to integrate security, safety, and fire protection will become increasingly important, and these are the conversations we look forward to facilitating at Intersec Saudi Arabia 2026.
Intersec Saudi Arabia will open its doors from 16 – 18 November 2026 at Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center. The event is for trade professionals, 18+ only.
