4 6 · d e t e k t o r i n t e r n a t i o n a l
Events
Skydd
Skydd 2024 in Stockholm attracted
over 10,000 security professionals
However, it isn't just the visitor
numbers that have pleased the
organisers it's also the positive
feedback from both exhibitors and
visitors.
"We are overwhelmed by the
positive response we've received
from both visitors and exhibi-
tors after this year's Skydd," says
Monika Johannesen Widholm,
project manager for Skydd at
Stockholmsmässan.
"We've had first-time visitors
wanting to book a stand for 2026
on the spot, and our existing
exhibitors have reported that the
right visitors were present through-
out the week," she continues.
Cyber security
the major trend
Cyber security emerged as a
consistent trend during the three
days of the fair, evident both on
the exhibition floor and in the
seminar programme. Even on the
Technology Stage, where the focus
was on physical security technol-
ogy, cyber security was a recurring
topic.
"Cyber security is something
everyone must engage with,
whether you are a manufacturer,
distributor, system supplier, or end
customer. Cybersecurity concerns
everyone, and its importance
has been further emphasised by
increasing geopolitical unrest,"
says Lennart Alexandrie, publisher
at AR Media International and
responsible for the programme of
the Technology Stage at Skydd.
"The EU directives NIS2 and
CER, which are now being imple-
mented in EU countries' legislation
to protect critical infrastructure
against cyber attacks, have further
reinforced the importance of cyber
security. This is especially the case
since high sanction fees can affect
businesses that do not meet the
requirements."
AI and cloud solutions
Another major trend was the
rapid development of AI and the
opportunities and challenges it
brings to the security industry.
Cloud solutions were also promi-
nent at the fair, whether related to
video surveillance, access control,
or alarm systems.
A strong move towards cloud
solutions was already evident in
2022, but now the market seems
ready to roll these out even for
larger businesses. Many of the
complex solutions now offer pure
cloud solutions, hybrid solutions,
or on-premise solutions that can
be easily moved to the cloud if
needed.
Super-entrepreneurs
shared the stage
The highlight of the conference
programme took place on the
opening day (22 October), when
the afternoon was dedicated to
some of the most influential tech
entrepreneurs in the physical
security industry of the 2000s.
This allowed attendees to listen to
presentations from Pierre Racz,
Dean Drako, Martin Gren, and
Joe Grillo founders of Genetec,
Eagle Eye Networks, Axis, and
Acre, respectively.
In their talks, they shared their
insights on megatrends such as AI,
cloud services, cyber securing of
physical security systems, and the
significance of IoT for the security
industry.
The afternoon concluded with a
panel discussion summarising key
points, with all four entrepreneurs
joined by the ever-distinguished
moderator Markus Lahtinen.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime op-
portunity to see these giants on the
same stage at the same event. We're
incredibly proud that it happened
here at Skydd in Stockholm", com-
ments Lennart Alexandrie, pub-
lisher at AR Media International,
who invited the entrepreneurs to
Skydd.
Strong demand for 2026
The success of Skydd 2024 is also
reflected in the interest for the
next Skydd event in two years,
with around 40 stand bookings
made during the event.
"The demand after Skydd 2022
was fantastic, but the response
from this year's exhibitors shows
that Skydd 2024 is the best secu-
rity event ever held in the Nordic
countries," says Deniz Baykal, sales
manager at AR Media Internation-
al, who is responsible for sponsor-
ship agreements and stand sales at
the fair.
Plans for Skydd 2026
already underway
According to Monika Johannesen
Widholm, planning for Skydd
2026 has already begun to meet
the high expectations created by
this year's event.
"We have already started plan-
ning to deliver an even better event
in 2026," she concludes.
Skydd, the largest security exhibition in the Nordics,
took place from 2224 October 2024 at Stockholms-
mässan in Stockholm. It became a great success.
With 220 exhibitors present, the event drew a total
of 10,395 people, slightly more than the 10,193 secu-
rity professionals who attended in 2022.
P
hot
o
: Camill
a S
ven
s
k
P
hot
o
: Camill
a S
ven
s
k
A once-in-a-lifetime event. The tech-entrepreneurs Pierre Racz, Dean Drako,
Martin Gren, and Joe Grillo founders of Genetec, Eagle Eye Networks,
Axis, and Acre, respectively shared the stage at Skydd.
Just like in 2022, this year's Skydd attracted over 10,000 security
professionals during three intensive days at Stockholmsmässan.