The security sector is readying itself for IFSEC – the major exhibition showcasing systems innovation. Over 24,000 visitors attended last year's event, but what's on the agenda in 2001?
IFSEC is back – and with 'a 15% growth rate' over last year it promises to be more impressive than ever. Monday 21 May to Thursday 24 May are the all-important dates for your diary, when the exhibition takes over Halls 6, 19 and 20 at the Birmingham NEC.

Over 500 companies representing approximately 100 countries will be at the show, displaying every type of security product, service and technology. Technology companies will cover everything from number plate recognition software for CCTV through to sophisticated biometric systems.

Watch out for companies like Complus Teltronic, who will be demonstrating simultaneous voice and video transmission over ISDN for on or off-site monitoring.

What's on
With live demonstrations to see, new products and seminars, it's hard to know where to start at IFSEC. If CCTV is your thing then a visit to The CCTV Village is a must. You will find the largest gathering of CCTV equipment anywhere, and will have all your questions answered.

Also of enormous interest is The Intruder Alarm Village. Live demonstrations led by the world's leading intruder alarm companies will make this a worthwhile visit.

Personnel Solutions, an initiative in conjunction with SITO, will introduce the training and human resource services available to security companies for retaining, training and developing their most valuable asset.

Meantime, the Business Development Area is an 'open theatre'-style arena where you can attend free presentations by exhibitors, with product demonstrations on the latest innovations in the industry. Plus there are pavilions dedicated to exhibitors from South Africa, Scandinavia and North America.

On the social side, a popular networking event during IFSEC week is the Security Industry Dinner and Awards Presentations at the Metropole Hotel within the NEC Complex on the first night of the event (May 21).

Awards are presented during the evening to honour the best new innovative products developed since February 2000, and are judged in the six categories of access control, CCTV, intruder alarms, electronic communication security, physical security and services.

The dinner is open to anyone within the industry, and individual places or whole tables can be booked through United Business Media International. Contact Mirriam Clift on 020 8987 7620 for further details.

  • Visit the website (www.ifsec.co.uk) for additional information. Here you'll find detailed maps of the NEC halls, and where you can find a particular company's stand. You can also pre-register for the exhibition on this website.

  • Further details on the show are available in the special supplement distributed with this month's edition of SMT

    IFSEC 2001: the seminars

    Here are some of the most interesting and relevant topics which will be discussed at the conferences organised by the BSIA... Monday 21 May: 2.00 pm-4.00 pm
    The Human Rights Act
    This seminar looks at the Act both with reference to the public sector and from a private contractor involved in delivering public duties. As an employer or as an employee, find out how the Act affects you. Tuesday 22 May: 10.30 am-12.30 pm
    Covert security
    This seminar covers two areas:
    Covert CCTV and night-time CCTV: practical and design issues
    Derwent’s Shaun Cutler will discuss key design considerations for achieving effective covert CCTV.
    Covert CCTV and the law: a practical guide
    Andrew Holmes of Data Compliance will cover aspects of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. Tuesday 22 May: 2.00 pm-4.00 pm
    Manned guarding: tender issues
    Debate: ‘This house believes that tendering is not the best way to achieve best value’. Does tendering starve innovation? Or is it a good test of the market? What importance should be put on partnerships? Mike Goodman, Lloyds TSB and Wes McGregor of Advanced Workplace Associates argue for and against the motion. Wednesday 23 May: 10.30 am-12.30 pm
    ACPO Security Systems Policy 2000
    Debate: ‘The ACPO policy – 5 months on’. With ACPO representative Tony Lake and BSIA Security Systems section chairman Tim Geddes. The audience will be strongly encouraged to join the debate, so come along and take this opportunity to ask questions and voice your own ideas. Wednesday 23 May: 10.30 am-12.30 pm
    Securing through design – an alternative approach
    Security has normally been understood as locks, bolts and bars and the bigger the better. It’s time to consider who commits crime, when, why and what shapes decisions to offend. Bob Knights and Greg Lawrence (Tesco) show you how to reduce the opportunities for offenders. Wednesday 23 May: 2.00 pm–4.00 pm
    Access control systems
    Patricia Knight of Receptors looks at how a major corporation chooses an access control system from the myriad of systems on offer.
    Biometrics: what is it, what’s available, how does it work? Mike Dell of Neurodynamics looks at issues and applications.
    Entrance technology Integrated Design’s Michael Bystram discusses enforcing the ‘one person, one card’ rule. Wednesday 23 May: 2.00 pm-4.00 pm
    Security solutions: starting from scratch
    Of particular interest to security and insurance specifiers, this seminar examines a layered approach to security. Speakers include John Finney and Alex Carmichael of the BSIA. Thursday 24 May: 10.30 am-12.30 pm
    The changing face of the security industry
    Seminars hosted by the National Security Inspectorate (NSI)
    Seminar chairman: Dr David Holt, Chief Executive of the NSI
    A view from the Government – Graham Titcombe, Home Office
    Changes in the legal framework – Jane Laidler, Gregory Rowcliffe & Milners
    A user’s perspective – Jack Acton, JAC Training
    A security company’s perspective – Stephen Rudge, Eurolink Security Systems
    The technical environment – speaker to be confirmed.

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