SECURITY

Today, homeland security has become a major issue worldwide due to recent threats from various terrorist attacks, radical factions, and lone wolves and the increasing amount of cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure in the region. This is leading towards increased promotion and awareness of international security and preparedness.

Homeland security, protection against any kind of natural or man-made disaster, for land, air, sea, critical infrastructure protection, cyber security and transportation security is expected to reach a CAGR of 15+ % during the forecasted period 2018-2022. The region has witnessed enhanced IT modernization leading to an improved coordination among the internal security departments which has gained wide acceptance in all the countries. Security has become a major area of attention and robotics, nanotechnology and biotechnology are expected to significantly impact the security markets in the next years.

The security market is expected to grow due to the investments in multiple projects and recent developments such as the Dubai Expo 2020 in the United Arab Emirates and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The advanced technologies, economic growth and investment in infrastructure development in the region are driving the market. The investments in infrastructure development include residential and commercial construction, transportation infrastructure, and public utilities.

UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are the fastest growing markets in the region followed by Iraq and Egypt which are expected to catch-up by 2020. The smart city projects lined up in countries such as Turkey, UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia will increase the market for CIP and cybersecurity. The Homeland Security market in the Middle East is expected to be dominated by Cyber security market with a market share of 54.12% by 2022.

Lack of adequate and poor technology infrastructure in many countries inhibits installation of homeland security products in those countries. Additionally, stringent pre-requisites set by the government in the security products market make consumers prefer American and European brands for their quality and expertise, which has made entry of smaller local companies difficult in the ME market.

As Middle East is a host of different nations with diverse needs and spending capabilities, it is imperative for companies to present customized solutions to ensure greater market reach. As price sensitivity is a key factor, manufacturers are offering customized and integrated solution to match demand without under-pricing it. Creating a perfect balance by meeting regulatory standards and ensuring quality of the security solutions will be the key to success. Smart Surveillance is a key trend in this market currently and Government initiatives provide added boost to this opportunity. As some of the countries are set to host several international events in coming years, security and local regulations will necessitate use of powerful surveillance tools that comply with set guidelines. Last, the use of connected devices will help in real-time analysis of the situation and help consumers take informed decisions.