A comprehensive guide to the technologies reshaping event security in the UK from AI surveillance and biometric access control to crowd analytics, cyber security, and beyond.
How Technology is Transforming Event Security in the UK
Ten years ago, event security meant barriers, radios, and a team of guards at the gate. Today, it means AI cameras that analyse crowd behaviour in real time, biometric scanners that verify identity in milliseconds, drones providing live aerial surveillance, and integrated digital platforms that give a security operations team a complete picture of an entire venue from a single screen. The transformation has been rapid, and it is continuing at pace.
Why Technology Is Now Central to Event Security
Across the UK, event organisers running everything from music festivals and sports events to corporate conferences and political gatherings are adopting security technologies that would have seemed futuristic only a few years ago. The driver is not simply innovation for its own sake it is necessity. The scale of modern large events, combined with the growing sophistication of potential security threats, means that traditional security measures can no longer do the job alone. Technology has stepped in to fill the gap, and in many cases it has fundamentally changed what is possible.
This guide is the definitive resource for UK event organisers who want to understand the full technology landscape for event security. Each section covers a specific technology category from smart surveillance and access control to crowd analytics, body-worn cameras, communication platforms, and cyber security explaining how it works, what it can do, and how it fits into a comprehensive event security plan. The goal is not just to describe the tools, but to help you understand how to deploy them together as a coherent, integrated security strategy that genuinely enhances attendee safety and gives your security team the operational capability it needs.
Throughout the guide, we also address the critical relationship between technology and people. The most powerful security system in the world is only as effective as the team operating it. Experienced event security guards, working in close integration with the technology platforms described in this guide, remain the human backbone of any successful event security operation. Technology extends what they can see, hear, and know but it is their judgement, training, and presence that keeps an event safe when it matters most.
Building a Technology-Driven Event Security Plan
A modern event security plan is, at its core, a technology deployment plan. Deciding which tools to use, how to integrate them, where to position them across the venue, and how to connect them to your security team's operations is the central planning challenge for any event organiser serious about security. Getting these decisions right before the event takes place is far more effective than attempting to solve problems on the day.
Technology as the Foundation of Modern Event Security Planning
The starting point is understanding what technology is available and what each type of system is genuinely capable of delivering in a live event environment. From there, the full event planning process involves mapping your specific venue, audience, and risk profile against the capabilities of different systems and making informed choices about which technologies will deliver the greatest security benefit for your event type and scale.
Conducting a Technology-Focused Risk Assessment
A comprehensive risk assessment is the essential first step in building your event security technology plan. Rather than approaching this purely as a general safety exercise, event organisers should conduct their risk assessment with a specific focus on identifying where technology can detect, prevent, or mitigate security risks more effectively than human observation alone.
Key technology-relevant questions to address in your risk assessment include:
Digital ticketing and access control:
What are the realistic risks of ticket fraud, credential sharing, or unauthorised access at this event? In Britain alone, an estimated £6.7 million was lost to ticket fraud. For high-demand events, nearly 40% of ticketing traffic can consist of automated bots, making a technology-driven approach to ticket validation and access control essential from the moment tickets go on sale.
Surveillance coverage:
Can every area of the venue including hard-to-reach or high-risk zones be effectively monitored by the security team? Where are the gaps in human visibility that smart CCTV, drone surveillance, or body-worn cameras could fill?
Crowd density and flow:
At what points during the event are crowd management challenges most likely to arise, and how can real-time crowd analytics help the security team anticipate and respond to these situations before they escalate?
Communication and alerting:
How quickly can critical information reach every member of the security team simultaneously? Are there scenarios in which conventional radio communications would be insufficient, and where would mobile alerting platforms add value?
Cyber and digital infrastructure:
What digital systems does the event rely on ticketing platforms, access control, Wi-Fi, broadcasting, payment processing and what would happen to the event if any of these were compromised or taken offline by a cyber attack?
The output of this assessment should directly inform your technology selection and deployment plan, creating a clear link between identified security risks and the specific technological solutions you put in place to address them.
Selecting and Integrating Your Security Technology Stack
One of the most important principles in event security technology planning is integration. Individual security technologies deliver the greatest value when they work together as a unified system rather than as separate, disconnected tools. A smart CCTV platform that feeds alerts directly to a security team's mobile devices, which in turn connect to a central control room where operators can dispatch guards and communicate with emergency services this kind of integrated approach transforms the speed and effectiveness of your security response.
When selecting technology providers, event organisers should ask not only what a given system can do in isolation, but how it integrates with the other platforms in their security technology stack. Open APIs, real-time data sharing, and centralised dashboards are the hallmarks of a well-integrated event security technology infrastructure.
A technology-driven security plan is a living document. Your systems should be tested under realistic conditions before the event, reviewed against actual performance data afterwards, and continuously refined for future events.
Technology and the Security Guard-to-Attendee Ratio
One important practical consideration is how technology affects the human resource planning for event security. Well-deployed technology does not replace security guards but it does enable a given team of guards to operate with significantly greater effectiveness, covering more ground, responding more quickly, and making better-informed decisions. This can have meaningful implications for the guard-to-attendee ratios required for a given event.
The following table provides indicative starting ratios based on event type and risk level. These should always be treated as a baseline and adjusted upward based on your comprehensive risk assessment, the complexity of your venue, and the capabilities of the technology systems you have deployed.
| Event Type | Risk Level | Indicative Guard: Attendee Ratio |
| Small Business Meeting / Conference | 🟢 Low | 1:150 |
| Medium Conference / Trade Show | 🟠 Medium | 1:100 |
| Sports Event | 🟠 Medium | 1:75 |
| Music Festival / Open Air | 🔴 High | 1:50 |
| VIP / Political Event | 🔴 High | 1:50 |
| Large Crowd with Alcohol Served | 🔴 High | 1:50 |
| High-Value Asset Exhibition | 🔴 High | 1:25 |
Where alcohol is served, organisers should consider halving the guest count per guard for example using a 1:50 ratio instead of 1:100. This effectively doubles the security headcount required and reflects the increased risk that alcohol can bring to crowd dynamics.
Always prioritise placing event security guards at the highest-risk locations: main entrances and emergency exits, the stage or performance area, VIP and backstage access points, and any areas with high footfall or restricted access.
CCTV and Surveillance Technology
CCTV systems have been a fixture of event security for decades, but the technology has evolved dramatically. Modern smart surveillance systems go far beyond passive recording they actively analyse footage in real time using artificial intelligence, alerting the security team to unusual behaviour, crowd density hotspots, and potential security threats before they escalate.
AI-Powered Smart Surveillance
AI-powered CCTV systems are now capable of crowd behaviour analysis, anomaly detection, and automatic alerts when patterns deviate from the norm. A sudden surge of people towards an entry point, an individual moving against the flow of a crowd, or a package left unattended all of these can be flagged automatically, allowing security staff to respond within seconds rather than minutes.
For large events where the security team simply cannot have eyes on every corner of the venue at all times, AI surveillance represents a powerful force multiplier. It allows a relatively small team of operators in a central control room to monitor a very large event space with a level of thoroughness that would be impossible through human observation alone.
However, the technology must move beyond proof-of-concept deployments and be robustly integrated with enterprise security infrastructure to be truly effective at scale. Event organisers should carefully evaluate whether any AI surveillance solution they consider has been proven in comparable live event environments.
Facial Recognition Technology
Facial recognition represents one of the most powerful and most controversial tools available for venue security. Used selectively, facial recognition technology can identify individuals on watch lists from among thousands of attendees, giving event security guards advance warning of potential security threats at entry points before those individuals have even entered the venue.
However, its widespread use raises significant privacy concerns and, in the UK, faces considerable legal scrutiny. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has consistently emphasised that the deployment of facial recognition at public events must be proportionate, necessary, and conducted in accordance with data protection law. A balanced approach is to use facial recognition technology to screen a small percentage of individuals identified as high-risk, rather than scanning every attendee preserving the privacy of the overwhelming majority while maintaining a meaningful security capability.
Drone Surveillance
Drones have become an increasingly important tool in the event security toolkit, particularly for large outdoor events where traditional CCTV coverage is difficult to achieve comprehensively. Equipped with high-definition cameras and thermal imaging, drones can provide real-time aerial views of the entire venue, cover hard-to-reach areas, and relay information directly to the security team on the ground.
The ability to rapidly reposition a drone in response to an emerging situation directing it to a specific area of the crowd, tracking a person of interest, or assessing the scale of a developing incident gives security teams a unique operational advantage. Drone-assisted patrols also complement the work of security guards on the ground, providing a bird's-eye perspective that helps identify potential risks that might not be visible at ground level.
Body-Worn Cameras for Event Security
Body-worn cameras (BWCs) have become an important part of the equipment carried by event security guards at major events across the UK. Originally pioneered by police forces, BWCs offer multiple benefits in the event security context: they deter aggressive or antisocial behaviour, provide an objective record of incidents that can be used in post-event reviews or legal proceedings, and help protect security personnel against false allegations.
From a legal perspective, the deployment of body-worn cameras at events is governed by data protection law and, in particular, the UK GDPR. Organisers must ensure that the use of BWCs is proportionate to the identified security risks, that attendees are informed of their use through prominent signage, and that footage is stored securely and retained only for as long as necessary.
When integrated with a central control room and real-time communication systems, BWC footage can be streamed live to security supervisors, giving them an additional layer of situational awareness during incidents. This connectivity is transforming the role of the individual security guard from a lone operative to an integrated node in a wider security network.
Access Control Technology for Large Events
Effective access control is the first and most critical line of defence at any large event. The goal is straightforward: ensure that only authorised people enter the venue, and that once inside, individuals only access the areas they are permitted to enter. The technology available to achieve this has become increasingly sophisticated.
Digital Ticketing and QR Codes
Paper tickets have been largely replaced by digital alternatives at most large events, and for good reason. Digital ticketing platforms allow event organisers to verify the authenticity of every ticket in real time, flag duplicate or fraudulent entries immediately, and monitor the check-in process across multiple access points simultaneously. QR code scanning provides fast, accurate entry verification that reduces queuing times while maintaining robust access control.
The introduction of what some in the industry call 'Online Sales 2.0' represents a further evolution in the fight against ticket fraud. By integrating fan engagement platforms, loyalty programmes, and behaviour-based analysis into the ticketing process, organisers can distinguish genuine fans from automated scalper bots, ensuring that tickets reach the people they were intended for at face value. Secure mobile ticketing solutions allow for real-time ticket monitoring, verification of ownership, and instant revocation of access where fraud is suspected.
RFID Technology
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) wristbands and access cards offer a powerful solution for controlling access at multi-day or multi-zone events. Beyond simply verifying entry, RFID technology allows event organisers to track attendee movements in real time, monitor crowd density in specific areas of the venue, and enforce zone-based access restrictions without requiring physical barriers at every boundary.
RFID technology also enables a faster, smoother check-in process. Attendees simply pass their wristband near a reader rather than producing a ticket for scanning, reducing bottlenecks at entry points and improving the attendee experience from the moment of arrival.
Biometric Access Control
At the most secure end of the access control spectrum, biometric identification using fingerprints, facial recognition, or palm vein scanning offers the highest possible assurance that the person presenting themselves at an entry point is who they claim to be. This level of access control is most appropriate for high-risk events, VIP areas, or backstage zones where the consequences of an unauthorised entry could be severe.
The important caveat is that biometric data is classified as special category data under the UK GDPR, meaning its collection and processing is subject to strict legal requirements. Organisers must have a clear legal basis for collecting biometric data, must conduct a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA), and must ensure that attendees are fully informed and, where applicable, have given explicit consent.
Smart Badge Systems
For conferences, corporate events, and exhibitions, on-demand badge printing combined with QR codes or RFID provides a highly flexible access control solution. Badges can be deactivated instantly if lost, preventing unauthorised use. They can also be programmed to grant different levels of access to different zones, with automated alerts sent to the security team whenever an attendee attempts to enter an area they are not authorised for.
Communication Systems for Event Security Teams
Clear, reliable, and fast communication is the nervous system of any effective event security operation. When an incident occurs, the ability of the security team to communicate instantly across the venue and with external emergency services can be the difference between a rapidly contained situation and one that spirals out of control.
Communication with External Agencies
Good communication extends beyond the security team itself. Effective liaison with local authorities, emergency services, and local law enforcement is essential for managing potential security threats at major events. Pre-event working groups typically coordinated through the SAG process should establish clear communication protocols, designate liaison officers, and agree on escalation procedures well in advance of the event.
Radio Communications
Professional digital radio systems remain the backbone of security team communications at large events. Unlike mobile phones, which are vulnerable to network congestion (a common problem when tens of thousands of people are trying to use their handsets simultaneously), dedicated radio networks provide guaranteed connectivity across the entire venue, even in challenging RF environments.
Mobile Apps and Real-Time Alerting
Increasingly, event security teams are supplementing radio communications with dedicated mobile apps that provide real-time incident reporting, push notifications to all team members, and live situational awareness dashboards. These platforms allow the security team to log incidents, share location data, escalate alerts to supervisors, and communicate with the control room all from a single device.
Mobile event apps for attendees also play an important role in safety communication. Organisers can send real-time alerts to ticket holders redirecting people away from high-risk areas, communicating emergency procedures, or providing crowd management instructions with messages delivered directly to the attendees' phones. This capacity to communicate directly with large crowds in real time is one of the most powerful tools available for managing emergencies at large events.
Central Control Rooms
The most sophisticated event security operations are managed from a central control room that integrates data from all security systems CCTV, access control, crowd analytics, drone feeds, and body-worn cameras into a single operational picture. From this hub, security supervisors can monitor the entire venue in real time, coordinate the deployment of security guards, communicate with emergency services, and make rapid, informed decisions as situations develop.
The integration of AI-powered analytics into the control room function is an emerging capability that promises to further enhance the speed and accuracy of security decision-making. By processing data from multiple sources simultaneously and flagging anomalies automatically, AI can help a small team of control room operators manage a very large and complex event environment.
Crowd Management Technology
Crowd management is one of the most complex and consequential aspects of event security. The tragic events at Hillsborough, and more recently at the Astroworld festival in Houston, serve as powerful reminders that poor crowd management can be fatal. Modern crowd management technology gives event organisers and their security teams unprecedented capability to monitor, predict, and proactively respond to crowd behaviour.
Real-Time Crowd Analytics
Digital crowd management platforms can combine data from multiple sources CCTV cameras, RFID wristbands, mobile device signals, and entry/exit scan records to produce a real-time picture of crowd density and flow across every part of the venue. When a specific event space approaches maximum safe occupancy, the system can automatically alert the security team and trigger pre-planned crowd control responses, such as temporarily closing an entry point or redirecting attendees to an alternative area.
This kind of proactive crowd management not only enhances safety, but also improves the overall event experience. Attendees benefit from better crowd flow, shorter queues, and a more comfortable environment and event organisers can demonstrate to local authorities and regulators that they are actively monitoring and managing crowd dynamics throughout the event.
Evacuation Planning and Technology
Every large event must have a robust and tested evacuation plan. Technology can support this in several ways: digital signage that can be updated in real time to direct crowds towards available emergency exits, mobile app alerts that provide attendees with evacuation instructions, and staff tracking systems that confirm all areas have been cleared.
The evacuation plan should be specific to the venue and event type, take into account the needs of attendees with disabilities, and be rehearsed with security staff before the event. Digital tools can help simulate evacuation scenarios and model crowd behaviour, giving organisers a more accurate picture of how an evacuation would unfold and identifying potential bottlenecks at entry points and emergency exits.
AI and Predictive Analytics
Artificial intelligence is beginning to play a more significant role in proactive crowd management and threat detection. AI systems can analyse historical crowd behaviour data, real-time sensor inputs, and external factors such as weather conditions or known security threats to predict where and when issues are most likely to arise allowing the security team to take preemptive action before problems develop.
While AI is not yet widely deployed at the majority of UK events, its potential is significant and it is expected to become a mainstream tool for large event security management over the next three to five years. Organisations that invest in mobile-first, real-time-enabled ticketing and access control systems now will be best placed to leverage these emerging AI capabilities as they mature.
Cyber Security for Events
Modern major events are critically dependent on digital infrastructure. Ticketing systems, access control platforms, event apps, broadcast systems, financial payment infrastructure, and even the venue's own Wi-Fi network are all potential targets for cyber attack. A successful cyber incident at a major event could disrupt ticketing or access control, expose sensitive personal data, compromise financial systems, or generate significant reputational damage.
Identifying Your Digital Attack Surface
The first step in protecting your event from cyber attack is to identify all the digital systems and technologies on which it relies. This includes not only the systems you control directly but also those provided by third-party suppliers. For each system, you should assess the potential impact if it were to be compromised or become unavailable, and identify who is responsible for its security.
Key questions to ask include: Is there technology that must be available for the event to function such as turnstiles, ticket machines, or scoring systems? Are you processing sensitive personal or financial data, and what would happen if that data were lost or stolen? What are your contractual obligations to broadcasters, sponsors, or other partners in relation to digital systems?
Assessing Cyber Threats
All events, regardless of scale, face the risk of commodity cyber attacks that exploit basic vulnerabilities using widely available hacking tools. Larger, higher-profile events may also attract the attention of organised criminal groups or state-sponsored actors seeking to disrupt, discredit, or profit from the event. Most cyber attacks, even targeted ones, use well-known techniques such as phishing emails making basic cyber hygiene the most important line of defence.
Supplier security is a particular area of risk. Many events rely on third-party providers for their ticketing platform, access control systems, and online services. If any of these suppliers have poor cyber security practices, they represent a potential vulnerability in your overall security posture. Ask your suppliers about their security certifications (such as Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus, or ISO 27001) and discuss their security arrangements specifically for the event.
Data Protection and GDPR Compliance
Event organisers collect significant amounts of personal data about their attendees contact details, payment information, session attendance records, and in some cases biometric data. All of this data must be handled in accordance with UK GDPR requirements. Organisers must have a clear legal basis for collecting and processing each category of data, must implement appropriate technical and organisational security measures, and must have a plan in place for responding to a data breach.
The use of single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication (MFA), and end-to-end encryption for all systems handling personal data are essential baseline controls. Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) should be conducted for any processing that carries a high risk to individuals' privacy including the use of biometric systems or large-scale automated processing of attendee behaviour data.
Cyber Incident Response Planning
Despite even the best preventive measures, security incidents can and do occur. Every event organiser should have a documented cyber incident response plan that identifies who is responsible for managing a cyber security incident, how incidents will be detected and escalated, and what the communication protocols are for notifying affected individuals and, where required, the Information Commissioner's Office.
Testing and exercising your cyber incident response capability before the event is essential. Security incidents reveal planning gaps that are not apparent on paper. Even a tabletop exercise in which key staff work through a hypothetical scenario can identify critical weaknesses and ensure that everyone understands their role.
The Human Element: Security Guards and Training
Technology is a powerful enabler of event security, but it is not a replacement for skilled, experienced human professionals. The most effective event security operations combine the best of both deploying technology to extend the reach and capability of the security team, while relying on the judgement, adaptability, and interpersonal skills of trained event security guards for the situations that technology cannot resolve.
Only a trained, licensed security guard can exercise judgement, flexibility, and physical intervention when an incident occurs. No camera can comfort a lost child, calm an aggressive individual, or make the split-second decision to initiate an evacuation.
SIA Licensing Requirements
In the UK, event security guards who are working in a licensable capacity for example, performing door supervision or security guarding functions at a licensed venue must hold a valid licence from the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Event organisers have a legal responsibility to ensure that all contracted security personnel hold the appropriate SIA licence for the work they are undertaking. Deploying unlicensed security staff is a criminal offence.
Training and Competency
Beyond the baseline SIA licence, the security industry experience of the guards you deploy matters enormously. Look for security services providers whose staff have direct managerial responsibility for previous events of comparable scale, and whose training programmes cover not only standard operating procedures but also the use of the specific technologies deployed at your event.
Augmented reality and simulation-based training tools are now available that allow event security guards to rehearse their responses to complex, technology-driven security scenarios in a realistic virtual environment. These tools can significantly improve preparedness for the live event by giving staff hands-on experience with systems they will be using in the field.
Training should also cover communication protocols, the use of body-worn cameras, emergency procedures, crowd control techniques, and how to work effectively with the central control room and with external emergency services.
Integration with Technology
The integration of security guards with the event's technological infrastructure is the key to a genuinely future-ready security operation. Guards equipped with mobile apps receive real-time alerts from AI surveillance systems, allowing them to respond to emerging threats before they escalate. Drone operators can direct ground teams to specific locations with pinpoint accuracy. Control room staff can give guards a real-time operational picture that would be impossible to achieve through observation alone.
This human-technology integration requires careful planning and training. Guards need to be comfortable with the technology they are working with, understand its capabilities and limitations, and know how to escalate issues to supervisors when a situation falls outside what the technology can handle. The most successful event security operations treat guards and technology as complementary partners, not as alternatives to each other.
On-the-Day Security Operations
Briefing the Security Team
A thorough pre-event briefing is essential. All members of the security team including contracted security staff, event staff, and venue personnel should be briefed on the security plan, their individual roles and responsibilities, the communication protocols in use, and the emergency procedures they should follow in the event of a security incident.
The briefing should include a walk-through of the venue, identifying all entry points, emergency exits, first aid stations, control room locations, and any areas of particular risk. Staff should know who to contact for different types of emergency and should have the necessary tools radios, mobile devices, body-worn cameras checked and ready before the event opens.
Real-Time Monitoring and Response
Once the event is under way, the priority shifts to real-time monitoring and rapid response. The security team should be actively monitoring crowd density, access control alerts, and surveillance feeds throughout the event, with a clear escalation pathway for any anomalies that require investigation or intervention.
Mobile alert systems ensure that critical information reaches all relevant members of the security team simultaneously. If an incident occurs at one entry point, the entire team can be informed and response resources deployed within seconds. This speed of communication is one of the most significant advantages that modern event security technology delivers over traditional, radio-only approaches.
Managing Emergencies
Despite the best planning and the most sophisticated security measures, emergencies can and do occur at large events. Having clear, practised emergency procedures is essential. The evacuation plan should be understood by all staff and should be capable of being executed quickly and calmly under pressure.
Communication with emergency services during an incident is critical. Pre-established contacts with local police, fire and rescue, and emergency medical services ensure that external support can be mobilised quickly. The security team should also be prepared to manage attendees' safety communications keeping the audience calm and informed through the event app and public address system while the emergency is dealt with.
Post-Event Review: Turning Data Into Improvement
The conclusion of the event is not the end of the security process it is the beginning of the next cycle of improvement. A structured post-event review is one of the most valuable tools available to event organisers who want to continuously improve their security arrangements and ensure that every future event benefits from the lessons of the one before.
Analysing Security Data
The data collected by modern event security technology CCTV footage, access control logs, crowd analytics, incident reports, and body-worn camera recordings provides an extraordinarily rich resource for post-event analysis. Reviewing this data allows security teams to identify any security incidents that occurred, understand how they developed, and assess whether the response was timely and effective.
Even when an event has passed without significant incidents, data analysis can reveal near-misses, bottlenecks, and areas where the security plan did not perform as expected. This kind of proactive learning is the hallmark of a security team that is genuinely committed to continuous improvement.
Gathering Feedback
Post-event surveys provide valuable insights from those who experienced the event first-hand. Attendees can offer a unique perspective on security measures particularly where they felt safety concerns were not adequately addressed, or where the security operation created unnecessary friction or discomfort. Security staff de-briefs are equally important: those on the ground will have noticed things that control room operators and supervisors may have missed.
Gathering feedback from all stakeholders attendees, staff, security guards, the SAG, and external agencies creates a comprehensive picture of how the security operation performed and where improvements are needed. This information should be documented formally and used to update the security plan for future events.
Preparing for Future Events
The goal of the post-event review is ultimately to make the next event safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable for everyone involved. As emerging security challenges evolve and as new technologies become available a commitment to continuous improvement means that your event security operation will remain effective and relevant year after year.
Organisers who treat security as an integral part of the event experience, rather than an operational afterthought, build trust with their audiences, their performers, and their local authorities. In an era defined by evolving threats and increasingly sophisticated security technology, that trust is one of the most valuable things an event organiser can possess.
Choosing the Right Event Security Technology Partners
Selecting the right technology providers is as important as selecting the right event security services provider. Not all solutions marketed for event security are equally suited to the demands of live events, and organisers should evaluate prospective technology partners rigorously before committing to any system.
Key questions to ask potential technology suppliers include:
- Has the system been deployed successfully at events of comparable scale and complexity?
- Does it integrate with the other technology platforms you are using?
- What support is available during the event if something goes wrong?
- How does the system handle data protection obligations, and what certifications does the supplier hold?
For cyber security, look for suppliers with recognised certifications such as Cyber Essentials Plus or ISO 27001. For CCTV and surveillance, ensure that any AI capabilities have been independently validated and that the system is compliant with the ICO's guidance on the use of surveillance technology at public events. For access control and biometric systems, verify that the supplier has a clear and GDPR-compliant approach to the handling of personal and biometric data.
Building long-term relationships with trusted technology partners who understand the specific demands of event security and who are investing in the development of their products to address emerging security challenges is one of the best investments any event organiser can make in the safety of their events.