Security & Policing: The UK Government's Global Security Event

The UK’s security and resilience sector is a silent guardian, operating largely out of sight to protect people, infrastructure, and information from threats most of us will never notice. It underpins the smooth running of everyday life while contributing nearly £12 billion to the UK economy. From safeguarding critical systems to strengthening national resilience, its role is vital but rarely visible.

Once a year, that changes. Coming together at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre, the sector gathers for the UK Government’s official global security event, Security & Policing. Returning on 10–12 March 2026, the event is hosted by the Joint Security and Resilience Centre (JSaRC) of the Home Office and organised by ADS, the trade association for the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space sectors and Total Events. It provides an exclusive backdrop to meet and discuss the latest advances in delivering national security and resilience with leading UK suppliers, UK and overseas Government officials, and senior decision makers across the law enforcement and security sector.

Each year, Security & Policing attracts around 10,000 visitors from over 70 countries. For 2026, the three-day showcase will once again host over 400 leading security businesses, from globally recognised Primes to cutting-edge SMEs driving innovation in areas such as CBRN detection, baggage screening, cyber resilience, and counter-drone technologies.

Last year, more than 80% of businesses reported that they left the event with multiple new commercial leads. Regardless of your company size, Security & Policing offers an opportunity to demonstrate your products and capabilities to a highly targeted audience of senior decision makers and buyers, international delegations, police services and UK Government departments from the UK and overseas.

Engaging directly with Government

Security & Policing gives exhibitors the rare opportunity to showcase their products and capabilities directly to those shaping operational and procurement decisions. The curated audience includes senior figures from national infrastructure security providers, chief constables, police representatives, emergency services, and Government agencies, creating valuable opportunities for meaningful engagement and partnership.

Joining them will be representatives from across Government, including the National Counter Terrorism Security Office, UK Border Force, Security Industry Authority, and the College of Policing – among 30+ additional Government departments.

In June 2025, the Government published its National Security Strategy, setting out a clear strategic framework that recognises the indispensable role of industry in safeguarding the UK’s security. Reflecting this vision, Security & Policing demonstrates how the private sector and Government can closely work together to better deliver effective capability to address national security, policing and serious organised crime challenges. 

A Programme designed for collaboration

This year, there will once again be an extensive programme of keynotes and sessions led by senior UK Government officials, policing officials and industry speakers across the Keynote Briefing theatre, the Spotlight Stage and the Innovation Zone. 

Following the continued success of the Innovation Zone – the Security & Policing’s hub for research, development and innovation – the area returns with an exciting programme of speakers and activities. Featuring briefings, panels, roundtables, networking sessions and more, it will showcase the Government’s key vision for science and technology while spotlighting key developments in areas such as AI, cyber security, data management, and drone technologies.

One of the highlights of Security & Policing is the Immersive Experience. Building on the success of last year’s ‘Safer Streets’ experience, the 2026 edition will bring to life the UK’s border security mission in a dynamic, interactive way. Visitors will be able to step into a real-world scenario and see how multiple technologies and approaches come together to strengthen our borders and protect the public.

Celebrating innovation: ADS Security Innovation Award

Celebrating its 21st year, the renowned ADS Security Innovation Award also returns to Security & Policing 2026 to spotlight advancements across the UK’s security landscape. The award is specifically designed to recognise capabilities that have caused a step change in the effectiveness of the UK’s ability to prevent, respond to, reduce the impact of or investigate risks and incidents.

The free-of-charge competition serves as a platform for exhibitors to showcase breakthrough products and services. In 2025, NW Pro won the award for their product NexuSec which leverages advanced AI-driven computer vision and natural language processing (NLP) to provide an intuitive and highly effective search capability for live & recorded CCTV footage. 

Jon Gray, ADS Director for Security and Resilience highlighted: “Every year the entries to the ADS Security and Innovation award are of exceptional quality. It is a showcase for companies in the security and resilience sector to demonstrate their innovation, entrepreneurial spirit and remarkable technical capabilities.”

Visitor experiences

With no general admittance to Security & Policing, all visitors and exhibitors are subject to Home Office approval, ensuring you’re speaking to a relevant audience with the capacity for operational decisions. 

Tony Burnell, CEO Metis Aerospace and Chair of ADS Drone Platform and Counter-Drone Special Interest Group (DPAC) described this exclusivity as a vehicle for greater engagement with Government delivery partners:

“This event is unique because it is run by the Home Office, which means we get a high footfall of the Government agencies directly to us at the show which we can’t normally get access to, and we get to talk to them all one-to-one.”

Feedback from past attendees highlights the event’s value, with 97% of visitors recommending it to colleagues. Survey data from 2025 showed high satisfaction rates: 98% rated their experience as good or excellent, 95% praised the quality of exhibitors, and 93% valued the networking and speaker sessions.

Exclusive networking and educational opportunities

Security & Policing also offers a comprehensive educational and networking platform for both visitors and exhibitors. Participants can engage in keynotes and panels led by senior UK Government officials and experts from academia and industry, offering insights into the latest security policies and initiatives. There are also opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD) through partnerships with training providers, helping attendees stay up to date with industry standards and skills.

In 2025, the speaker programme tackled some of the most pressing challenges of our time, from the threat of deepfakes and breakthroughs in DNA technology to strengthening border security and counter-terrorism policing. Looking ahead to 2026, Security & Policing will continue to spotlight the issues that demand a united response across Government and industry, reaffirming its role as the sector’s essential meeting point for ideas, solutions, and collaboration.

Live demonstrations of security solutions

Security & Policing delivers live demonstrations of mission-tested technologies, showcasing their practical applications in realistic settings to support public safety. Demonstrations will cover areas such as Counter-Explosive Ordnance (C-EO), Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) protection, as well as drone and counter-drone systems. They are delivered through collaboration between UK industry, UK Defence and Security Exports, and Ministry of Defence service personnel.

Conclusion

Security & Policing remains the UK’s leading security event, designed for professionals seeking to stay at the forefront of security and resilience innovation. With extensive networking, a diverse range of exhibitors, and high-level insights, it is the event of choice for those in security sectors. Registration for Security & Policing 2026 is now open, with attendance subject to Home Office approval, ensuring a secure and relevant gathering of global security leaders.

For more details on participation and exhibitor and visitor criteria, visit the official Security & Policing website.