Security knows no borders: responding to threats starts with cooperation

Turning new technologies into more effective protection for people, property and infrastructure was the central focus of the inaugural Bulgarian Security Summit, held on 28 – 29 October 2026 at the Inter Expo Center in Sofia. Organised by a&s Adria magazine and the Bulgarian industry association NAFTSO, the event brought together manufacturers, distributors, systems integrators, experts and end users of security solutions. Through conference discussions, exhibitor presentations and business meetings, participants exchanged insights and explored opportunities for cooperation in Bulgaria and across the region.

With the inaugural Bulgarian Security Summit, we achieved our primary goal: connecting the people who develop security technologies with those who use them every day. Through expert discussions, solution showcases and face-to-face business meetings, we laid the groundwork for continued cooperation and knowledge sharing. The discussions highlighted a shared challenge across the industry: aligning technological capabilities with users’ real needs, with clear accountability for how those technologies are deployed,” said Adis Hodžić, a member of the Organising Committee.

The Summit’s programme covered artificial intelligence, video surveillance, access control, cybersecurity, fire protection, and the security of smart cities and critical infrastructure. The connections between these areas reflect a changing security landscape: protecting physical spaces increasingly depends on reliable digital systems, early threat detection and a coordinated response. Alongside technological advances, professional expertise and cooperation between companies, institutions and end users play a vital role. The Summit provided a forum to explore these challenges through practical examples and real-world applications of security solutions.

Users’ needs are becoming more complex, and security companies are expected to keep pace with technological developments, invest in their people and deliver reliable protection – all at the same time. At the Summit, we placed these demands at the heart of our discussions with colleagues and partners. Conversations about technologies, standards and everyday challenges help us better understand users’ needs and improve the quality of our services,” NAFTSO representatives said.

The Bulgarian Security Summit attracted nearly 2,000 participants, with vendors showcasing their security products, technologies and services across 100 stands. It marked Bulgaria’s largest security industry gathering in the past decade, since the country’s SECURITY EXPO trade fair ceased operating.

More information about the event is available at www.bulgariansecuritysummit.com.

The next trade fair dedicated to the Eastern European security market will take place in Romania next year, while the Bulgarian Security Summit will return in two years.