International Security Expo’s Government Zone line-up unveiled

The market-leading security event – for which Security Matters is once again serving as Lead Media Partner – 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 that the businesses and organisations they represent are adequately prepared to take on current and future challenges.

This year, The Government Zone returns with a remarkable number of high-profile Government representatives, highlighting the continued support the event receives from central Government.

With those responsible for border control, transport, security, counter-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 including the Joint Security and Resilience Centre, Counter-Terrorism Policing, the British Transport Police, the National Counter-Terrorism Security Office, UK Defence and Security Exports, Border Force and the Defence and Security Accelerator.

For the first time, International Security Expo welcomes Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Services, a trading fund providing a range of integrated and secure services worldwide to support diplomacy, development and defence for the UK Government.

The organisation also offers services and expert advice to foreign Governments and international organisations closely linked to the UK. The Publicly Accessible Locations team, which is part of the Homeland Security Group in the Home Office, is also exhibiting, as is the UK National Nuclear Laboratory, itself a UK Government-owned and operated nuclear services technology provider covering the whole of the nuclear fuel cycle.

Highlighting 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.

Border Force will bring a classic VW Camper van to Olympia in a bid to highlight how space can be used and adapted within a vehicle to assist 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 this trained dog searches for hidden contraband.

Joining the Border Force team will be the National Deep Rummage Team. Members of the team are renowned worldwide for their expertise in searching commercial vessels and using breathing apparatus and medical equipment for confined space search and rescue. The National Deep Rummage Team works closely with the National Crime Agency and other intelligence agencies to disrupt the supply of drugs entering the UK from its surrounding waters.

Government experts

Along with a packed Government Zone featuring a range of agencies and Government departments, the event’s free-to-attend, Continuing Professional Development-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 are Sergeant Peter Lucas. Lucas serves as community and business engagement manager on the National Project Servator Team at the City of London Police and joins the International Security Conference line-up, which is sponsored by PatriotOne and Rekor, on Day One. He will reveal how law enforcement uses Project Servator and See, Check and Notify to disrupt hostile reconnaissance.

On Day Two, attendees at the International Security Conference can hear from Kate Downs (designing out crime manager at the British Transport Police). Downs is the national manager for the Designing Out Crime Unit 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) will explain why innovation should be at the forefront of national security in addition to offering an overview of what the organisation is doing to support this aim.

The International Risk and Resilience Conference, which is 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.

Caroline Nokes, the Minister for Government Resilience and Efficiency, will outline post-pandemic developments in the Government’s approach to resilience planning and implementation. Nokes’ 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 also gaining valuable insights on how industry and Government can work together in the years ahead.

Counter-terrorism policy

At the Global Counter Terror and Serious and Organised Crime Summit, which is sponsored by SkopeNow, attendees can gain detailed insights on current and emerging situations from those within Government who set counter-terrorism policy, as well as those responsible for keeping us safe.

One transformational piece of legislation under discussion will be the new Protect Duty. At the show, experts will break down the detail behind the policy and the subsequent legislation.

A carefully curated Advisory Council made up of the most credible Government, industry and leading academic stakeholders returns to ensure this year’s International Security Expo accurately reflects the security industry and covers the full spectrum of security trends.

An impressive array of 68 industry experts serve on this panel, including new members Anna-Liisa Tampuu (co-chair of the Inclusive Security Special Interest Group at The Security Institute), Satia Rai (director of equality, diversity and inclusion at the International Professional Security Association), Letitia Emeana (head of security at Unilever and chair of ASIS International’s UK Chapter) and Beena Chester (director of business engagement for Resilience First).

Rachael Shattock, event director for the International Security Expo, informed Security Matters: “We pride ourselves on being the place where global security leaders and experts, academics and specialists join forces to network and discuss the latest challenges and trends with policymakers and Government leaders alike. This year is no exception to that rule with a raft of impressive and experienced speakers ready to share their knowledge with attendees.”

Shattock added: “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 an impressive array of Government representatives and members of the wider security community for what promises to be a stimulating and insightful two days.”

*For more information about this year’s International Security Expo visit www.internationalsecurityexpo.com