International Security Expo is the UK's largest gathering of the people responsible for protecting businesses, public spaces and critical infrastructure. This year's edition runs alongside International Cyber Expo in the Grand Hall at Olympia, with a Global Counter Terror and Security Summit, an International Security and Resilience Conference, live demonstrations and specialist zones for perimeter protection, drones and counter-UAV, border security and government. Registration is free. The five themes below are the ones your teams will feel first.
1. Martyn's Law is no longer a proposal
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, known as Martyn's Law after Martyn Hett, who was killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. The Government has said there will be an implementation period of at least 24 months before the duties come into force, so operators should be preparing now. The Act applies a tiered approach: a standard tier for premises where 200 to 799 people may be present, centred on simple, low-cost steps that help staff reduce harm and save lives in an attack, and an enhanced tier for premises and events hosting 800 or more, with additional measures. A new regulatory function inside the Security Industry Authority will support, advise and, where necessary, enforce.
2. Counter-terrorism awareness for every officer, not just the specialists
Counter Terrorism Policing's free ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) e-learning and the See, Check and Notify (SCaN) products, available through ProtectUK, are designed for staff working in venues and public spaces: spotting suspicious activity, deterring it and knowing what to do when they encounter it. The Expo's counter-threat demonstrations and the HM Government immersive demo show why this matters for front-line roles. Your officers on reception, at the gate and on CCTV are the ones who see hostile reconnaissance happening.
3. Perimeter protection is measured, not assumed
The Perimeter Protection Zone and the LPCB Live Testing Lab put physical security products through their paces in front of visitors. The lesson for operators is that certified performance beats catalogue promises: know what standard a barrier, door or fence has been tested to, and make sure access control procedures around it are followed every shift. A tested gate defended by an untrained officer is still a gap.
4. Drones, data centres and the new perimeter
A Drone and Counter-UAV Trail and a Data Centre Live Demonstrator reflect two fast-growing responsibilities. Drones change what "perimeter" means at events, stadiums and critical sites; data centres bring high-value, high-scrutiny sites into the security contracts of more companies each year. Both demand disciplined incident reporting and clear escalation routes from the officers on the ground.
5. Cyber and physical security are one job now
International Cyber Expo shares the hall for a reason. Access control systems, CCTV, body-worn video and radio all sit on networks, and the people who operate them are targets for phishing and social engineering. Basic cyber hygiene for security operatives is part of protective security, not an IT extra.
Turn the agenda into evidence
Every theme above maps to a short, certificated course your team can complete this week, with the result recorded on your training matrix and a QR-verifiable certificate any client or auditor can check.
| Expo theme | Induction Portal course | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Martyn's Law and counter-terrorism awareness | ACT Counter-Terrorism Awareness | 30 minutes |
| Spotting hostile reconnaissance | Hostile Reconnaissance Detection | 60 minutes |
| Suspicious items and bomb threats | Bomb Threats & Suspicious Packages | 35 minutes |
| Crowded places and events | Crowd & Event Security Management | 45 minutes |
| Perimeter and access control | Access Control & Visitor Management | 40 minutes |
| Search procedures | Search Procedures & Stop-and-Search | 40 minutes |
| CCTV and surveillance ethics | CCTV Operations & Surveillance Ethics | 45 minutes |
| Cyber hygiene for operatives | Cybersecurity for Security Operatives | 40 minutes |
Pair the Induction Portal courses with the free ACT e-learning on ProtectUK, and you have a layered, evidenced programme: official counter-terrorism awareness from the police, and role-specific operational training with a certificate on file.
If you are at Olympia this week
- Registration is free. The event is in the Grand Hall at Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, W14 8UX; check the organiser's site for opening times each day.
- Prioritise the Global Counter Terror and Security Summit sessions on Martyn's Law readiness and the LPCB Live Testing Lab if you buy or specify physical security.
- Bring your training matrix. Suppliers and clients increasingly ask what your officers are trained in before they ask what equipment you carry.
References
- International Security Expo 2026, event information (dates, venue, features, registration). internationalsecurityexpo.com
- Home Office, Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025: factsheets (Royal Assent, tiers, implementation period, SIA regulatory function). gov.uk/government/publications/terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025-factsheets
- Home Office, Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025: statutory guidance. gov.uk/government/publications/the-terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025
- ProtectUK (Counter Terrorism Policing), Free training and awareness resources: ACT Awareness e-learning and SCaN. protectuk.police.uk/free-training-and-awareness-resources
- ProtectUK, Martyn's Law overview and what you need to know. protectuk.police.uk/martyns-law
Event figures are the organiser's published expectations. Martyn's Law commencement dates and the detail of the standard and enhanced tier requirements are set by regulations and guidance from the Home Office; check GOV.UK for the current position before relying on any date.