One of the UK’s top national security events, SCTX, returns to London in May with a programme created to help those tasked with keeping nations, people, assets and businesses safe. Here, defence writer Mark Lane previews this major annual event.
Terrorism has become part of everyday life. Over the past 12 months, Europe has experienced some the deadliest attacks in its history and the threat level remains high worldwide.
One of the main issues facing global security professionals today is the break-up of the so-called Islamic State’s ‘caliphate’. Following the concurrent assaults on Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria, it is becoming increasingly likely that terrorists from more than 80 countries will begin to return to their home countries.
This represents a new challenge for security services across Europe. The return of highly trained and ideologically driven individuals will no doubt further increase the threat level across the continent.
Those who retain a desire to commit acts of terrorism will continue to seek new ways to avoid detection, as we saw in December with the Berlin Christmas market attack. It means the security industry must evolve and stay one step ahead by investing in new technologies and intelligence solutions that protect critical assets and people from today’s threats.
In May 2017, Security & Counter Terror Expo (SCTX) – a major national security event for private and public sector security professionals – will return with a comprehensive programme designed to keep attendees one step ahead of those intent on committing terrorist acts.
Alongside an exhibition featuring more than 350 businesses, experts from across the globe, including representatives from NATO, Europol, the Ministry of Defence, the Metropolitan Police and critical national infrastructure organisations, will explore the latest strategies to prevent, protect and prepare for future attacks.
Taking place at Olympia, London on 3-4 May 2017, SCTX unites security professionals from all four corners of the globe. Working in partnership with the Department for International Trade (DIT, formerly UKTI), the event is expected to welcome a record number of delegations, building upon the 10,000-plus visitors who attended in 2016 from more than 100 countries – including France, Germany, Japan, Spain, Italy, Brazil, South Korea, Mexico, UAE, Canada and the US.
The two-day event, aligned with the Home Office’s seven security capabilities, will showcase the latest innovations from major suppliers as well as niche technology providers. Visitors to SCTX 2017 will discover a plethora of new solutions, equipment and services designed to assist critical national infrastructure (CNI) protection, border control, cyber security, major events security, offender management, policing and counter terrorism, and the emergency services.
David Thompson, Event Director, says: “The terrorist threat is changing almost daily and this creates countless issues for security professionals. SCTX is an essential platform; it provides a secure environment to source the latest solutions and define effective strategies to counter current threats.”
Innovation at Security & Counter Terror Expo
The exhibition has established itself as an international hub where the industry elite come together to identify the security sector’s most significant innovations and new product launches.
SCTX 2017 will showcase a wide range of product innovations from more than 350 exhibitors, including those supplying the latest in drone and counter drone technology, virtual reality, surveillance control systems, high security fencing and much more.
Pelco by Schneider Electric, Airborne Drones UK, e2v Technologies, Yuneec and GEOQUIP are among the major multinational companies booked and will join more than 120 new exhibitors offering cutting-edge services and security solutions to the industry.
Preventing terrorism and protecting the world’s civilians
With 127 counter terrorism operations taking place in Europe last year, highlighting the sheer scale of the problem facing security professionals, it has never been more important to share expertise and best practice. Security professionals, law enforcement agencies, government officials and military will attend the annual World Counter Terror Congress to discuss future threats and define joint responses to national security.
With topics ranging from terrorist funding, counter radicalisation tactics and emerging threats, to privacy and technology, more than 20 high-ranking officials and academics will lead the congress, providing invaluable information and insight on trends to more than 400 attendees.
Among those confirmed to speak are Lord Carlile of Berriew CBE, QC; Rob Wainwright, Director at Europol; Dr Jamie Shea, Deputy ASG, Emerging Security Challenges Division, NATO; Raffaello Pantucci, Director of International Security Studies, Royal United Services Institute (RUSI); and Thomas Wuchte, Head on Anti-Terrorism Issues, Action Against Terrorism Unit, at the Organisation for Security & Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Protecting the digital frontier
Cyber security has once again been thrust into the spotlight, with recent allegations of Russian involvement in the 2016 US Presidential Election. The overall number of incidents the US experienced the previous year totals 77,000 – a 1300% increase over the last decade.
The importance of increased cyber security at a national level is now recognised globally, with the UK Government creating the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of GCHQ, in October 2016.
The free-to-attend Cyber Threat Intelligence Conference at SCTX 2017 will host the industry’s leading figures who will explore the latest cyber security strategies and share real-life case studies.
Running across two days in partnership with techUK, the representative body for the UK’s technology industry, the programme will feature NCSC Chief Executive Ciaran Martin, who will provide a keynote address on the current and future threat in cyber space and how prepared the UK is to counter it.
Other speakers confirmed for the conference include Peter Wood, CEO, First Base Technologies; Nader Heinen, Regional Director, Advanced Security Assurance Advisory, BlackBerry; Ron Gregory, Estates and Facilities Compliance Manager, Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust; and Jenny Radcliffe, aka ‘The People Hacker’.
Safeguarding critical national infrastructure
In addition to securing the ever-expanding cyber space, protecting key national infrastructure and businesses is critical for the effective running of modern nations. Terrorist groups want to propagate the notion that no one is safe from attack in the western world and everyday life could be disrupted at any time. Security professionals therefore must look at the best way of protecting communications networks, the emergency services, energy plants, financial institutions, governments, health services, transport links and natural resources.
The Critical National Infrastructure & Business Resilience Conference at SCTX will aim to aid public and private entities to identify, assess, prioritise and protect critical infrastructure and key resources – allowing them to mitigate deliberate efforts to incapacitate or exploit a nation’s CNI.
The conference will feature a series of presentations from experts on how to protect CNI and businesses, citing real-life examples and case studies and instructing how to create effective strategies utilising cyber, physical security and staff.
Securing borders and transport hubs
Running alongside the CNI & Business Resilience and the Cyber Threat Intelligence events, the Border & Transport Security Conference at SCTX will focus on the most critical issues facing borders and transport hubs.
This free-to-attend conference will allow fellow practitioners to share best practice and explore the latest capabilities for secure border and transport management.
Witness cutting-edge technology
Key public and private sector buyers, industry influencers and government delegations from across the globe will attend SCTX to enhance their current and future security capabilities.
At Advanced Technologies Live, visitors will be able to see and hear more about innovative solutions through a series of live demonstrations. Attendees can view the latest products from the likes of Aerialtronics, Dataminr and Aaronia.
New to the event for 2017, Security & Counter Terror Expo will be partnering with DSEI – the world-leading defence and security event – to launch the Counter IED Zone. As well as showcasing best practice in reducing the threat of improvised explosive devices, live demonstrations will enable EOD, CIED, CBRNe, defence, law enforcement, CT and security professionals to identify new strategies to disarm and detect such devices.
Exhibitors featuring in the Counter IED Zone include Bomb Jammer, MIB Electronic, ISSEE and Med-Eng.
Security & Counter Terror Expo 2017 will be co-located with Ambition – the EPRR Expo – and Forensics Europe Expo. To register to attend the event or for further information, please visit http://www.counterterrorexpo.com/
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