Day: June 27, 2017

To Manage Private Security Agencies The Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI, has recently developed a platform to manage licensing, training and compliance verticals of the Private Security Agencies Regulation Act (PSARA). The Act was enacted in 2007 to regulate the functioning of the private security agencies. Passed as Federal Legislation, it was sent to all State Governments to follow the model rules, and develop a mechanism to constitute state controlling authorities to commence licensing processes on the guidelines enumerated in the PSARA by the Central Government. Most of the State Governments delegated controlling powers to their state police departments and appointed their IGPs as State Controlling Authorities. The private security industry has been facing some functional difficulties due to non-clarity on various aspects of the legislation. Central Association of Private Security Industry (CAPSI), an apex association of the PSI has been representing to MHA to streamline the regulation processes so that the private security agencies could render services to their clients more efficiently, and also comply with the PSARA provisions. The Joint Secretary (Police Modernization), Department of MHA was made nodal officer to coordinate with the state controlling authorities for effective implementation of the legislation. Training of the security guards, police verification, and functional compliance were a few areas which could not be managed due to the lack of coordination among various state controlling authorities. T.V.N.S. Prasad, Joint Secretary (PM) convened a meeting of all state controlling Authorities (SCAs) of PSARA at Jaisalmer House on May 26, 2017, in which a portal was shown to the participants. Through this portal, each SCA will be able to monitor the compliance of the provisions of the PSARA by licensed private security agencies. Application for the PSARA license is provisioned to be received online through this portal and processed by the SCAs. Police verification of the directors/ partners will be conducted by concerned police station though their computerized networks. Details of all security guards and supervisors, their police verification, training, and wages shall also be managed through this portal. The renewal of licenses which is a major gray area shall also be addressed by sending prior notices to the PSI so that timely action can be taken. The portal is developed by the Chandigarh Police and was highly appreciated by all participants during the meeting. It was also decided that security training centers which are duly approved by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) will be the authorized training providers. This decision ends the long-standing ambiguity about training providers which was causing a major problem to the PSAs. The working group which was constituted to make recommendations for the functioning of the security companies engaged in the Cash-in-Transit business also presented its report at the forum. The report was approved under which specifications for the fabrication of cash carrying vehicles have been defined to endure total security of the cash and valuables. It was also clarified that only companies having a valid license under PSARA will be permitted to carry out the business of CIT. The MHA has also decided to launch a public awareness campaign to highlight the PSARA to seek public support to create a safe and secure environment in the country. Mamta Singh IPS, IGP Haryana presented her report on the implementation of PSARA. The report was accepted by the committee. Kunwar Vikram Singh, Chairman of the Central Association of Private Security Industry (CAPSI) along with Anil Puri, Vice President, and Mahesh Sharma, Secretary-General also participated in the discussions. Maj. Gen. K Majumdar, COO of the Security Sector Skill Development Council, raised the issue of certified security guards being trained by NSDC approved training partners. Rituraj Sinha, Vice President, Security Committee of FICCI, along with Manjari Jaruhar, former DG, CISF assured support to the initiative taken by the MHA.

UBM India is all set to bring in the third edition of ‘Security and Fire Expo (SAFE) – South India’. Slated for 29 June to 1 July 2017 at the Chennai Trade Centre, the expo aims to bring together over 70 renowned Indian and international brands from surveillance, entrance and home automation industry. Consultants, business experts, and key government officials from the industry are to congregate, interact, network, view the latest innovations, source business solutions and gather invaluable expert support, all under one roof. The Electronic Security Association of India (ESAI) and Asian Professional Security Association (APSA) support the expo. Revenue spends on security is predicted to continuously grow in 2017 and is projected to reach $1.24 billion. As such, the dire need for upgraded security solutions has prompted spends on security services, which includes consulting, implementation, support and managed security services, to be higher than ever before. The security services revenue accounted for 61 percent of total revenue spends in the last couple of years, and this proportion will increase to 66 percent by 2020. With a special focus on the key South India market, SAFE 2017 will provide an opportunity for visitors to learn about the latest technology and industry trends and discover the best solutions to keep their business and clients secured. SAFE displays products like CCTV & video surveillance, biometrics & RFID, integrated systems, access control, cyber security, physical security, perimeter protection, fire detection systems, intruder alarms and fire alarms and so on. Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, UBM India said, “Today, governments all over the globe are unanimous on the need to provide a safe environment to their citizens. This has opened up a huge market, setting the stage for fierce competition amongst the leading players in the security industry. Several organizations globally and in India, are now realizing the vital need to refurbish their security strategy and discuss cutting-edge technologies to monitor as well as surmount accidents. Similarly, the demand for video surveillance in India has grown not only in corporate houses but also risen sharply among the RWAs and security agencies. Security systems like access control, biometrics, alarm systems, transport security, home automation, perimeter security and metal detectors are constantly being upgraded. They and have immense potential to secure lives.” He added, “With South India being such an important business hub for commercial and homeland security in India, UBM India with SAFE-South India 2017 intends to offer market-entry and business opportunities to the growing market in this region while strengthening the supply chain cycle of the industry.” The expo will also be a launch pad for leading security companies to introduce their products and establish relationships with key decision-makers. The congregation will see professionals from across the industry including security and safety managers from hospitality, IT/ BPO & service industry, real estate, port authorities, power plants, logistics, construction, architecture, automobile, manufacturing, industrial, retail, jewellery, health, education, it, networking, telecoms, automation, BFSI etc. In its third year, SAFE India has grown in size and depth and attracts industry leaders and key exhibitors including our Premier Plus Partners eSSL, Hikvision, Mark Electronics, GPS, UNICAM Systems and TVT; our Premier Partners In4 Solutions, Road Point India, Starex, Orbit and ZKT Eco. Other key participants at the expo include Vamosys, Hash Control, Swipe Technologies, Spectra, Main Hardware, Vitaran, Matrix Comsec, Mantra, ERD, TS Infosystems, Commnet, Swaraj Secutech, Pictor, Copper Connections, WYSE, Green Field, Supreme Computers, Micro & Super Micro.