S News meets Charlie Cracknell, Event Director for IFSEC.
Mister Cracknell, IFSEC is surely an important Exhibition for the Italian producers. Which are, in your opinion, the most important aspects, contents and reasons why an Italian producer decides to choose your fair?
IFSEC International is in a unique position, bringing together over 25,000 security professionals from over 100 countries across the entire buying chain; from manufacturers and consultants, to installers, integrators and end-users.
IFSEC International 2012 will deliver the most comprehensive business platform yet for the fire and security market; bringing together product innovations and services that are vital to those responsible for the complete security and facilities portfolio.
A key feature for Italian manufacturers due to exhibit at IFSEC International 2012 is the New Product Innovation Showcase which will provide exhibitors with the perfect platform to highlight new products and solutions. With 67 percent of visitors citing the sourcing of new products and/or suppliers as an important expectation of the show, this new feature will help visitors easily identify the latest innovations. Ninety percent of IFSEC International 2011 visitors found new products or suppliers they had not previously considered using, which makes the 2012 innovation showcase area a must for exhibitors keen to launch products to market.
Which is the idea you have about the Italian Security Market, at the time being and for the near future?
At the macro level, it’s no surprise to learn that national defence spending is hampered by the economic crisis engulfing the country. The national defence budget for last year was set at 25 billion Euros: a reduction on previous years… and that trend is likely to continue. Given the amount of civil unrest this does not bode well for internal security.
However, on that note an extensive market analysis conducted by Frost & Sullivan and published only last November suggests that spend on civil security in Italy will increase from 131 million Euros back in 2010 to 266 million Euros come 2015. That upward trend is predicated on forecasted developments at the seaports, in the utilities sector – mainly around oil and gas – and the perceived need for bolstering Critical National Infrastructures across the piece.
Refurbishment plans for Italian airports are also expected to increase security spending, while national programmes focused on not only transportation but also energy supply will likely augment the revenue streams for civil security sector providers.
These predicted inward investments are motivated primarily by national requirements for new infrastructure and security system upgrades as well as demands set by various European regulations brought in since 2007.
While it’s fair to say Italy doesn’t lack capability with regard to security systems and services, high costs and an apparent unwillingness to adopt advanced security solutions could derail market growth. Growth does appear to be stagnating somewhat, most notably in domains such as border and maritime security (characterised as they already are by the installation of adequate electronic security systems).
It’s likely that aggressive marketing of more advanced products will be needed if end-users are to be persuaded to upgrade their systems. Larger manufacturers looking to sell their solutions will need to keep costs low to compete with a significant number of small-to-medium-sized participants. Evidence of quality checks and aftermarket support to clients will likely be key to success in terms of the bidding process.
Interestingly, the perception remains that there’s not much willingness among Italian security professionals towards accepting the ‘one system, one brand’ concept. Rather, the lead is being taken by those providers who produce security solutions both integrated and interoperable with existing infrastructures.
It’s also worth noting that the subject of privacy is high on the agenda for the Italian people and that may hamper growth in the security sector.
On the micro level, equipment with the greatest sales potential includes airport passenger and baggage screening equipment, cargo/container scanning equipment, access control systems (including biometric identification systems), CCTV systems, perimeter protection systems, fire-fighting equipment, personal protection equipment, anti-intrusion systems, burglar alarms and automated home protection solutions.
The access control sector in particular represents one of the most promising areas for development in both the public and private sectors, comprising 40% of the overall Italian security market. Many Government organisations and private sector firms are enhancing their facilities’ security by implementing bespoke access control measures. At present, the best selling products are centralised (online) access control solutions.
The security market is evolving and developing more and more quickly. From your point of view, being IFSEC an International Exhibition, which are the trends, the mainstreams in this field, both strategically, such as the integration of security and services, or technological, as the IP Networking for example?
IFSEC International has acted as a barometer for the security industry for nearly 40 years, and we are now seeing a real step change in the role different business stakeholders play in the procurement of security solutions.
Emerging technologies, combined with the need to use common IT-based communication protocol for the management and control of integrated systems, now sees the IT department sit at the core of fully converged solutions more than even before.
The convergence of data and telecommunications over Internet Protocol (IP)-based networks now brings security and IT closer than ever. CCTV surveillance systems are a great example as many of them rely on transmission over IP networks, rather than the traditional video circuit. Developed in partnership with Anixter; a leading global supplier of communications and security products, the brand new ipAssured Zone will showcase at IFSEC International 2012. Set up to help end-users and the channel alike, better understand IP and the impact it is having on their customers’ business today and in the future, this exciting new feature area will comprise of an engaging mix of educational workshops and sharing of best practice.
While a greater emphasis is being placed on IP solutions, there are also many legacy systems and businesses that are integrating both analogue and IP technologies; to manage investment and facilitate current systems to create hybrid solutions. Continuing the focus on hybrid solutions, ISM (Integrated Security Management) will once again be sponsoring and providing expert insight and advice at the Intelligent Integration Zone.
Visitors will be able learn and see where they and their business can benefit from creating multi product hybrid solutions and what integration capabilities will help their business security and business management. This is a must- see for any security professional responsible for handling the security of an organisation, including security installers, manufacturers, distributors, IT integrators, consultants, end-users and other key decision-makers.
About IFSEC visitors, which are the most significant reasons why an Italian operator (distributor, installer, system integrator, and so on) should choose to visit it?
We have spent considerable time with visitors, exhibitors and thought leaders all associated with IFSEC International. We wanted to get a real idea of what people want from the show and the overriding feedback was the need for quality content that makes the most of their time on the floor; from business opportunities to professional development. To support this, an extensive seminar and workshop programme will take place at IFSEC International 2012 to help visitors keep abreast of the latest industry issues, legislation and innovations across the fire and security market.
IFSEC International has invested heavily in its education programme this year – here is a snapshot:
– The Security Management Education Theatre has been created for security managers and all those responsible for managing the security of their organisation, such as facilities, estate and building managers, as well as property owners themselves. Highly regarded industry experts from Nottinghamshire Police, Wilson James, Morgans Hotel Group and CornerStone will also be joining the line up at what is tipped to be IFSEC International’s most impressive security management offering ever. Produced in association with TalAcq, the programme will feature a series of 30-45 minute presentations from key industry figures and security management professionals followed by Q&A sessions.
– Next Generation CCTV & Surveillance Education Theatre, produced in association with Digital Grape, will address future technologies within this topical area of commercial security.
– IFSEC International Centre Stage brings together leading associations and industry figures to present and debate topics dominating the security industry in 2012 and beyond.
– info4fire.com Learning Zone – a must for anyone currently involved in or looking to install, design and distribute fire safety solutions.
Supporting the theme of protecting your employees, IFSEC International will also showcase its first ever Lone Worker Protection Product Area this year to support and protect the lone worker. Classified as anyone working alone, without close supervision or away from their fixed base, a staggering 40 percent of the UK population alone are now recognised as part-time lone workers. Sponsored by Connexion2, the product area will showcase the latest risk control measures and device-based solutions for protecting lone workers and help minimise the risks they face on a daily basis.
With 67 percent of IFSEC International 2011 visitors citing the sourcing of new products and/or suppliers as an important expectation of the show, the New Product Innovation Showcase will be of great interest to Italian visitors to the show. It will act as a hub for all things new within the security industry.
How Lighting Affects Surveillance: This brand NEW product area for IFSEC International 2012 will demonstrate how different lighting conditions affect surveillance from low lighting/ambient conditions to complete darkness. It will highlight the difficulties faced and provide effective solutions through IR Illumination, thermal and night-vision technologies.
by Alessio Olivo
