Explosive-detecting dogs at Securex

February 2019 News & Events

Vapor Wake K9 SA will be showcasing the Vapor Wake method of training working dogs in the detection of explosives and other illicit substances – the first organisation outside the US to offer this advanced type of canine technology – as the official sponsor of the Vapor Wake K9 SA demo area at the upcoming Securex South Africa 2019 expo.

Securex takes place from 14 to 16 May this year at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg.

Robbie Roberts, operational director of Vapor Wake K9 SA, explains that the Vapor Wake approach is unlike any other canine training available locally. “Traditionally, explosive-detection dogs (EDDs) are trained to view static objects or people. With Vapor Wake trained K9s, the major difference is that they are able to detect body-worn explosives on a moving target. This effectively allows them to accurately screen hundreds of people passing through a high-flow entry point – such as in an airport or a stadium – in a way that is non-intrusive.”

Patented by Auburn University in Alabama (US) as the only patented technology to detect body-worn explosives in transit, Vapor Wake is the product of many years of research, breeding and testing at the university’s Canine Performance Sciences (CPS) programme, the largest K9 detection research programme in the United States.

According to the VWK9 K9 Training Academy, one of the fastest growing canine companies in the industry today and partner of Auburn University’s Auburn’s CPS programme, “scent particles are carried behind a person in a ‘thermal plume’ produced by the body’s natural heat. A person’s natural thermal plume goes upwards when they are standing still, but as soon as they begin moving, the thermal plume extends behind them, much like the wake behind a boat in the water (thus the name, ‘Vapor Wake’).

“Vapor Wake K9 Detection Teams will work through a crowd by sampling the cross-section of people moving within. As soon as a Vapor Wake dog detects an explosive odour, it will follow the source: a person, a bag left behind, something carried inside and then hidden – a Vapor Wake dog will always follow the threat to its source.”

The Vapor Wake K9 SA mobile explosive detection team works locally with the likes of the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), in order to provide these specialised K9 security capabilities in areas such as airport terminals and stadiums. In addition, the company provides canine screening of cargo. Cargo Screening K9 Alliance K9s are tested every 12 months in South Africa by Tim Baird (assessor) and Ashley Beard (trainer) from Vapor Wake America.

“Vapor Wake K9 SA will use Securex this year as a platform to communicate our status as the only local company on the African continent, and indeed outside the US, to provide this type of service,” says Roberts. “Our offering shows that Africa is at the forefront of this type of security technology advancement, and we want to show the market exactly what we can do.”

Other highlights of Securex 2019 will include a Cybersecurity Pavilion, sponsored by 4Sight Holdings, the Cyberlab seminar theatre, more than 190 security-focused exhibitors showcasing a full range of security-related products and services, as well as a security-focused free-to-attend seminar theatre with more than 20 highly relevant sessions.

For more information on the expo, please contact Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery on +27 11 835 1565.





Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Highest increase in global cyberattacks in two years
Information Security News & Events
Check Point Global Research released new data on Q2 2024 cyber-attack trends, noting a 30% global increase in Q2 2024, with Africa experiencing the highest average weekly per organisation.

Read more...
The power of PKI and private sector innovation
Access Control & Identity Management News & Events Government and Parastatal (Industry)
At the recent ID4Africa 2025 Summit in Addis Ababa, the spotlight was firmly on building secure, inclusive, and scalable digital identity ecosystems for the African continent.

Read more...
Bosch Security renamed Keenfinity
News & Events
Globally renowned brands for video systems, access control and intrusion alarm systems, as well as communication systems, unite under the roof of the new company Keenfinity Group.

Read more...
2025 video surveillance market set for improved fortunes
News & Events Surveillance
Novaira Insights has unveiled its latest report, World Market for Video Surveillance Hardware and Software – 2025 Edition, forecasting a healthy growth rate of 8,1% until 2029, excluding China.

Read more...
Wialon announces integration with fleet maintenance and optimisation platform
News & Events Transport (Industry) Logistics (Industry)
Fleet management software platform integrates with a fleet maintenance and optimisation platform to support mutual customers for better workflows and deeper insights into fleet operations.

Read more...
DeepSneak deception
Information Security News & Events
Kaspersky Global Research & Analysis researchers have discovered a new malicious campaign which is distributing a Trojan through a fake DeepSeek-R1 Large Language Model (LLM) app for PCs.

Read more...
Almost 50% of companies choose to pay the ransom
News & Events Information Security
This year’s Sophos State of Ransomware 2025 report found that nearly 50% of companies paid the ransom to get their data back, the second-highest rate of ransom payment for ransom demands in six years.

Read more...
Value and industry insight
Securex South Africa Training & Education News & Events
Securex South Africa 2025, co-located with A-OSH EXPO, Facilities Management Expo, and Firexpo, drew thousands of security professionals from across the continent and beyond, offering a platform for networking, product discovery, and knowledge sharing.

Read more...
Gallagher Security achieves ISO 27001 recertification
News & Events Training & Education
Gallagher Security has successfully achieved certification to the updated ISO/IEC 27001:2022 standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). This accomplishment builds on previous certifications and reflects a continued commitment to the highest standards of information security.

Read more...
Survey highlights cost of cyberdamage to industrial companies
Kaspersky Information Security News & Events
The majority of industrial organisations estimate their financial losses caused by cyberattacks to be over $1 million, while almost one in four report losses exceeding $5 million, and for some, it surpasses $10 million.

Read more...










While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd. | All Rights Reserved.