Ifsec and Safety & Health: security, safety and health innovations
Ifsec and Safety Health: security, safety and health innovations. It’s that time again, when the world’s largest annual security event Ifsec returns to the NEC, Birmingham from 12...
Ifsec and Safety & Health: security, safety and health innovations. It’s that time again, when the world’s largest annual security event Ifsec returns to the NEC, Birmingham from 12–15 May. Ifsec is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, and having spent so long at the heart of the security industry, the exhibition has changed dramatically over the years. One day later Safety & Health Expo opens its doors at the NEC.
Ifsec’s humble beginnings commenced in the basement of the Royal Lancaster Hotel in 1973, under the name “ISEC” (International Security Exhibition & Conference). With just over 60 exhibitors largely from the intruders alarms sector, the inaugural show turned out to be a huge success and became a biennial exhibition from then on. 35 years later, the exhibition is still going from strength to strength, with the launch of two new product areas for 2008, along with the return of the eight already well-established product areas.
David Dickinson, Chief Executive of the BSIA, comments: „In its 35 years, Ifsec has become an integral part of the security industry‘s calendar. It has offered the opportunity for security companies to showcase the very best it has to offer – exciting new technologies, innovative products, and recently, the very best in security guarding services. The BSIA has been involved with Ifsec from the very first show and is extremely proud of its role as an official partner.
It has allowed us to raise the profile of our membership considerably and to provide information and guidance to the many Ifsec visitors that attend the event. I look forward to another successful 35 years of Ifsec.“
New Product Area Counter Terror
The first new feature is Counter Terror at Ifsec, the forum for visitors from government agencies, emergency services, customs and excise office, immigration services, police forces and law enforcement services to meet suppliers and learn about new technologies. Highlights will include a live demonstration area where the latest technologies will be put to the test in reallife scenarios, including conflict management, drug and bomb detections, and concealed weapons.
There will also be a conference programme dedicated to the issues of border, port and transportation security, surveillance and protection, major incident management and response, among others. Over 40 expert speakers will present sessions including:
- Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Taylor, Senior Investigating Officer on the Counter Terrorism Command and the SIO on the investigation into the 7/7 London bombings, Metropolitan Police,
- Don Randall, Senior Vice President, JP Morgan,
- Chris Patzelt, General Secretary, Football Safety Officers Association,
- Geoff Dunmore, Operational Security Manager, London Underground,
- David Evans, Project Director 2012, British Security Industry Association,
- Iain Jack, Senior Security Adviser, The International Air Transport Association.
Highlights of the programme include Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Taylor presenting the keynote address on the first day, focussing on how to deliver an intelligence-led approach to combat the terror threat. City of London Police will deliver a presentation about Project Griffin, a joint initiative between the Metropolitan Police Service and the City of London Police providing advice and training to managers, security officers and workers from large organisations across London on security and counter terrorism issues.
New Product Area RFID
Featuring leading systems integrators, card and chip suppliers, software providers and consultants, RFID & Smartcards at Ifsec is also a new area for 2008. It will feature an interactive demonstration area showcasing the technology in action across a range of applications including healthcare, retail, government, universities and transport.
Companies already signed up to exhibit include Deister, Salto, Idesco, and Card Personalisation Solutions.
Security Guarding & Support
Security Guarding & Support Services is an area dedicated to the remit of the security guarding sector and is planned with the full support of the SIA, ASIS International, BSIA and The Security Institute. It will represent the full range of people-based security and training solutions, including front of house, back office, patrolling, electronic, remote monitoring, covert and specialist services. The area will feature the UK’s leading guarding companies.
IP & Networks
IP & Networks will return this year, following steady growth of the electronic security market in the UK over the past year. For the first time IP & Networks will feature an interactive demonstration area, showcasing the latest in IP technologies and how they can work together. Exhibitors will include Seagate Technology, IBM, Simons Voss, March Networks, TEB, Milestone Systems, S2 and AlwaysOn.
On 12 May, the Ifsec 2008 Security Industry Awards will be presented at a glittering reception during the Ifsec opening night party at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham. The categories for this year are:
- CCTV Product of the Year,
- Intruder Alarm Product of the Year,
- Physical Security Product of the Year,
- Access Control Product of the Year,
- Communication Product of the Year,
- Best Security Project or Installation,
- Guarding Service Delivery to Customer.
Apprentice installers will once again have the opportunity to pit their skills against each other in return for fantastic prizes and industry acclaim at The Ifsec Apprentice Skills Challenge. In association with Skills for Security, SSAIB and the NSI, the Apprentice Skills Challenge is a highlight of the year among trainee security installers. For more information please visit www. Ifsec.co.uk/apprenticeskills.
Don’t Ban It – at Safety & Health Expo
Ever heard the phase “it’s health and safety gone mad”? Are you sick and tired of unnecessary bans destroying the perception of the health and safety industry? The health and safety industry regularly takes a beating in the press for banning traditional events and getting in the way of people going about their daily lives.
This year Safety & Health Expo 2008 is launching a new feature area, called “Myths and Realities” that will challenge the “ban it” perception of the health and safety industry. Safety & Health Expo will be the place for those interested in occupational health and safety to learn more about what risk assessment really means.
Within the Myths and Realities area visitors will be able to discover the difference between assessing risk sensibly and responsibly; and indiscriminately banning activities, eliminating risk altogether. The area will feature a climbing wall supplied by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) that visitors can scale* and a “fact or fiction” quiz to find out which everyday activities have or have not been banned. There will also be a driving simulator where visitors can see how well they perform whilst contending with daily distractions.
Ray Hurst, President of IOSH comments, “We do not believe in extremist health and safety ideas that keep people wrapped in cotton wool. It’s all about enjoying life and assessing risks sensibly and responsibly. I’m fed up of hearing about poor decisions that bring health and safety unjustifiably into disrepute.”
BSIF Safety Awards 2008
The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) Product Innovation, Service and Safety Excellence Awards will be held at Safety & Health Expo 2008. The awards celebrate and promote health and safety products and services which bring innovative design to occupational health and safety. This year the Safety Awards include an additional Safety Excellence category and offer a significant opportunity to prove that your company’s new and innovative products and services will contribute to improvements in occupational health and safety.
Award winners will be announced at a high profile Champagne reception to be held on the first day of the exhibition. Additionally the winners and finalists will be displayed on the BSIF stand at Safety & Health Expo. This year the three award categories are:
- Product Innovation: An award for products that are new and innovative and will contribute to improvements in occupational safety and health.
- Service Excellence: An award for companies in the safety field offering exceptional service and innovative service solutions. Voted for by the entrant’s own customers.
- Safety Excellence: A new series of awards for 2008, based upon case studies, highlighting significant improvements in the occupational safety of a company’s employees during 2007.
The awards will be presented by Sir John Cullen, President of the BSIF, Chairman of the judges and former Chairman of the Health & Safety Commission. Sir John comments, “The BSIF believes that Safety & Health Expo presents the best platform to publicise innovation and service and there is little doubt that those entering awards, particularly with a show stand, will maximise the commercial benefit of the exhibition.”
