Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly evolving from a simple tool to a sophisticated system capable of performing autonomous tasks, necessitating an increased focus on trust and security for both government bodies and businesses.
While AI can optimize operational efficiency by leveraging systems and data, it also presents significant risks, such as unauthorized access to sensitive information and potential misuse.
Ransomware and Security Frameworks
In South Korea, recent ransomware attacks and data breaches have targeted key sectors like telecommunications, finances, and e-commerce, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive management of cyber and physical security.
This has prompted the Korean government to unveil an extensive information security strategy. Key components of this plan include AI-driven hacking detection, critical system vulnerability assessments, and an expansion of the white-hacker initiative.
Global Security Trends
Internationally, AI-IoT hybrid attacks are on the rise. The United States has cautioned about the increasing threat to critical infrastructure, while nations in Europe and Japan are enhancing AI-based detection systems to counter sophisticated attacks on industrial control systems (ICS) and smart infrastructure.
Integrated security strategies that include AI threat detection, ICS security, and smart city protection are projected to fuel the global security market for the next three to five years.
SECON & eGISEC 2026: A Key Industry Event
Asia's singular integrated security exhibition, offering both physical and cybersecurity servicesIn this context, SECON & eGISEC 2026 is scheduled to take place from March 18-20 at KINTEX 1 in Korea. Marking its 25th anniversary, this event stands as Asia's singular integrated security exhibition, offering both physical and cybersecurity services. It provides a premier venue for industry professionals to explore cutting-edge market trends and connect with prominent companies and experts.
Participants can expect a comprehensive spectrum of integrated security solutions on display, ranging from video surveillance and AI security to smart city protection, industrial security, and network backup & recovery. This year will see participation from over 400 companies from 19 countries, with more than 30,000 visitors anticipated, including security, safety, and defense officials globally.
Conferences and Seminars
The exhibition will be complemented by numerous conferences offering over 100 sessions across more than 20 tracks. Notable among these is the Security World Conference 2026, focusing on empowering trust in the AI era.
It will feature sessions from industry experts and academic institutions such as Yonsei University and KAIST. Concurrent international programs like the ASIS International Conference and Asia Pacific Security Association Seoul Conference are also on the agenda, providing Korean-English interpretation.
Networking and Collaborative Efforts
SECON & eGISEC 2026 emphasizes cross-border collaboration with over 100 overseas buyers and delegates from 18 countries.
Numerous business discussions and networking events will occur, with planned agreements like the MOUs between the Security Association of Singapore and Korean institutions to foster international cooperation.
Sustainability and Startup Support
This year's exhibition also highlights sustainability and startup support initiatives. The K-ICT Startup Pavilion is set to boost visibility and networking for emerging tech ventures.
Furthermore, the event aims to minimize environmental impact by adopting digital platforms, reducing printed materials, and promoting the use of reusable resources.
As artificial intelligence (AI) evolves beyond a mere tool to perform autonomous tasks, ensuring trust and security has become a critical priority for both governments and enterprises.
AI agents can leverage systems and data to enhance operational efficiency, but they also pose tangible risks, including access to sensitive information and potential misuse.
Ransomware attacks
Recently in South Korea, ransomware attacks and data breaches have targeted major telecommunications companies, financial institutions, and e-commerce platforms, highlighting the growing need for integrated management of cyber and physical security.
In response, the Korean government has strengthened its security framework by announcing a comprehensive information security plan that includes AI-based hacking detection, identification of critical system vulnerabilities, and expansion of the white-hacker program.
AI-IoT hybrid attacks
Similar trends are being observed internationally. The United States has warned of an increase in AI-IoT hybrid attacks targeting critical infrastructure, while Europe and Japan are enhancing AI-based detection systems to counter sophisticated threats to industrial control systems (ICS) and smart infrastructure.
As a result, integrated security strategies encompassing AI threat detection, OT/ICS security, and smart city protection are expected to become the key driver of the global security market over the next 3–5 years.
SECON & eGISEC 2026
Against this backdrop, SECON & eGISEC 2026 will take place on 18-20 March at KINTEX 1, Korea. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the event is Asia’s only integrated security exhibition covering both physical and cybersecurity, providing a platform to experience the latest market trends and technologies while connecting with industry-leading companies and experts.
SECON & eGISEC 2026 will showcase a comprehensive range of integrated security solutions, including Video Surveillance, AI Security, Smart City Security, Industrial Security/OT Security, Access Control, Homeland Security, Social Security, Cyber Security, Fault Diagnosis and Monitoring, Network, and Backup & Recovery—all in a single venue.
Global security hub
This year, over 400 companies from 19 countries and regions will participate, showcasing their latest security products and solutions. During the exhibition, more than 30,000 visitors are expected to attend, including security, safety, and defense officials from around the world.
Visitors will include a wide range of decision-makers and professionals across the security sector, such as security and information protection officers, procurement managers, system operators, Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), Chief Privacy Officers (CPOs), Chief Information Officers (CIOs), as well as developers, programmers, and other industry professionals.
Conferences and seminars
Alongside the exhibition, concurrent conferences will cover the latest security technologies and insights across more than 20 tracks and 100 sessions over three days.
Key programmes for international attendees include the △ Security World Conference 2026: Empowering Trust in the Age of AI, followed by six sessions: "AI Security Threats and Countermeasures – Yonsei University," "The security balancing act in the 20-Year AI Wave - OMDIA APAC," "Do Antivirus Solutions Really Protect? An Experimental Evaluation – KAIST Cyber Security Research Center," "Securing the Future: Building Antifragile Supply Chains in a Volatile World – TAPA APAC," "Development of an open video security platform technology with on-device self-security by design – ETRI," and "Engineering Accountability: Security Leadership in the Age of AI – GH Solution." The conference will take place on 19 March 2026 at 11.00am in Conference Room 212, with Korean–English simultaneous interpretation provided.
International programmes also include ASIS International Conference on 18 March 2026 at 2.00pm in Conference Room 301, as well as Asia Pacific Security Association Seoul Conference and △ 2026 China–Korea Digital City Technology Application Conference on 19 March 2026 in Conference Room 303. Sessions will run from 10.00am–12.00pm and 2.00pm–5.00pm, respectively. All international programmes will provide Korean–English interpretation.
Seminars will also be held within the exhibition hall. At Booth D115, exhibitors will present Exhibitor Technical Seminar showcasing AI-driven intelligent security technologies, OT and smart infrastructure protection, next-generation authentication, and integrated security strategies. These sessions will demonstrate practical applications and provide opportunities for business discussions with visitors.
Additional programmes include e-Government Information Security Conference 2026, Quantum Security Forum, Integrated CCTV Control Conference 2026, 2026 Industrial Security Trend, CPO Workshop 2026, 2026 Information Security R&D Project Technology Transfer Conference, Personal Information Protection Expert Instructor Forum, KAPIE AI & Security Symposium, and 2026 International Conference on Counter-Terrorism, addressing key issues across both physical and cyber security.
Overseas business networking and support program
This year, more than 100 overseas buyers and delegates from over 18 countries and regions have been officially invited, along with representatives from more than 70 institutions and associations. Delegates from the Security Association of Singapore (SAS), Hong Kong Police Force, and Asia-Pacific Security Association (APSA) will engage in official meetings with relevant Korean institutions and business discussions with exhibitors.
In particular, SAS is expected to sign MOUs with Korean security institutions on site, further expanding collaboration opportunities through SECON & eGISEC 2026.
Sustainable & startup support initiatives
SECON & eGISEC 2026 supports innovative ICT and security startups through the K-ICT Startup Pavilion, providing enhanced visibility and business networking opportunities with industry stakeholders. In line with its sustainability commitment, the exhibition expanded paperless operations through digital platforms, reduced printed materials, utilised certified recycled paper where necessary, and minimised waste by limiting carpet usage and promoting reusable materials across the venue.
