Security Essen focuses on counter-drone measures and cross-organisational cooperation
Security requirements for critical infrastructure are changing rapidly. Recent events, such as the discovery of a drone at Leipzig Airport, have once again demonstrated how quickly modern technologies can become a security challenge. This makes dialogue between industry, authorities and emergency services all the more important. Security Essen, which will take place at Messe Essen from 22 to 25 September 2026, is placing precisely this exchange at the heart of two key programme highlights: the European Drone Conference and the Emergency Services Forum.
Unmanned aerial systems open up a wide range of potential applications – from inspecting critical infrastructure to supporting security and emergency services. At the same time, they present new challenges for operators of sensitive facilities. The European Drone Conference on 23 and 24 September will therefore bring together experts from the security industry, public authorities, academia and politics to discuss current developments, the regulatory framework and effective protection strategies. The conference is organised by the Drone Expert Committee of the German Security Industry Association (BDSW), together with Security Essen and the Confederation of European Security Services (CoESS).
Experts discuss drone deployment, detection and countermeasures
Around 20 specialist presentations will examine drone technology from various perspectives – ranging from regulatory issues and the protection of critical infrastructure to detection and counter-drone systems. In his statement, Cornelius Toussaint, Vice-President of the BDSW and Chair of the Drone Expert Committee, will focus on security and drone technology in Germany. Marcus Schermann (DB Sicherheit GmbH) will discuss the protection of critical infrastructure, using multicopteroperations as an example. Drone management, with a particular focus on detection and countermeasures, is the main theme addressed by the two speakers, Ralf Holstein and André Danner (German Business Protection GmbH).
The programme is complemented by presentations on research and development, as well as international keynote speeches from the worlds of politics and the security industry. The central question is how to capitalise on the opportunities offered by the technology whilst effectively managing new risks.
Emergency Services Forum (Blaulichtforum) takes place for the first time
In collaboration with Feuerwehr-Magazin (Fire & Rescue Magazine) and Rettungs-Magazin (Emergency Medical Services Magazine), the Emergency Services Forum 2026 will make its debut at Security Essen. On 22 September, the new forum will bring together public safety authorities and organisations (BOS), the security industry and public authorities, focusing on a key question: How are new threat scenarios and technologies changing security and emergency response?
On stage, experts from the fire service, police, civil protection, the security industry and defence will discuss current challenges: What role will drones and autonomous systems play in future operations? How well is Germany prepared for CBRNE incidents and hybrid threats? And how do control centres, communication technologies and networked systems ensure that a shared situational picture emerges in an emergency? The focus will also be on cooperation between civilian and military actors.
Specialist conferences included in the trade fair admission ticket
Both the European Drone Conference and the Emergency Services Forum will take place directly in Hall 5. Admission is already included in the Security Essen trade fair ticket. Tickets for Security Essen 2026 are available online. A day ticket costs €49. The trade fair is open from 9 am to 6 pm from Tuesday to Thursday and from 9 am to 4 pm on Friday.
Further information is available at: www.security-essen.de
