International Security Expo

International Security Expo is the UK's leading annual exhibition and conference for the global security industry, held at Olympia London on 29-30 September 2026. The event brings together over 10,000 professionals from more than 100 countries, including 300+ exhibiting brands, to address the full spectrum of physical security, counter-terrorism, cyber security, border protection, and critical infrastructure resilience. It is co-located with International Cyber Expo and enjoys formal backing from UK Defence and Security Exports and the Department for Business and Trade.

DATES
29-30 September 2026
2 days, annual
VENUE
Olympia London, Grand Hall
London, United Kingdom
ORGANISER
Nineteen Group
Private events group
ATTENDANCE
10,000+ visitors
300+ exhibitors, 100+ countries

Definition

International Security Expo (ISE) is an annual two-day exhibition and conference held at Olympia London in the United Kingdom. It is organised by Nineteen Group and serves as the UK's premier gathering for security professionals, government officials, policymakers, and technology suppliers working across physical security, counter-terrorism, border and homeland security, cyber security, and critical infrastructure protection. The 2026 edition will be held on 29-30 September 2026. It is co-located with International Cyber Expo (ICE) and formally supported by UK Defence and Security Exports and the Department for Business and Trade.

Origins and positioning

International Security Expo was established by Nineteen Group as a successor to earlier UK security trade events, positioning itself specifically at the intersection of government security requirements, critical national infrastructure (CNI) protection, and international industry. Its venue, Olympia London, has hosted the event consistently, providing a central London location easily accessible to government, law enforcement, and diplomatic communities. Over successive editions, ISE has built a distinctive identity centred on its international delegations programme and its co-location with International Cyber Expo, reflecting the convergence of physical and digital security.

The 2026 edition: new leadership and an immersive live demonstrator

For 2026, ISE has announced Figen Murray OBE, the initiator and lead campaigner for Martyn's Law (the UK's Protect Duty legislation on venue security), as the new Chair of the event and head of the Advisory Council. The 2026 Live Demonstrator, developed in partnership with CrisisCast, will take visitors through an immersive, narrated incident experience set inside a data centre under attack, demonstrating security products and techniques in a realistic scenario. The event continues its partnership with UK Defence and Security Exports for the International Delegations Programme. Visitor registration is free and open.

Where International Security Expo sits in the security calendar

ISE occupies the late-September slot in the UK and European security calendar, arriving just after DSEI (London, biennial, September) and before Milipol (Paris, biennial, November). Its annual cadence and focus on the broad security market -- rather than purely military procurement -- distinguish it from the defence-focused events. The co-location with International Cyber Expo makes the combined event one of the few venues where physical and cyber security professionals and suppliers share a floor, reflecting the increasingly integrated nature of security threats to critical infrastructure.

Who attends International Security Expo

Visitors are security managers, risk and resilience professionals, procurement officers, law enforcement and government officials, and heads of security for corporates, public venues, critical infrastructure operators, and government departments. The International Delegations Programme, backed by UK Defence and Security Exports and the Department for Business and Trade, brings vetted purchasing delegations from international markets to the show. Exhibitors include global brands such as Abloy, Astrophysics, Rohde and Schwarz, Smiths Detection, Rapiscan, Gallagher Security, and many specialist SMEs. 92% of exhibitors in recent editions reported meeting good-quality visitors, and 86% said they generated a good number of leads.

What the International Security Expo format includes

The event is structured across the Olympia Grand Hall exhibition floor, a co-located summit and conference, and multiple live demonstration areas. Format elements include:

What International Security Expo covers

Technology and topic areas: access control, video surveillance and analytics, perimeter protection, counter-drone and counter-UAV, CBRNE detection, screening and scanning, body armour and PPE, border security, smart locks and physical credentials, incident response technology, cyber-physical convergence, critical infrastructure protection, counter-terrorism policy, maritime and port security, and occupational safety.

The 2025 edition in numbers (organiser-declared)

Visitors 10,000+
Exhibiting brands 300+
Countries represented 100+
Exhibitors reporting good-quality visitors 92%
Exhibitors generating a good number of leads 86%
Exhibitors seeing attendees not seen elsewhere 84%

FAQ - Identity and audience

Is visitor attendance at International Security Expo free?

Yes. Visitor registration is free of charge. Pre-registration is available online at https://forms.reg.buzz/international-security-expo-splash-2026 and is recommended to avoid queues on arrival.

What is the International Delegations Programme?

The International Delegations Programme brings vetted overseas government, military, and procurement officials to the event as part of structured buyer delegations. It is backed by UK Defence and Security Exports and the UK Department for Business and Trade. Exhibitors wishing to participate in the programme should contact the Nineteen Group team.

Is International Cyber Expo a separate event requiring separate registration?

International Cyber Expo (ICE) is a co-located event held simultaneously at Olympia. The two events share a venue and some visitor flow, but each has its own identity and exhibitor list. Check the ICE website at https://www.internationalcyberexpo.com for details.

The venue: Olympia London, Grand Hall

Olympia London is a historic exhibition venue at Hammersmith Road, Kensington, London, W14 8UX, United Kingdom. The Grand Hall, which hosts International Security Expo, offers over 15,000 sqm of exhibition space across a Victorian cast-iron structure. The venue is accessible by London Underground (Kensington Olympia station, District line, 5 minutes walk), overground rail (Kensington Olympia station, direct from Clapham Junction and Shepherd's Bush), and bus. London Heathrow Airport is approximately 30-40 minutes by the Elizabeth line. International train services (Eurostar) arrive at St Pancras International, approximately 30 minutes by Tube. Olympia is also within walking distance of West Kensington and Barons Court Underground stations.

The organiser: Nineteen Group

Nineteen Group is a UK-based trade event management company specialising in security, healthcare, and built-environment sectors. It organises International Security Expo, International Cyber Expo, and related events. Nineteen Group is known for its government-aligned approach, advisory councils drawn from senior public-sector figures, and partnerships with UK government export promotion bodies. Website: https://www.nineteengroup.com.

Editorial take

International Security Expo is the UK's pre-eminent security industry gathering, distinguished by its direct links to the Home Office, UK Defence and Security Exports, and an international delegations programme that brings vetted buyers from government and critical infrastructure directly to exhibitor stands.

How to register and what it costs

Visitor registration is free. Register at https://forms.reg.buzz/international-security-expo-splash-2026. Exhibitors should contact Nineteen Group to book stand space; a downloadable exhibiting brochure is available from https://www.internationalsecurityexpo.com/exhibit. A sponsorship brochure is also available for download. Stand pricing is not publicly disclosed and is provided on application.

FAQ - Access and practicalities

Do I need any clearance or professional credential to attend?

No formal security clearance is required for general visitor access. However, some areas or briefing sessions associated with government or law enforcement programming may have restricted access. The event is aimed at professionals and relevant industry, government, and academic representatives.

Is parking available at Olympia?

Limited parking is available at Olympia. Central London congestion and parking costs make public transport the preferred option. There is a Congestion Charge zone in central London; visitors driving should check the boundary before travelling.

Are there networking events beyond the exhibition floor?

Yes. A free Networking Drinks Reception is held on one of the event days. The conference sessions provide structured networking opportunities, and the co-location with International Cyber Expo doubles the peer group available for connection.

First time at International Security Expo? How to prepare

Resources

Official website https://www.internationalsecurityexpo.com
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/internationalsecurityexpo
X https://twitter.com/ISE_Expo
Register (free) https://forms.reg.buzz/international-security-expo-splash-2026/ise-website-header-button
Co-located: International Cyber Expo https://www.internationalcyberexpo.com
Programme not disclosed (published closer to event)