Offering security professionals a central meeting point to discover the latest initiatives from UK Government departments, organisations and agencies, International Security Expo has announced the line-up for its popular Government Zone when its returns to London’s Olympia from 27-28 September.

The market-leading security event is renowned for providing the critical link between Government, industry, academia, and the entire end-user community, enabling security professionals from around the globe to strengthen their relationships and ensure they are adequately prepared to take on current and future challenges. And, this year, The Government Zone, returns with a remarkable number of high-profile Government representatives, highlighting the continued support the event receives from UK Government.

With those responsible for border control, transport, security, terrorism, trade, the private sector, and more in attendance, visitors are invited to debate, network, and discover the latest projects and plans for the future from UK Government departments and agencies. This includes Joint Security and Resilience Centre (JSaRC), Counter Terror Policing, British Transport Police, National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), UK Defence & Security Exports (UKDSE), Border Force and Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA).

And, for the first time, International Security Expo welcomes FCDO Services (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Services), a trading fund providing a range of integrated, secure services worldwide to support diplomacy, development and defence for the UK government. They also offer services and expert advice to foreign governments and international organisations closely linked to the UK; the Publicly Accessible Locations (PALs) team, who are part of the Homeland Security Group in the Home Office, are also exhibiting; as well as the UK National Nuclear Laboratory (NLL), a UK government owned and operated nuclear services technology provider covering the whole of the nuclear fuel cycle.

Live demonstrations highlight best-practice

Along with the chance to network and discuss the latest challenges and initiatives launched by Government agencies, attendees can watch live demonstrations within the Government Zone. Confirmed to take place at this year’s show, Border Force will bring along a classic VW Camper van to highlight how space can be utilised and adapted within a vehicle, to help the modern-day smuggler. Along with vehicle demonstrations, Butch – one of many trained Border Force dogs – will be on hand to offer attendees practical demonstrations as it searches for hidden contraband.

And, joining the Border Force team will be the National Deep Rummage Team (NDRT) – renowned worldwide for their expertise in teaching and searching commercial vessels, utilising breathing apparatus, and medical equipment for confined space search and rescue. NDRT work closely with the National Crime Agency (NCA) and other intelligence agencies to disrupt the supply of drugs entering the UK via the sea.

Government experts share high-level insights

Along with a packed Government Zone featuring a range of agencies and Government departments, the event’s free-to-attend, CPD-certified conference programme will bring high-level Government officials together to discuss the latest security topics, threats and challenges. Among the speakers confirmed to date, Sergeant Peter Lucas, Community and Business Engagement, National Project Servator Team - City of London Police will join the International Security Conference, sponsored by PatriotOne and Rekor, on day one. He will reveal how law enforcement use Project Servator and See Check and Notify (SCaN) to disrupt hostile reconnaissance.

On day two, attendees at the International Security Conference will join Kate Downs, Designing Out Crime Manager – British Transport Police. Kate is the National Manager for the Designing Out Crime Unit (DOCU) where she has the responsibility for designing out crime and offering vulnerability advice to internal and external partners. Meanwhile, Anita Friend, Head of the Defence and Security Accelerator – Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) will explain why innovation should be at the forefront of national security, and what DASA is doing to support this.

Also on the second day the International Risk and Resilience Conference, supported by conference partner Resilience First, will look at high-level policy issues with more practical advice from those who were instrumental in creating it. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from the Minister for Government Resilience and Efficiency, who will outline the post-pandemic developments in the Government’s approach to resilience planning and implementation. This post supports the Minister for the Cabinet Office in delivering Cabinet Office policy, and has responsibility for efficiency, resilience planning and cybersecurity. This will be a unique opportunity for attendees to hear direct from Government officials on how the UK approaches resilience and planning, while gaining valuable insights on how industry and government can work together in the years ahead.

At the Global Counter Terror & Serious and Organised Crime Summit, sponsored by SkopeNow, attendees can gain detailed insights on current and emerging situations from those within Government who set counter terror policy, as well as those responsible for keeping us safe including Counter Terror Police UK and NaCTSO (National Counter Terror Security Office), as well as senior speakers from the Homeland Security Group (HSG), including Shaun Hipgrave, Director Protect and Prepare - Homeland Security Group (HSG), and the Publicly Accessible Locations (PALs) Team. One such transformational piece of legislation under discussion will be the new Protect Duty, where experts will break down the detail behind the policy and the subsequent legislation. While the International Risk and Resilience Conference will look at how Government resilience planning is performed, as well as its impact both on enterprise and SMEs.

Coupled with its long history of Government support, a carefully curated Advisory Council made up of the most credible Government, industry and leading academic stakeholders return to ensure this year’s International Security Expo accurately reflects the security industry and covers the full spectrum of security trends. An impressive 68 industry experts sit on this panel, including new members Anna-Liisa Tampuu, Co-Chair of the Inclusive Security Special Interest Group, The Security Institute; Satia Rai, Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, IPSA; Letitia Emeana, Head of Security at Unilever and Chairwoman of the UK ASIS Chapter; and Beena Chester, Director of Business Engagement, Resilience First.

Rachael Shattock, Event Director, International Security Expo, added: “We pride ourselves on being the place where global security leaders and experts, academics and specialists come together to network and discuss the latest challenges and trends with policymakers and government leaders. This year is no exception with a raft of impressive and experienced speakers ready to share their knowledge with attendees. There is no other event that provides the vital link to strengthen relationships between Government, industry, academia, and the entire end-user community. We’re looking forward to welcoming back an impressive array of Government representatives, and the wider security community for what promises to be a stimulating and insightful two days.”