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Second Day of Banks and Saving Banks at security essen 2026
- Focus on the Protection of Deposit Locker Facilities and ATMs
- Experiences from Germany, Switzerland, and international developments in focus
- Free participation for trade fair visitors
Frankfurt/M. – 28. Aug. 2026. The European Security Systems Association (ESSA) invites attendees to the Second Day of Banks and Saving Banks at security essen 2026 on 24 September 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The event will take place in Hall 7 of Messe Essen and is being organized in cooperation with security essen, the leading international trade fair for security technology.
Change in leadership at ESSA: Myriam Bevillon takes over from Harald Lüling
"We need to prepare the security industry so that it can address future risks and challenges"
Frankfurt/M. – 26 March 2026. Change at the top of ESSA: Myriam Bevillon of Gunnebo Safe Storage AB is new chairperson of the European Security Systems Association (ESSA). She is taking over the reins from Harald Lüling, who has significantly shaped the leading international association of the physical security industry for 20 years. The CEO of Burg Wächter will remain a member of the ESSA Board. His successor, Myriam Bevillon, aims to continue the market‑ and needs‑oriented course while bringing in her own style. Here is a conversation with her about priorities, challenges, obstacles, goals, and visions.
ESSA General Assembly: Security Standards, Cyber Resilience and the Future of Cash
• Leading association in the physical security industry met in Frankfurt
• Experts from all over the world visit the Main metropolis
Frankfurt/M. – 19. Nov. 2025. Physical security is more important than ever – as demonstrated by the key topics at the annual general assembly of the European Security Systems Association (ESSA) in November. The two-day event in Frankfurt focused on new security standards, the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and battery fires. But it also addressed the role of cash in a digital world. Workshops on topics such as service on safes and ISO standards rounded off the programme. ESSA Managing Director Falko Adomat welcomed 135 security experts from around the world to the event.
Explosive topic: fire-resistant battery storage cabinets
• Products are only safe with genuine certification according to VDMA 24994.
• Manufacturers confuse with vague advertising messages
• European Certification Body is currently issuing their first genuine certificates
Frankfurt/M. – 8 April 2025. Batteries are used in industrial tools, in rental e-scooters, in bikes from bicycle dealers, delivery services, etc. Anyone who uses them needs a fire-resistant storage and charging cabinet – the new VDMA 24994 specifies reliable types. But be careful: misleading and vague designations such as ‘based on VDMA 24994’ or ‘tested according to VDMA 24994’ are in circulation. Neither of these guarantees that the cabinet is certified – sometimes it is only a manufacturer's test. The decisive factor is proof from a certification body such as European Certification Body GmbH. It is currently issuing the first certificates. Battery cabinets without a certificate can become a highly explosive issue for commercial users.
ESSA General Assembly: Meeting place for the world of safes
• More demand: range of applications is growing -
from batteries to blockchain
from batteries to blockchain
• More uniformity: European laws should be harmonised
• More sustainability: Green production is a long but successful journey
Frankfurt/M. – 12 Nov. 2024. Battery fires, the confusing array of European regulations, digital protection of valuables: at the ESSA's General Assembly, safe and security experts from around the world addressed a wide range of security topics. The association had organised workshops, keynote speeches and presentations for this purpose. Managing Director Falko Adomat welcomed around 140 participants to the meeting in the German city in November. He presented this year's ESSA International Leadership Award to Josef Reingen. The safe expert, who is world-renowned in the industry, has been supporting and promoting the ESSA for over 40 years since 1977, helping it to become a leading international association for the physical security industry.
‘Battery’ arsonist: New VDMA standard sheet characterises safe storage cabinets for lithium-ion batteries
• Demand is growing, sensitive batteries an be found in many electrical devices
• Lithium-ion batteries in smartphones, laptops, e-scooters, e-bikes, etc.
• No uniform standard to date - VDMA Specification 24994 defines exact test procedure for the first time
Frankfurt/M. – 16 September 2024. Battery arsonists: Fires caused by overheated ion-lithium batteries from e-bikes & co. are increasingly making the headlines. The simplest solution is to store and charge the battery in special storage cabinets. The new VDMA Specification 24994, in the truest sense of the word, characterises reliable models - until now, there was no standardised certification for this product area. ‘The VDMA Specification offers consumers guidance when making purchasing decisions,’ says Falko Adomat, Managing Director of the European Security Systems Association (ESSA). ‘Cabinets that have withstood the test requirements reduce the risk of fire enormously.’
50 years Security Essen
Frankfurt/M. – 19 June 2024. As leading trade fair, since 50 years the security essen is a regular meeting point for the world of civil security and, therefore, it constitutes a unique communication and presentation platform for the companies.
Be careful when buying a safe: Many certificates are a bluff
Reliable accreditation of the certification body gives consumers security
Frankfurt/M. – 25. April 2024. Anyone who buys a safe wants security. And that is exactly what is often lacking. The problem is that a number of certificates that buyers use as a guide are a bluff. "In principle, anyone can issue a certificate," says Falko Adomat, Managing Director of the European Security Systems Association (ESSA). "Only the accreditation of the issuing body proves that a neutral, competent organisation is behind it." It is therefore worth taking a closer look or asking: Reliable certification brands have a reference to their accreditation standard. If this information is missing: Hands off!
International safe experts meet in Frankfurt
- Around 140 participants from five continents at the ESSA General Assembly
- New area of use for safes: lithium-ion batteries
- Smart locks in safes: technologies, security design, pitfalls
- Sustainability: from responsible safe production to recycling
Frankfurt/M. - 27 Nov. 2023 Once a year, Frankfurt is the safest city in the world: when safe and security experts from five continents meet at the annual General Assembly of the International Security Association (ESSA). Falko Adomat, since April the new Managing Director of the leading international organisation for physical security, welcomed around 140 participants from Europe, North and South America, Asia and Oceania to the Frankfurt on 22 and 23 November. The focus was on trend topics: the current usage behaviour of safe owners, new areas of application, smart locks and sustainable safe production. The ESSA also presented its award for the fifth time.
ESSA members meet in Frankfurt at their General Assembly
The face-to-face event in 2022 was well attended.
After an online event in 2020 and an hybrid event with a maximum of 75 participants in 2021 this year over 120 participants attended the ESSA General Assembly.