Security requirements for critical infrastructures are undergoing significant changes, accelerated by recent incidents like the discovery of a drone at Leipzig Airport. These developments underscore the urgency of fostering dialogue among industry stakeholders, authorities, and emergency responders.
Security Essen 2026 is prioritising this exchange through its central events: the European Drone Conference and the Emergency Services Forum, scheduled from 22 to 25 September at Messe Essen. Unmanned aerial systems offer numerous applications, ranging from inspecting critical infrastructure to supporting emergency services, yet they also pose novel challenges for operators of sensitive sites.
Protection of critical infrastructure
The European Drone Conference, taking place on 23 and 24 September, aims to bring together experts from the security sector, government bodies, academic fields, and the political realm to deliberate on contemporary progress, regulatory frameworks, and robust protection strategies.
The conference will feature around 20 specialist talks addressing drone technology across various aspects
Organised by the Drone Expert Committee of the German Security Industry Association (BDSW) in partnership with Security Essen and the Confederation of European Security Services (CoESS), the conference will feature around 20 specialist talks addressing drone technology across various aspects, including regulatory considerations, infrastructure protection, and anti-drone technologies.
Managing new risks
Cornelius Toussaint, Vice-President of the BDSW and Chair of the Drone Expert Committee, will provide insights into security and drone technology within Germany. Meanwhile, Marcus Schermann from DB Sicherheit GmbH will highlight critical infrastructure protection, showcasing multicopter operations.
Key discussions by Ralf Holstein and André Danner of German Business Protection GmbH will focus on drone management with an emphasis on detection and countermeasures. Supplemented by research and development presentations, as well as international keynote speeches from the political and security sectors, the central theme revolves around balancing technological opportunities with effective risk management.
Public safety authorities
Discussions will include future roles for drones and autonomous systems in operations
The inaugural Emergency Services Forum, organised in partnership with Feuerwehr-Magazin and Rettungs-Magazin, will also debut at Security Essen on 22 September. This forum seeks to connect public safety authorities and organisations (BOS) with industry professionals and governmental entities to address critical questions: How are emerging threats and new technologies reshaping security and emergency responses?
Discussions will include future roles for drones and autonomous systems in operations, readiness for CBRNE incidents and hybrid threats, and the development of shared situational awareness through advanced control centre systems and communication technologies. Cooperation between civilian and military actors will also be explored.
Specialist conferences and admission
Both the European Drone Conference and the Emergency Services Forum will be held in Hall 5, with admittance covered by the Security Essen trade fair ticket. Tickets can be purchased online, with day passes priced at €49. The event will run from 9 am to 6 pm from Tuesday to Thursday, and from 9 am to 4 pm on Friday.
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.
Protection of critical infrastructure
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.
Managing new risks
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 multicopter operations 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.
Public safety authorities
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?
Shared situational picture
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.
