Changing World Of ISC-West

Apr 1, 2007 12:00 PM, Larry Anderson, Editor

Anyone who emerged from a cave after 10 years to attend this year's ISC-West show in Las Vegas wouldn't have recognized the event. After the theoretical (and no-doubt bleary-eyed) cave dweller got over the shock of the changes to the Las Vegas skyline (“Where did that big shiny gold building come from?”), he would be met with equally shocking changes to the show itself.

Exhibitors such as Cisco and IBM were unheard-of a decade ago, and yet now they are part of the mix right there with all the old stand-bys. But even the long-time exhibitors are showing a technology mix that has changed totally — and progressed monumentally — just in the years I have been attending the show. Several years ago, this was known more as a “dealer” show, but the evolving mix of technology, broad-based strategy of including new and emerging product categories, and shear number and quality of attendees have enabled the show to reach beyond its dealer roots. It has earned its regard as an industry show with appeal to all levels of attendees. It's for dealers still, yes, but it also attracts others — including high-end users — who are on the lookout for the latest technical innovations for security. And not just physical security, but security in the broadest sense of the word and reaching right into the corner offices of today's corporations and institutions.

The organizers say attendance this year was up 10 percent over last year — marking a fourth consecutive year of double-digit attendance growth. The show has also expanded its offerings with an Urban Security section, larger international section, and a much-needed enhancement of the education sessions.

I like to think that the success of the show is a good reflection of the robust health of the security industry. Everywhere you looked at the Sands Expo Center, you could see evidence of a vigorous — albeit changing — industry that has done great things and is on the cusp of doing even greater things. We are an industry in transition, but everywhere I looked at ISC-West, I saw opportunity.

It was a huge show. No surprise if it exhausted our theoretical, bleary-eyed cave dweller to the point of returning to his cave. But can you imagine what changes are in store when he emerges 10 years from now?

We welcome your feedback: E-mail landerson@securitysolutions.com

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