Faster threat response take centre stage at Bulgarian Security Summit 2026

How technological advances can translate into more effective protection for people, property and infrastructure will be the central question at the inaugural Bulgarian Security Summit, taking place on 28 – 29 October 2026 at the Inter Expo Center in Sofia. Through expert presentations, panel discussions and an exhibition, participants will explore how security systems can support earlier risk detection and timely responses.

The Summit is jointly organised by the trade magazine a&s Adria and NAFTSO, Bulgaria’s National Association of Industrial Security Companies. a&s Adria belongs to the global a&s security media group, part of the portfolio of Messe Frankfurt, Europe’s largest organiser of business events. The event is supported by Intersec.

Тhe value of a security system becomes clearest when a threat needs to be identified and a decision made. That is why, in Sofia, we want to discuss how information from different systems can be turned into a timely response, and where human experience remains irreplaceable despite technological advances. We want participants to leave the Summit with a clearer understanding of the solutions that meet their needs and connections with the people who can help put them into practice,” said Mahir Hodžić, Chairman of the Organising Committee.

Mahir Hodžić

The exhibition will be a major part of the programme, covering video surveillance, access control, intruder and fire alarms, cybersecurity, and solutions for smart buildings and cities. Through product demonstrations and discussions with company representatives, visitors will be able to explore the capabilities of individual systems, compare available solutions and consider how to apply them to their own projects. For manufacturers and distributors, the exhibition will offer an opportunity to present their products and services to professional buyers and partners in Bulgaria and the wider region.

The conference programme will open with Andrew Burnett, Chief Technology Officer at Milestone Systems, delivering a presentation entitled “Making the Right Choices in the AI Era”. He will discuss the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence, the evolution of video surveillance towards predictive capabilities, and the role of human judgement in security decisions. Theodor Makedonsky, Director of Alarm automatika in Bulgaria, will also explore how artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, cloud platforms and wireless technologies can be used in integrated security solutions.

Andrew Burnett

Smart city security will be one of the key topics on the first day. The panel “The Brain of the City” will explore how IoT, artificial intelligence and video analytics can be brought together to create safer public spaces while safeguarding privacy and data. The programme will also address supply chain security, with a focus on protecting cargo in transit through Southeastern Europe.

The second day will focus on fire safety and the resilience of critical infrastructure. During the “Beyond Fire Alarms” panel, experts will discuss the integration of fire detection, evacuation and emergency communications. A separate discussion will address the protection of facilities, systems and services whose uninterrupted operation is essential to society and the economy.

Through these topics, the Summit will bring together physical security and cybersecurity, highlighting how digital risks can have direct consequences in the physical world. B2B meetings will add further value to the exhibition, with participants able to arrange meetings in advance through the official networking platform. This will allow visitors and exhibitors to plan direct discussions about procurement, distribution, systems integration and future business partnerships.

Further information about the event, participation opportunities and registration is available on the official website: www.bulgariansecuritysummit.com.