International Security Expo 2025 gathered the global security community in London to address evolving threats and share practical solutions shaping the industry’s future.
From 30 September – 1 October, 9,952 visitors came through the doors of Olympia London to meet with 300+ global security brands spread across the exhibition floor – and to discover the latest solutions coming to market, as well as get insights from the incredible array of speakers.
Visitors came from an impressive 99 countries, representing all corners of the globe.
Dan Jarvis MBE MP, the UK Minister of State for Security, attended International Security Expo to deliver a keynote discussing the UK government’s security priorities, where he highlighted the government’s unified approach to national security: Emphasising partnership with industry, investment in sovereign capability, legislative reform and collective responsibility to keep people and institutions safe.
This is the fifth consecutive year the UK Minister of State for Security has attended International Security Expo, as it continues to be an essential date in the calendar even for those in charge of homeland security.
Alongside a tour of exhibitor stands, the Minister chaired a meeting with the Security Guarding Leadership Group (S12), a new industry-led initiative that will bring together various parts of the private security industry to be able to speak to government with one voice.
Theatres were packed across both days, with visitors taking the opportunity to hear from speakers covering a host of essential topics for those in charge of security for people, places and critical national infrastructure.
A number of top government leaders gave policy updates alongside insights into the latest challenges impacting homeland and international security.
At the Global Counter Terror & Security Summit, audiences heard from Lina Kolesnikova about the key trends and developments in terror attacks, protective security in the face of international tensions from Jon Savell, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Specialist Operations at the Metropolitan Police Service and an important panel looking at hostile vehicle attack trends and how to deal with the challenges they present, featuring Yan St Pierre from MOSECON GmbH, Christian Schneider from INIBSP, Robert Ball from ATG Access and Chris Stevens from SIDOS UK Ltd.
A moving and unmissable highlight on the Summit, the ‘Memorial Museums & the Realities of Terror’ panel discussed how these institutions convey the experience of terror attacks, featuring Clifford Chanin and Noah Rauch from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Lena Fahre from the 22 July Centre in Oslo and Elisabeth Pelsez from the Musée-Mémorial du Terrorisme due to open in France in 2027.
Speaking on the International Security & Resilience Conference, Abu Ahmed, head of the Home Office’s Joint Security & Resilience Centre (JSaRC), explored the evolving landscape of threats to UK homeland security, whilst a wide range of speakers covered topics including OSINT, insider threats, organisational resilience, AI, cyber resilience, the realities of modern security work and hostile vehicle mitigation.
Closing proceedings, a panel explored how to secure the resilience of critical national infrastructure and an essential talk about Martyn’s Law and SIA regulation was one of the best attended of the whole event.
Across the International Security Expo floor throughout both days, exhibitor stands were packed with visitors looking to find solutions to current security challenges, whilst keeping an eye to future ones they may need to address.
From screening, scanning and perimeter security, to access control, intelligence and drone and counter-drone, plus much more, there was a wealth of products on display from a mixture of the biggest names in the industry to cutting-edge innovators with new ideas and solutions.
Returning after a successful launch last year, the 2025 Innovation Awards saw a shortlist of entries chosen by members of the event’s Advisory Council and industry experts.
DroneShield was chosen as the winner for its innovative RFAI (Radio Frequency Artificial Intelligence) technology which instantly locks onto the RF signal between the drone and controller and the first person video feed from the drone, reporting the make and model of drone and its location.
Exhibitors at International Security Expo were impressed with how busy the event was and the people they met on their stand.
Niclas Gustafsson, Group CEO & CCO, Apstec Systems said: “It’s been fantastic meeting customers, partners and industry colleagues from all over the world.
“We’re inspired by the discussions and excited for what’s ahead.”
Kelly Harrison, Enterprise Sales & Strategy Leader, Axon also commented: “A wide range of customers to speak to and the international delegation program is awesome.
“We are an international company so its great for us to connect on a global level.”
There were numerous exciting demos taking place throughout the event.
In the Live Immersive Arena, visitors stepped into the heart of a gripping security breach as anti-oil protestors stormed an airfield following a coordinated cyber-attack that disabled operational technology and perimeter systems.
The situation escalated with stunts, protest theatre and a rapid emergency services response, unfolding live in front of them.
This demonstrated how to deal with complex security incidents, utilising products from Airbox Systems, Axon, Hirsch and Pitagone to show how they actually work in practice.
The ever-popular LPCB Live Testing Lab returned to International Security Expo with 15 exhibitors allowing their products be put to the test by forced-entry experts to show exactly why they have earned LPCB-certification.
Counter-threat demos brought to life the techniques employed to deal with CBRN threats and countering explosive ordnance.
Within the Government Zone, Border Force brought many examples of how it prevents the illegal movement of individuals and goods into the UK, including the national dog team that showed off its skills.
An immersive control room demo from HM Government let visitors step into the shoes of a control room operator during a terrorist incident to see how they would fare.
Featuring over 20 UK Government departments, agencies and organisations all in one location, the Government Zone gave visitors the unique opportunity to engage directly with those who are responsible for all aspects of homeland security.
Exhibiting in the Zone were JSaRC, SIA, NaCTSO (National Counter Terrorism Security Office), DASA (Defence and Security Accelerator), FCDO Services, DBT (Department for Business & Trade), Counter Terrorism Policing and more, along with Immigration Enforcement and NCTAS-P exhibiting for the first time.
Running alongside International Security Expo in the National Hall of Olympia, International Cyber Expo was similarly packed with cybersecurity visitors.
With barely a day passing without news of another hacking incident or cybersecurity challenge, ensuring digital security is more critical than ever.
International Cyber Expo offered a vital opportunity for the industry to come together, explore new solutions from over 100 exhibiting brands and learn from high-level experts across three theatres.
As physical security begins to feature an ever-increasing digital element, this convergence becomes more and more important to those working throughout the security industry.
Rachael Shattock, Group Event Director said: “This year’s International Security Expo and International Cyber Expo have been truly phenomenal and the feedback from visitors and exhibitors alike has been exceptional.
“These events are a true reflection of the industry – both from the exciting innovative products showcased, to the range of high-level visitors who have come through the doors.
“These are truly global events and we’re thrilled to welcome visitors from so many countries, including the numerous delegates attending via our International Delegations Programme.
Shattock finalised: “We are very excited to start working on next year’s events, making them bigger, better and even more essential for the industry.”
International Security Expo 2026 & International Cyber Expo 2026 will take place at Olympia London 29-30 September 2026.
To register your interest or find out more about exhibiting, visit: www.internationalsecurityexpo.com/isj-2026
This article was originally published in the November edition of Security Journal UK. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.
