Empowering women to join and succeed in the security sector is essential for fostering diversity, improving organisational performance, and addressing gender disparities. 

 

Participants at the Women in Security panel at the Intersec 2024 Security Leader’s Summit, which takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), agreed that appropriate training, skills utilisation, economic empowerment and inclusive policy changes are the main drivers for empowering women in the security sector.

 

The diversification of the security sector requires a multifaceted approach that addresses societal norms, organisational culture, and individual biases. By fostering inclusivity, providing opportunities, and eliminating barriers, the security sector can harness the full potential of a diverse workforce. 

 

Driving positive change

The panel discussion highlighted the importance for governments, industry leaders and advocacy groups to collaborate in driving positive change and creating an environment where women can thrive in security-related careers.

 

Commenting on the remarkable progress made in the UAE to include women in the security industry, Suzan Ahmad Al Ghanem, Section Head - Organisational Resilience and Business, Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, said: “In the UAE, our leaders give us incredible support to the empowerment of women over the years, in all fields. In this male-dominated field, we may face many challenges. We must work extra hard to prove ourselves, get the job done, and do the best we can to serve our country.

 

"Women today have proved everyone wrong. I am very proud when I see Emirati women going to the field. Seeing the percentage of women in our military growing year-on-year gives hope for future female leaders in security.”

 

Inherent dangers

When asked if the security industry is a safe career for women, Lorraine Adkins, Interim Director of Campus Safety Operations at New York University Abu Dhabi, described how, while there are always inherent dangers for everyone in the industry, she is delighted to see that 25% of security officers at New York University Abu Dhabi are women.  

 

Elsewhere on the show floor at Intersec 2024, over 1,050 sector specialists from 60 countries united across 13 halls to showcase their products and services across five sectors - Commercial & Perimeter Security, Homeland Security & Policing, Fire & Rescue, Safety & Health, and Cyber Security - to over 45,000 expected visitors over the three days of the show.

 

Commercial & Perimeter Security is the second largest section of Intersec 2024, with 15 of the top 20 exhibitors represented, catering to the needs of governments and the private sectors, which are increasingly focused on security products and solutions such as access and border control, protective barriers, locks, access control protocols, security guards and many other techniques.

 

Surveillance and AI innovations

IDIS, South Korea's largest in-country manufacturer known for offering advanced, end-to-end video solutions, is showcasing more surveillance and AI innovations than ever at this year's Intersec.

 

Dennis Choi, General Manager, IDIS Middle East & Africa, said: “Video technology is entering a new phase with the development of transformative AI and communications capabilities as well as demand for complete end-to-end solutions for a single manufacturer. This will be one of our most significant showcase events of recent years, with exciting product launches and enhanced solutions innovations.”

 

Other Commercial & Perimeter Security exhibitors include INFOSEC Communication, which launched an energy storage system and electric vehicle charging stations. Meanwhile, Fichet Group is showcasing a range of innovative high-security solutions during this year's Intersec, including the new DeTIS: Detect Trace Identify Secure unified security access control and visitor management platform and the MagTek A5-G doors for high levels of break-in resistance and seamless integration.

 

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the 25th milestone edition of Intersec continues tomorrow (January 18).-- TradeArabia News Service