Saudi Arabia to be world’s second largest market for Homeland Security

The rapidly evolving security scenario in the region has placed the onus for increased preparedness on local authorities and institutions to be able to meet the multi-faceted challenges posed by criminals and extremists. This is reflected in the continued growth of the homeland security sector in the region, with Saudi Arabia leading the way. According to research by the HSRC (Homeland Security Research Corp), the cumulated Saudi market for homeland security, forecasted to become the largest in the world after the United States, is expected to be worth around $97 billion in the 2010-2018 period.

The Kingdom boasts 24 separate agencies and organisations, arranged in a three-tier structure, employing more than 250,000 personnel (a number that is expected to grow by an additional 35,000 over the forecast period). Areas of major expenditure are the sanitization of both the Iraq and Yemen borders and raising of a special force to protect vital oil installations.

"There is an increasing push among countries of the Middle East region to install the latest in security systems, surveillance mechanisms and other countermeasures," said Ahmed Pauwels, Chief Executive Officer of Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH, organisers of Intersec Trade Fair and Conference, the international meeting platform for security, safety and protection. "Intersec brings together world-leading manufacturers and suppliers of security equipment and systems, industry experts, government and homeland security professionals from around the region. Enhancing the safety and security of the region involves us all and we are glad to be playing a part in bringing the latest in security equipment and systems to the Middle East," he added. As the security environment around the Middle East region gets increasingly fraught, authorities are sourcing the latest in countermeasures and security systems to suit their increased threat perceptions.