IFSEC 2017 Review: Numbers, Exhibitors and Trends

27,658 security professionals and 578 exhibiting suppliers came together once again at IFSEC International 2017. Taking place at ExCeL London, the large scale security event offered three days of product launches, live demonstrations, networking, meetings and education to an audience from 116 of the world’s countries.

The GIT SECURITY team was on the show floor all three days and here are some highlights we found compelling:

• Arecont Vision introduced the new MicroBullet series of megapixel cameras and many more innovative video surveillance solutions.
• Avigilon previewed the new Avigilon H4 Mini Dome camera line. It features powerful image performance within a small discreet design.
• Bosch showcased a completely renewed portfolio with fixed dome, box and bullet cameras. With BVMS 7.5, Bosch has expanded its range of VMS software with the introduction of the BVMS Viewer. Amongst many more innovations, they showcased their in-Store Analytics and their Cloud-based Installer Services.

• Amongst the solutions at the Genetec stand: Genetec Mission Control, a new Decision Support System (DSS) and the Genetec Clearance, a new case management system that helps organizations manage their evidence and bridges gaps.

• Hanwha Techwin provided live demonstrations of various camera and NVR solutions including: Wisenet HD+ analogue cameras, Wisenet Q entry level camera, Wisenet X cameras and many more.
• To extend its network of partners in the field of collaboration, integration and business development, Hikvision launched their new Integration Partner Program.

• Idis proposes extended warranties on NVRs and DVRs which underpins Idis's signature quality and reliability, while giving integrators a clear competitive advantage and ensuring end users a low total cost of ownership.

• Magos launches cross-platform perimeter surveillance management software: Mass is a fully automated system that handles, controls, monitors, and logs intrusion alerts, based on input from multiple sensors.

• GIT SECURITY was happy to shake hands with Fokko van der Zee, newly appointed Managing Director of Nedap and learn all about Nedap's hot topics.

• Panasonic introduced a new end to end, cyber secure CCTV system: The Secure Communication system is a secure platform and package of data protection elements that work with Panasonic’s IP CCTV camera systems to protect against video tampering and altering, spoofing and snooping.

• Pyronix exhibited together with Hikvision. They showed their latest innovations, as well as provided visitors with sneak peaks and plans that they can look forward to and expect over the coming months.

• Pelco showcased new surveillance cameras: ExSite Explosion-Proof and Optera Panoramic Cameras Take Center Stage.

• Vanderbilt's ACT365, an integrated access control and video management solution, delivered plenty of energy to Vanderbilt’s stand.

Borders & Infrastructure Expo Makes Triumphant Debut
Perhaps the most significant new feature introduced for the 2017 edition was Borders & Infrastructure Expo. Sponsored by Genetec, this show within a show featured the Drone Zone, live attack tests carried out by BRE Global/LPCB in the Attack Testing Zone, a VIP Meeting Service, the UK Home Office’s JSaRC and a dedicated seminar stream.

Focussing on solutions and learning for large scale security threats, Borders & Infrastructure provided a platform for exhibitors never before seen at IFSEC to meet with a new audience of high level security professionals from government, energy, utilities and transport.

Following its debut last year, the Drone Zone was back larger than ever in 2017 and was well at home within the new Borders & Infrastructure Expo. Once again the Drone Zone wowed the crowds with live airborne demonstrations of drone technology from Yuneec and Aviat Drones, among other innovative developers and service providers, this year organised in conjunction with the UK Drone Show. 2017 also saw a larger focus on anti-drone solutions, with a range of exhibitors such as DeDrone showing off their solutions to protect your organisation against UAV technology, reminding visitors the significant threat this developing technology can pose as well as the vast security opportunities.

In the dedicated Borders & Infrastructure theatre, former IATA (International Air Transport Association) chief John Hedley argued that “we’re making life too easy for terrorists” on day one to an overflowing crowd. This set the tone for the rest of the 3 days, with a wide range of seminar sessions well suited to this high level audience, covering a range of topics including border control, anti-terror, major event security and cyber securing critical infrastructure.

Professor Brian Cox draws IFSEC’s biggest ever keynote crowd
Across the boulevard in ExCeL’s North Hall, Television Physicist cum 80’s pop-star Professor Brian Cox gave a thought-provoking lecture on the origins of the universe in front of a record audience at the Honeywell-sponsored Keynote Theatre. Addressing a packed audience, the TV presenter and physicist extraordinaire said he had asked the organisers “if they needed me to talk about safety and security. They said no; just talk about the universe.”

Other keynotes included double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes, rugby union Referee Nigel Owens MBE and Falklands War veteran Simon Weston CBE, which all provided a well-balanced contrast to the four security specific seminar streams within the main area of IFSEC International.

Products launch at discounted prices
As usual, a huge number of the 578 exhibiting companies chose IFSEC as the launchpad for their new products and cutting-edge innovations. Among the solutions unveiled at the show was Veracity’s end-to-end command and control system, Edesix’s new body-worn camera series, Calipsa’s AI-powered video monitoring platform and Redvision’s “quietest, fastest ever” PTZ and mould-breaking rugged camera enclosure. IDIS, meanwhile, introduced a new seven-year warranty – the longest in the industry.

This year IFSEC’s organisers had been able to formalise the vast range of discounts on offer from their exhibitors and launched the ‘IFSEC Discount Programme’ at the June event. The programme gave visitors a lot more clarity on the tangible and financial benefits they’d receive from the 3 days away from the office, with a range of security’s brand new solutions available at discounts of up to 30% exclusively at the show.

Installer’s gather in new dedicated ‘World’
An area of the show dedicated to installers was another IFSEC first. Sponsored by Risco, Installer World featured the Tool Zone – where, courtesy of Anglia Tools, visitors could sample a wide range of tools and gadgets to aid them in their jobs, and take advantage of exclusive discounts. It also brought them face to face with exhibitors such as Hikvision and Panasonic, gave them the opportunity to fulfil their shopping list with trade distributor’s Oprema taking orders onsite, hosted the ever popular Engineers of Tomorrow Competition, and housed the installer specific Tavcom Training seminar theatre. And when the show wound down, visitors to Installer World were able to unwind and network with recruitment consultants in their new dedicated bar, with sponsors Videcon providing the drinks.

4 seminar streams place further emphasis on education
The seminar theatres were particularly busy in a year when security-related issues have rarely been out of the national and international headlines. In the Security Management Theatre, a packed audience heard how video analytics was “oversold and underutilised” but key to preventing terror attacks.”

The Tavcom Theatre, meanwhile, featured presentations on cybersecurity, preparing CCTV evidence for the criminal courts and how to optimise your network for CCTV, this year housed within Installer World and focussing more specifically on education for this area of the market.

As well as the Borders & Infrastructure Theatre, IFSEC 2017 also introduced the Smart Theatre focussing on the growing world of home automation, smart commercial buildings and integrated security and building management systems. Topics included the risks and vulnerabilities posed by IoT systems, smart data and analytics, and the vast opportunities smart technology poses to both end users and installers.

IFSEC 2017 in numbers:

• 27,658 visitors across 3 days
• 35% of visitors came from overseas, with 116 countries represented
• 3,514 visitors had a security budget of over £1m
• 578 exhibiting companies from 39 countries

IFSEC International will be back at London’s ExCeL next year for 3 days, from 19 – 21 June 2018.