Day: December 13, 2019

The significance and relevance of the term and entity ‘Chowkidars,’ and their potential and contributions towards nation building were rightly highlighted by G Kishan Reddy – Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, GoI – at the recently held 14th Security Leadership Summit 2019 organized by the Central Association of Private Security Industry (CAPSI) and Association of Private Detectives and Investigators (APDI) during 15-16 November 2019 at PHD House, New Delhi. He credited the grand success of Bhartiya Janata Party in 2019 General Election of India to the campaign called by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi – ‘Main Bhi Chowkidar’– which hit the sentiment of being safe and secure across masses. Further, he correlated it to what potential and values the private security industry carries and what influences they can make in the growth and development of the nation. He asked the stakeholders to consider instituting the ‘Prime Minister Best Chowkidar’ Award covering various facets of private security industry that will be a befitting tribute to the honest and hardworking security personnel who are playing an important role in India’s growth and progress. Later Mr. Reddy said that after agriculture, private security industry is a major employment generator and the government is taking all steps to ensure the growth and progress of this sector. Santosh Gangwar – Minister of State (Independent) for Ministry of Labour and Employment, GoI, expressed that the Centre is planning to introduce ‘one nation, one pay day’ system to safeguard the interests of the private sector workers, particularly labour class. “There should be a pan-India single wage day every month across various sectors to ensure that workers get timely payment. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi is keen on this legislation to get passed soon. Similarly we are also looking at uniform minimum wages across sectors which will safeguard better livelihood of workers,” he said. He also indicated the intention of the government to implement occupational safety, health and working conditions (OSH) code, where code of wages makes an important part of it. The OSH Code will streamline the private sector by enhancing the coverage of workers manifold by merging 13 central labour laws relating to safety, health and working conditions into a single code. He said to have taken 44 complex labour laws to reform, and asked all the stakeholders to contribute to make these laws more effective and useful. On compliances, he said that they are preparing a ‘single page’ mechanism for various sectors to complete requisite compliances in order to ensure ease of doing business. An online system is being developed for grievance redressal which ensures that all problems are resolved within 48 hours without any physical interface. Gen. V K SINGH (Retd.) – Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, GoI, stressed upon the adoption of modern technologies by the private security agencies to expand scope of their operations. He suggested that the private security guards can help government agencies in carrying out their daily affairs like traffic management, pollution monitoring and crowd management with the aid of technologies like drones and CCTV solutions. While addressing the gathering at the Security Leadership Summit, the Transport Minister said, “Today, the government deficits in resources and manpower to meet the daily requirements of general public where the private security agencies can play a major role. However, they need to train their personnel in modern and upcoming technologies to gain trust of the government. The scope is immense towards traffic management, pollution monitoring, crowd management and cyber security etc. They have to reinvent themselves and prepare for the future challenges.” He also emphasized that there is a huge shortage of manpower in foreign markets like Europe and Gulf nations, and with innovations and skills enhancement at par with global standards, Indian private security agencies can tap this opportunity very easily. Industry needs to hire more technically qualified people to upscale skills and preparedness of personnel. Kunwar Vikram Singh, Chairman, CAPSI & APDI assured that the private security agencies are ready to help government in carrying out day to day work needed to make life easier and safer for the common man. The associations and the industry are aware of the growing need of the foreign markets which is of the size of about 1.5 crore private security personnel. They are exploring and working on the idea of tapping it. The Security Leadership Summit 2019 was inaugurated by Santosh Gangwar on 14 November 2019. In his welcome address the chairman thanked the Modi Government for timely amendments in the Private Security Agency Regulation (PSARA) Act and Rules that go in favour of industry, and helped the industry in streamlining its growth. “Under Prime Minister Modi, private security industry has seen implementation of various progressive policies and reforms in laws. Our sector is growing at almost 20%. Today the private security industry employs around 90 lakh personnel, making it one of the top employers. We hope to cross 2 crore workforce within next few years,” he added. The chairman also apprised the dais and gathering about the campaign of CAPSI, called – ‘Securing My Square Inch of Motherland,’ – which aims making every security stakeholder to have the attitude, diligence and alertness to all-round security of the piece of land he/ she is active right at the moment. This involves active police public and police RWA participations, and private security personnel can act as a bridge in between the police and public. The concept was hailed by the ministers, and all the participants in the event. G Kishan Reddy launched the audio-video of the campaign during the event. The conference saw various distinct sessions of discussions and debates by a number of eminent speakers and panelists on various topics such as PSARA Governance, moderated by Vivek Bharadwaj, Addional Secretary, MHA; Role of Youth in Civil Society, moderated by Ashok Prasad, Former Advisor, MHA; International Investigation; New Strategies and Innovation for Growth of Business in PSI; Star Rating for PSAs, Certified Insurance Investigators, Police Public Relations…

International Institute of Security and Safety Management (IISSM) held its 29th Annual Global Conclave at Hotel Conrad, Bengaluru, during 14-15 November 2019. The centre theme of the conclave – ‘New Paradigms for Loss Prevention in the Digital Era’ was selected in consonance with the reputation of Bengaluru as the IT capital of India and a major hub of IT business in the world. Bhaskar Rao, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru, the Chief Guest on the event inaugurated the conclave on a positive note amidst a congregation of various stakeholders of security industry comprising the security and safety professionals from different parts of the country as well as foreign nationals. This was an unique forum where the security and safety experts of the leading companies, banks, hotels and other industries, top level IT professionals, cyber security experts, professors from IIT Madras, IIM and Indian Institute of Sciences, Bengaluru, and the policy makers from various government departments were present with the sole aim to deal with the security and safety challenges in the digital era and how to mitigate the new age threats emanating from the cyber world. The 2-day conclave with a gathering of approximately 400 professionals deliberated on the contemporary issues of urgent concern to all stakeholders – private and government – pertaining to security, safety and the loss prevention.’ Loss prevention has always been a major challenge for all industries, more so in the modern highly connected world. Today, most of the business and government security hinges on information security and therefore the security at large would be at stake if the information security is not well in place and ensured. The new technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics etc., are today of extensive help to meet these challenges, and they can be made to use at a much bigger scale. The forum discussed and deliberated on these issues, challenges and opportunities in detail during the five panel discussions over two days. These panel discussions were preceded by a key note address by the experts and luminaries from the industry, government and academia. The key notes on the five panels were ‘AI and Blockchain Technology: Enablers for Business Security’, ‘Safety and Loss Prevention in IT dominated environment’, ‘Technology and Transformation: Challenges and Opportunities for Security Business Industry’, ‘Road and Traffic Safety: Enhancement through AI, Machine Learning and Block chain’, and ‘Threat to Critical National Infrastructure (CNI & CII) in the Digital era.’ Beyond the Chief guest, some of the best minds and security experts in the country who spoke during the conclave were Sanjay Sahay, IPS, ADG Police, Karnataka Police, Cyber Wing; Manish Shankar Sharma, IPS, ADG Police, MP and a renowned expert on International Security, Counter Terrorism and Diplomacy; Dr. Rohit Baluja, President, Institute of Road Traffic Education; Lt Gen Rajesh Pant (Retd), PVSM, AVSM, VSM – Chairman, National Cyber Security Council, India, and so on. New concepts & future technologies The conclave put its mind together to include in discussion, security in every field such as business places, road safety, data safety, and personal privacy and so on, and also how the existing and emerging technologies will help enhance them. The discussions were intense and focussed to mitigate the immediate and near future challenges with such technologies. Concepts like ‘human computing’, ‘data dumping’, ‘data archiving (in frozen conditions)’, data retrieval’ and ‘data destruction’ were elaborated upon and the delegates took keen interest in these futuristic technologies and innovations. It was heartening to see that there were ladies who performed as moderator, panellists and delegates, which is uncommon for the security industry in India. With this mix of top experts participating in discussions and deliberations, the level, content and deliberations were of very high order. RK Sinha, Hon’ble MP (Rajya Sabha) and Executive Chairman, IISSM, who has been at the helm of affairs of IISSM since last three decades, commented that this was one of the best conclave in terms of quality, content and level of participation. The IISSM Excellence Awards IISSM leadership has taken great pains to strengthen internal security of the nation and this 29th conclave in a row showed utmost commitment and unflinching support for enhancing security of people, business and government agencies. Based on the ethos and overall organisational aim, it presents IISSM Security and Safety Excellence Awards every year. This year too, the IISSM Security and Safety Ex cellence Awards were awarded to those organizations which have contributed immensely towards the security and safety of the men, material and information in their organisations and elsewhere, and set an example for others to follow. In addition, there were individual excellence awards for those who think and act out of the box solutions thus contributing a great deal to the society. This year’s Awards have gone to IT/ ITES, construction giants like L&T and Shapoorji & Pallonji, Automotives (Sundaram Auto) and Tourism & Hospitality sectors. Board of Governor’s Meeting (BOG) On the sidelines of the conclave, IISSM Board of Governors met for annual deliberations on 14 November 2019, which took stock of the current year performance and delved into policy making for the next year. Several important decisions were announced by the Executive Chairman, IISSM in his concluding speech. Next year IISSM’s 30th Annual Conclave will be held in Delhi.    

< Associated as the ‘Platinum Sponsor’ for the third year in a row > < Showcasing its latest technology offerings > < Saeed Hall 1, Booth #S1-G12. Dubai World Trade Center > Infinova is geared up for Intersec 2020, one of the world’s leading security exhibitions being held at Dubai during 19-21 January 2020. The company is a leading global security products manufacturer, headquartered in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey, USA, with various offices worldwide. Committed to technology, quality and reliability, Infinova delivers state-of-the-art digital surveillance solutions. They specialize in offering integrated video surveillance solutions with a constant endeavor to deliver cutting-edge technology. Their integrated solution portfolio comprises high definition smart IP cameras, specialized cameras such as ex-proof cameras, intelligent video management software, intelligent network video recorders, video analytics, artificial intelligence solutions, traffic management solutions and financial and retail surveillance solutions. Moreover, Infinova specializes in offering seamless customized integrations with multiple systems thus taking technology and comfort to a completely different level. At Intersec 2020, they will demonstrate the latest technology offerings which include high definition face capture camera, Starlight enabled cameras, 4K cameras, explosion proof and edge-analytics enabled cameras, NVR, video management software and much more. A brief about some of the Infinova’s best offerings is as follows: HD 6MP Smart Low Light WDR Face Capture IP Box Camera Infinova VS210‐P5‐A0 series H265 HD 6MP Smart WDR Face Capture IP Box Camera is based on the algorithm of deep learning. Boasts of rich intelligent functions, it supports facial detection and face snapshot. VS210‐P5‐A0 series allows image output resolution up to 3088×2072@30fps, 1920×1080@60fps. HD 2Megapixel Starlight WDR Intelligent IP PTZ Dome Camera VT230-A2 series is high definition intelligent IP dome camera that supports 1920×1080@60fps. It adopts H.265/H.264/M-JPEG encoding and its output provides excellent definition and color revivification degree which enables the acquisition of rich and accurate details so as to effectively guarantee smart analysis accuracy. H.265 HD 5Megapixel Intelligent IR IP Bullet Camera VT211-A5 series 5 MP IR IP fixed camera features 1/1.8″ progressive scan CMOS sensor and built-in 5.0 megapixel 2.8-12mm Vari-focus lens. With H.265/H.264/M-JPEG compression format utilized, this camera can output HD full-frame videos with the resolution of 5292×1944@30fps. The built-in dot matrix IR illuminators allow a maximum of 30 meters night vision distance. H.265 HD 4Megapixel IR IP Dome Camera VH221-A4 Series is an Infinova HD 4MP WDR IR Smart IP Minidome Camera. It adopts a 1/3″ progressive scan CMOS sensor with an internal 2.8mm-12mm HD motorized zoom lens. The camera has an internal dot matrix LED IR lamp of 30m IR distance. The camera supports up to 2592×1520@20fps HD network video output. It uses H.265/H.264/M-JPEG. 6.0 Megapixel Starlight Face Capture IR IP PTZ Dome Camera Based on deep-learning algorithm, VS231-P5 series HD IR IP dome camera is specially designed for intelligent face capturing and recognition. The camera has a built-in HD integrated camera module, utilizes large size progressive scanning CMOS sensor and has an internal 30X optical zoom lens. The camera has rich smart functions, including face detection, face capturing, etc. The camera adopts large power LED infrared lamps, with infrared wave length of 850nm, covering up to 150m for night view. HD IP 2MP Integrated Explosion Proof IR PTZ Dome Camera This IR Ex-Proof camera adopts explosion proof shield design featuring high definition, high frame rate, high signal-noise ratio and high assurance. It come with a built-in 44X HD integrated network camera module. Built with a high-efficiency infrared/white light array lamp, low thermal energy, low power consumption, infrared distance up to 200m. Inbuilt Intelligent functions-Cross-line detection, intrusion alarm, illegal parking, automatic tracking, face detection, license plate recognition Infinova Key Deployments  

A thought leader and an action catalyzer rolled into one – Anil Puri is a rare combination of a visionary, and one who has mastered the art of strategic and tactical thinking to the core. He has been using this combination to seed new ideas and to lead them to their implementations on ground. This has been a consistent feature of his career. Here he writes about the role of the private security industry in smart policing, and a unique initiative taken by the CAPSI Chairman Kunwar Vikram Singh on the role of PSI vis-à-vis the public police relations and community safety. Modern smart cities necessitate, and are witnessing integrations at various levels. A modern Indian city embodies people, knowledge, resources, finances, democratic, political and cultural values, and various other relatable aspects that make it ‘smart.’ These constituent elements can be classified as asset groups, or capital such as intellectual, social, technical, environmental, cultural, leisure, and/ or financial capital. In a smart city, policing is not limited just to safeguarding lives and infrastructure, it also includes the safeguarding of data and information. Smart citizens are interconnected via smart phones and numerous other gadgets. Today many cities utilize smart energy meters, security devices and smart appliances. Homes, cars, public venues and other social systems are on the path of full connectivity thanks to Internet of Things (IoT). However – alongside all these given here – there is also a conspicuous surge in the complexity of the risks and threats in smart cities. Thus, a smart and integrated system of policing is the dire need for the modern smart cities to ensure safety of public, businesses and critical infrastructure, as well as prompt and proactive emergency responders and disaster recovery systems. The requirement of the modern police forces per se was well conceived and appropriately decrypted by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the acronym ‘SMART’ while addressing a national conference of DGPs at Guwahati in 2018. The each letter of the word stands respectively for – strict but sensitive, modern and mobile, alert and accountable, reliable and responsive, and techno-savvy and trained. Very few could think that it was a concept which would give a major fillip to his pet project of smart cities. He emphasized that a professionally efficient, technologically enabled, and socially sensitive police upholds the ‘rule of law’ and human rights in all situations, and also engages optimally with the community. The Homeland Security 2018 – an event organized by FICCI on smart policing held during 26 -27 July 2018 focused on live issues of predictive policing, geo-intelligence led policing and emergency response, which triggered many states to establish infrastructures and technology driven systems in line with Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) and Nationwide Emergency Response System ( NERS) at state level. Wide ranging deliberations during 14th Annual Conference of CAPSI and APDI on 15 and 16 November 2019 dedicated a fullfledged session on the role of private security industry towards public police relations and community safety. On that occasion, KG Balakrishnan, the Ex-Chief Justice of India, who is the Chairman of an NGO called ‘Public Police,’ conferred an additional charge on Kunwar Vikram Singh, Chairman – CAPSI, and appointed him the ‘President’ of the Public Police organization to carry forward the mission. This is a proud moment for CAPSI and the entire private security industry. Being a member of the Governing Council and National Vice President of CAPSI – I personally take this opportunity to felicitate him for the honour bestowed upon him and assure him of the support of the CAPSI members and all the stakeholders who are part of the value chain in realizing this mission. I am confident that the security guards who are the main stay of the PSI will definitely play a key role in augmenting the data base of intelligence in the process of prevention of crime and creation of safe and secure environment. This initiative is bound to bridge the gap of poor police to citizen ratio and complete the entire spectrum of preventive and predictive policing under the ambit of SMART policing. Anil Puri, CMD