The evolving security requirements for critical infrastructure are increasingly evident as modern technologies, such as drones, emerge as security challenges.
A recent incident involving a drone at Leipzig Airport underscores the urgency for dialogue among industry, authorities, and emergency services. This dialogue takes center stage at Security Essen 2026, held at Messe Essen from September 22 to 25, focusing on two main events: the European Drone Conference and the Emergency Services Forum. Unmanned aerial systems offer diverse applications, including inspecting infrastructure and assisting security and emergency services.
Protection of Critical Infrastructure
While drones offer valuable opportunities, they also pose new challenges for operators of sensitive facilities. The European Drone Conference, scheduled for September 23 and 24, will convene experts from the security industry, public authorities, academia, and politics to discuss recent developments, regulatory frameworks, and effective protection strategies.
This dialogue takes center stage at Security Essen 2026, held at Messe Essen from September 22 to 25
This conference is organized by the Drone Expert Committee of the German Security Industry Association (BDSW) in collaboration with Security Essen and the Confederation of European Security Services (CoESS). Around 20 expert presentations will explore drone technology issues, including regulatory matters, infrastructure protection, and counter-drone systems.
Managing New Risks
Cornelius Toussaint, Vice-President of the BDSW and Chair of the Drone Expert Committee, will address security and drone technology trends in Germany.
Additionally, Marcus Schermann of DB Sicherheit GmbH is set to discuss critical infrastructure protection with multicopter operations as a case study. The focus on drone management, particularly detection and countermeasures, will be presented by Ralf Holstein and André Danner from German Business Protection GmbH. The program will also include presentations on research and international perspectives from political figures and security industry experts.
Public Safety Authorities
The event will also highlight the importance of civilian and military collaboration
In partnership with Feuerwehr-Magazin and Rettungs-Magazin, the Emergency Services Forum 2026 will debut at Security Essen.
On September 22, this forum will unite public safety authorities, organizations, the security sector, and government bodies to address critical questions about how new threat scenarios and technologies are reshaping security and emergency response. Experts from the fire service, police, civil protection, and defense will explore the future role of drones and autonomous systems in operations.
Shared Situational Picture
Key discussions at the forum will include Germany's preparedness for CBRNE incidents and hybrid threats, and the role of control centers, communication technologies, and networked systems in developing a shared situational awareness during emergencies. The event will also highlight the importance of civilian and military collaboration.
Both the European Drone Conference and the Emergency Services Forum will be held in Hall 5, with admission included in the Security Essen trade fair ticket. Tickets for the event are available online, priced at €49 for a day. Security Essen runs from 9 am to 6 pm, Tuesday through 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 dialog 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 program 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 organized 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 program 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 capitalize 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 organizations (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 defense 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.
