Intersec 2026, a major international exhibition for the security, safety and fire protection industries, opens next week in Dubai, marking the largest edition in the event’s 27-year history. The exhibition is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Ports and Borders Security Council.

The event will take place from Jan. 12 to 14, 2026, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Organisers expect more than 1,200 exhibitors from over 60 countries and more than 50,000 trade visitors, reflecting sustained global demand across security and resilience sectors.

This year’s edition has expanded by nearly 12,000 square metres to a total gross exhibition area of 65,000 square metres, including indoor halls and outdoor demonstration zones. National pavilions from countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Singapore, Sweden, China, Turkey and South Korea are participating, highlighting the exhibition’s growing international footprint.

Intersec 2026 is structured around five core sectors: homeland security and policing, cybersecurity, commercial and perimeter security, fire and rescue, and health and safety. Together, they address the operational and policy challenges facing governments, businesses and critical infrastructure operators amid rising physical, digital and environmental risks.

A central component of the event is its expanded conference programme, which features more than 250 speakers across multiple platforms. The International Security Leaders’ Summit will convene senior officials and executives to discuss issues such as artificial intelligence governance, crisis leadership, public-private cooperation and national security strategy.

Specialised conferences will also focus on fire and rescue, health and safety, and cyber resilience. Topics include fire prediction and life-safety systems, workforce protection, behavioural safety, data sovereignty and cyber crisis preparedness. Additional technical forums and workshops will provide regulatory and operational perspectives, alongside professional certification programmes for security supervisors and managers.

Intersec 2026 will also introduce invitation-only executive roundtables led by PwC and Kearney, bringing together senior leaders from government, industry and technology for closed-door discussions on sector-wide challenges. Live demonstrations, immersive response scenarios and the Intersec Awards 2026 will run alongside the exhibition.

The event is supported by UAE authorities including the General Command of Dubai Civil Defense and the Security Industry Regulatory Agency, reinforcing its alignment with national safety and resilience priorities.

Intersec 2026 runs from Monday, Jan. 12, through Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.