By Elizabeth Johnson

Amongst packed aisles of security professionals testing new products and learning about trends at 2015 ISC East, Reed Exhibitions shared news that it’s launching a new event, Connected Security Expo, to collocate with ISC West next spring.

ISC East kicked off Nov. 18 in New York City. The sold –out, 33,000 net square foot Exhibit Hall was bustling with business being done. Thousands of buyers (total attendance rose 8.2 percent, compared with last year) roamed the showfloor reviewing the latest in surveillance, access control and security technology.

Buyers also attended the 18 educational sessions offered by Security Industry Association directly on the show floor. Topics included cybersecurity and video surveillance, emergency communications, wearable cameras for law enforcement, monitoring social media and more.

“This is the only place you can get this type of security education for free,” said Sherida Sessa, industry vice president at Reed Exhibitions. “And you don’t have to leave the show floor.”

Along with the hum of conversations around new technology, the hall buzzed with the news of a new industry event.

The launch of Connected Security Expo has been driven by the convergence of physical security assets with digital security assets. As these parts have come together, security professionals’ responsibilities have become broader and this market trend demanded a new type of security event.

“There has been a shift in who owns responsibility across physical security,” said Christian Merhy, executive security industry advisor at Reed, who is in charge of content for Connected Security Expo. “We’ve seen an increase in Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Director of IT Security attendance at both ISC East and ISC West.”

Connected Security Expo will present a holistic view of security - taking on physical security from an IT security lens, addressing the evolving role of CISO’s and CSOs and closing the security gap around the Internet of Things. Its primary focus will be education, using hands-on approaches and demonstrations from exhibitors. It will address this complex, rapidly moving subject with a unique and timely perspective.

By collocating with 2016 ISC West in Las Vegas, the global gathering of security professionals from all disciplines will have the opportunity to collaborate on today’s market needs. Each event will maintain its own identity with separate educational content and trade shows, but attendee badges will be good for both shows.

“Launching Connected Security Expo is a natural progression driven by our attendees and exhibitors who face these issues,” added Ed Several, senior vice president and general manager at Reed Exhibitions. “This market is only going to get more complex.”

It is clear from the activity at 2015 ISC East, the security industry—both physical and digital—is vibrant. Based on the strong attendance, on-site space renewals for next year increased 26 percent versus 2014 and 65 percent of the total 2016 ISC East Exhibit Hall floor was sold by the end of the 2015 ISC East.