Winners of the 2023 Intersec Awards announced


Iain Hoey
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The winners of the Intersec Awards 2023 were announced last night (19 January) in a gala dinner event at the Ritz Carlton, DIFC. Among the winners were Dubai Police, UAE based Atos and Protec Fire Detection from the UK, as well as individuals from Aman Security Training and NAFFCO.
The Awards, which recognise the people, products and companies for exceptional performance in the fire, safety and security industries across ten categories attracted almost 1300 entries.
The People categories reward those who challenge industry standards, are exceptionally skilled at inspiring transformation and bringing about substantial change, and who have achieved great success as industry experts in their particular field.
The award for Outstanding Commitment to the Industry went to Adil Abdel-Hadi of Aman Security Training, for proactively raised the professionalism of the security industry throughout the Middle East and Africa. One way in which he achieved this was by introducing City & Guilds accredited training courses for both the Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA) and the Dubai Police Academy, which have benefited over 200,000 vocational students.
Speaking at the ceremony, Abdel-Hadi described his win as “Overwhelming”, adding “I am very honoured to receive it. It’s been wonderful.” He also acknowledged his fellow nominees and the organisers, referencing their ‘commitment and support to the industry for the past 20 years.’
Other winners in the people category included Les Allan, Chairman of the Association of University Chief Security Officers who was named International Leader of the Year; while Khalid Al Khatib, CEO of NAFFCO was selected as Regional Leader of the Year and Essa Ahmed Al-Mutawa of Dubai Civil Defence has been hailed as a rising star, receiving the Young Emirati Achiever Award.
Commenting on his win, Al-Mutawa said: “I feel extremely honoured to receive the award, it will help me try to think positively and to give more to my work and company,” and paid tribute to Intersec 2023, adding, “And I would like to thank everyone who works for this great event.”
Security winners
Homeland Security product of the year went to D-Fend Solutions for its EnforceAir counter-drone technology, while OPTEX REDSCAN pro Lidar series from OPTEX Europe won Commercial and Perimeter Security product of the year. Secure Logiq was recognised for its efforts offsetting the carbon of the electronic security manufacturing sector with the trophy for Security Sustainability service of the year and the award for Cybersecurity service of the year went to Atos for the AI platform powered managed detection and response services – Alsaac.
Fire and safety winners
Fire and Safety Sustainability Product of the year recognised the Eco Land and Eco Sea products from Detectionloop; and Fire Product of the Year was presented to Protec Cirrus HYBRID Aspirating Fire and Smoke Detector from Protec Fire Detection. Data-analytics platform chnnl, designed to help organisations create meaningful well-being and psychological safety strategies won Safety Product of the year, while a special award for Excellence in Community Service and Wellbeing was presented to Dubai Police for its Lost and Found service that takes advantage of artificial intelligence and digital technologies.
Alex Nicholl, show director at Messe Frankfurt Middle East, commented: “Security, safety and fire protection play a vital role in the world, and the stars of the industries deserve to be celebrated.
“The calibre of entries for the Intersec Awards this year was incredible, demonstrating the commitment and innovation of people and companies to driving advancement across the board. It is an honour to reward and celebrate these achievements and I send my congratulations to all of our winners.”
The Winners
Fire & Safety Awards

Fire Product/Service of the Year
Protec Cirrus HYBRID Aspirating Fire and Smoke Detector – Protec Fire Detection

Exceptional Community Service & Well-being
Lost and found – Dubai Police

Fire & Safety Sustainability Product/Service of the Year
Eco Land And Eco Sea – Detectionloop

Safety Product/Service of the Year
chnnl – chnnl
Security Award Winners

Homeland Security Product/Service of the year
EnforceAir: D-Fend Solutions’ Counter-Drone Technology – D-Fend Solutions

Commercial & Perimeter Security Product/Service of the year
OPTEX REDSCAN Pro LiDAR series – OPTEX Europe LTD

Cybersecurity Product/Service of the Year
Managed Detection and Response services powered by AI platform – AIsaac – Atos

Security Sustainability Product/Service of the Year
Offsetting the carbon of the Electronic Security Manufacturing sector – Secure Logiq
People

Young Emirati achiever
Essa Ahmed Al-Mutawa – General Directorate of Civil Defense, Dubai

International leader
Les Allan – Heriot-Watt University

Regional leader
Khalid Al Khatib – NAFFCO

Outstanding commitment to the industry
Adil Abdel-Hadi – Aman Security Training