Senior officials from defence, intelligence, border security, and critical infrastructure sectors convened at Intersec 2026 to discuss GCC maritime security amid rising geopolitical, humanitarian, and technological pressures. The session, titled “Governing the Blue: Intelligence-Led Security for Gulf Maritime Boundaries,” was hosted by consulting firm Kearney in partnership with Intersec.

The roundtable revealed that maritime borders are at the intersection of sovereignty, economic continuity, and humanitarian responsibility. Participants reported a shift from reactive security models to intelligence-led operations that guide both collection and action.

Key points from the discussion included:

• Embedding multi-INT mission teams within command functions, supported by policy coordination units and 24/7 fused maritime watch centres.
• Aligning technology investment with operational KPIs and emerging trends, including space-oriented and open-source solutions.
• Treating humanitarian response and maritime migration as operational realities rather than procedural afterthoughts.

Ankit Gandhi, Partner at Kearney Middle East & Africa, reported that “intelligence only creates impact when it is institutionally embedded, operationally trusted, and digitally connected.” Delegates also emphasized the need for secure communications and a standard data fabric to enable lawful information sharing across stakeholders.

Dishan Isaac, Show Director of Intersec at Messe Frankfurt Middle East, announced that the roundtable exemplified Intersec’s role as a neutral platform for strategic dialogue. He revealed that the findings would form a comprehensive white paper to support policymakers and operators modernising maritime governance in the Gulf.

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