Biometric security technology generating avid interest across the Middle East
Governments and institutions alike are increasingly turning to technology to combat and counter the threats posed by sophisticated criminals and terrorists around the world. As the threat perception grows, security agencies are investing in cutting edge technologies to preserve a safe and secure environment.
The use of biometrics as a fool proof means to verify identity in an attempt to weed out criminals with false documents is not a new phenomenon. However, a growing trend has been identified within both governments and the private sector to increasingly harness this powerful tool in order to keep home and corporate environments safe.
“The growth in the biometric security market is remarkable,” said Ahmed Pauwels, Chief Executive Officer of Epoc Messe Frankfurt, organisers of the Middle East’s premier safety and security trade fair and conference, Intersec. “Industry figures estimate that worldwide revenues from the biometric market will treble to US $14 billion (AED 51.4 billion) by 2015,” he added.
“The latest in biometric security devices and machinery from the world’s leading manufacturers will be on display at Intersec. Both the public and private sector in the region are increasingly interested in incorporating biometric technology as part of their overall security environment. We have seen the growth in finger scans, eye scans and facial recognition technology in airports and security-sensitive sites across the region,” Pauwels stated.
Currently it is government and homeland security agencies who are the largest users of biometric technology globally with widespread deployment of finger/eye scanning and facial recognition devices at airports, sea ports and border posts across the region. More recently there has been an increase in those interested from within the corporate world too, not just in perimeter security and access control, but also as a means to protect access to corporate networks, PCs and classified information.
According to Stewart Hefferman, Chief Executive Officer of Omniperception, and speaker at the Commercial Security in a Changing Economy Conference, “Historically, governments led the adoption, and use, of biometric technologies. Today, this is no longer the case. Yesterday’s biometric technologies have become today’s biometric products and it is these products that are now commonly used in mission critical corporate environments. We continue to see an increasing demand for biometric products in the corporate sector and we cannot see this trend reversing anytime in the near future.”
In addition to the conference, companies such as Al Aqili Future Technologies, Avigilon, L1 Identity Solutions Bioscript, Enterprise, Locktronix, Screen Check Middle East, Suprema, Integrated Systems LLC, Virdi, ZK Software and others presented the latest solutions and technologies in the biometrics industry during the Intersec exhibition in January.
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Intersec trade fair and conference has played a major role in the last 12 years in reflecting the security industry worldwide. The exhibition and conference combines a strong international profile, with a huge regional impact.
Intersec 2011 showcased the latest technologies and apparatus in Commercial Security & Information Security, Aviation, Homeland Security & Policing, Fire & Rescue and Safety & Health.
www.intersecexpo.com
Company profile
EPOC Messe Frankfurt GmbH is a subsidiary of Messe Frankfurt, Germany’s leading trade fair organiser. With 450 million Euros in sales in 2010* and more than 1,770 employees worldwide, Messe Frankfurt brings 800 years of experience to Dubai, the strategic hub for the region. The Messe Frankfurt Group has a global network of 28 subsidiaries, five branch offices and 52 international Sales Partners giving it a presence for its customers in more than 150 countries.
The successful portfolio of events of Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH in Dubai includes: Intersec trade fair and conference, Materials Handling Middle East, Hardware+Tools Middle East, Garden+Landscaping Middle East, Light Middle East, Beautyworld Middle East, Automechanika Middle East, and now also Paperworld Middle East and Playworld Middle East.
For more information, please visit our website at: www.uae.messefrankfurt.com
*Preliminary figures for 2010
