From Paul the Octopus to a Pea in the Thimble conman, dressed in a police uniform and plenty of video cameras this years Security Essen Exhibition had it all as Infologue.com Editor Bobby Logue reports;
“At SECURITY ESSEN this year, there were more than 1,100 exhibitors from 38 nations plying their wares in the security and fire protection disciplines. If it’s a security exhibition anywhere in the world be rest assured there will be plenty of cameras from the basic to the sophisticated, and Essen was no exception. What I found interesting was the intelligence being added behind the cameras and was fascinated at the advance in analytics. One demonstration that was interesting was the analytics being developed by the Austrian Institute of Technology and the speed at which they could track people through databases.
“There were lots of bullet resistant vehicles including one, a CVIT van that was destined for Nigeria that had off road capability. There was a lady next to the off road CVIT van handing out plastic buckets – didn’t quite get that one?
A portable outdoor perimeter system that is supported by intelligent software and has a guard tour system caught my eye as did a high specification night vision mononocular that had video streaming and telephoto lenses.
“The US pavilion was worth a visit as well as the UK pavilion where the British Security Industry Association’s Export Services Executive said “With UK security exports growing steadily year-on-year, creating and maintaining links with overseas buyers and distributors is essential to our industry. Security Essen is a key date in our calendar, providing an opportunity for our members to engage with these audiences and position the UK as a leading force in global security provision.
“Now it was time to track down Paul the Octopus but sadly all I could find was a mural on the Winkhaus stand with a strap line; “Paul the physic octopus: Your success is assured with Winkhaus innovations. Winkhaus, whose credo is always precise, was launching an innovative range of access management, door locking systems as well as window technology. So I left the stand none the wiser as to the fate of Paul the Octopus after his World Cup prediction of Spain. Back at the hotel adjacent to the exhibition I turned down the Calamari offered on the menu.
“One of the “interesting” stands was the FSS, which I was told was the commercial arm of the Russian FSB offering some covert surveillance equipment and other spy apparatus. As it was near closing time I promised to visit tomorrow. Will report on my visit tomorrow, er Hopefully!!!”