Security has undergone a qualitative transformation over the past decades. Once viewed as a traditional profession limited to guarding and surveillance, it has now become an integrated industry managed according to precise strategies, advanced technologies and approved international standards. This transformation reflects the importance of security not only in protecting lives and property, but also in promoting economic stability and sustainable development.
Reports indicate that the size of the global security industry exceeded US$400 billion in 2023, with expectations of reaching more than US$500 billion by 2029, with an annual growth rate exceeding 7 percent. This includes industrial security, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence solutions and the Internet of Things, making security an influential and investment-attracting economic sector.
Security has gained a prominent presence in international conferences and exhibitions that contribute to the exchange of expertise and future outlooks. Most notable among these are:
• Intersec in Dubai and Riyadh, the largest exhibition specialising in security and safety in the Middle East.
• RSA Conference and Black Hat in the United States, as key cybersecurity events.
• DEF CON in Las Vegas, the largest gathering of information security experts and researchers.
In this context, the International Society for Industrial Security (ASIS International) has played a pivotal role in raising awareness among security professionals through its ongoing specialised training programmes and workshops, in addition to its publications and knowledge resources, which are a global reference for professionals.
The association has also offered a range of internationally accredited professional certifications, such as CPP, PSP, and PCI, which have become standards of competence and excellence in the security field and have contributed to preparing a generation of experts capable of keeping pace with developments and confronting modern security challenges.
The role of artificial intelligence in security and risk management has also emerged, through data analysis and threat prediction systems, enhancing the integration of technology and human decision-making to ensure greater effectiveness and efficiency in managing security systems.
The work of the International Society for Industrial Security aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 in developing human capabilities through training and knowledge transfer, in addition to providing platforms for communication between experts and practitioners, contributing to the building of a professional security community that keeps pace with global changes.
Security is no longer just a field practice; it has become a science based on training and professional certifications, including advanced technical certifications in cybersecurity such as CISSP. These certifications have contributed to raising the level of competencies and transforming security into a professional sector based on international standards.
Security today is not a limited function, but rather a growing industry that combines technology and management, directly impacting the stability of businesses and the economy of countries. Hence the importance of investing in this industry, supporting national competencies to be an effective part of the global security process, and strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a leading regional center in this field.
This feature originally appeared in Security Middle East’s first Arabic edition.
