Year: 2019

The Central Association of Private Security Industry (CAPSI) has recently partnered with the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) and signed an MoU with them to accelerate the promotion and propagation of the ‘Security sTar Agencies Rating’ (STAR) scheme for private security agencies (PSAs). The MoU was signed jointly by Kunwar Vikram Singh, Chairman, CAPSI and Saurabh Sanyal, Deputy Secretary General, ASSOCHAM. The ‘Security sTar Agencies Rating’ (STAR) scheme has been conceptualized and developed by CAPSI with the active help and support of the Quality Council of India (QCI), the country’s apex quality facilitation and national accreditation body. The scheme was launched in February this year during the Special Standards Conclave organized by the Ministry of Commerce in Mumbai. It, for the first time, introduces standardized labels of quality for the country’s 22,000 private security agencies. The scheme aims to regulate private security agencies on the basis of internationally accepted ISO standards. “The scheme will prove to be a game changer in the overall functioning of the private security agencies in India. The STAR scheme envisages a ‘seven star’ rating system purely based on competence and compliance factors,” said Kunwar Vikram Singh, “Based on sound technical requirements and certification, STAR rating by CAPSI & QCI will give both private security industry and clients the confidence and assurance of providing high standard security services. The certification will open new horizons for the private security industry and provide a sound foundation for the recognition of this sector.” “Security sTar Agencies Rating Scheme is a landmark development for the Indian security industry. It brings the much-needed quality standards benefitting all stakeholders across the board. It would lead to encouraging good and effective security services providers and thus helping society in better crime protection and risk management. Its successful adoption would be a total game changer by establishing true confidence even with police and government authorities. Both CAPSI and QCI have shown a tremendous sense of responsibility in meticulously defining and establishing the certification criteria and volunteering themselves. ASSOCHAM is proud to endorse its implementation for the safety and security of end-users” – Anil Dhawan Co-Chairman, NCHS & DM – ASSOCHAM Saurabh Sanyal commented, “It is a very unique step taken by CAPSI along with QCI to modernize and upgrade the private security industry. Over 4.5 lakh Assocham members and its 450 associations will adopt this advanced approach to private security management. Apart from physical security, we will also move towards addressing the modern day challenges related to cybersecurity.” The certification levels range from a single star to seven stars with each successive one implying incrementally higher quality. A 1-star agency would merely need to be compliant with the regulatory requirements prescribed under PSARA 2005, while a 7-star agency would represent professionally managed security operations complying with the best global standards. The ratings would help domestic consumers make informed choices and bolster the country’s opportunities to export private security services. “This initiative will work for the domestic market and help us expand services in other countries,” added the CAPSI Chairman, “Indian companies are already providing security services to customers in West Asia, Africa and Europe.” “The STAR scheme is a testimony to our commitment and embodies our belief that while Indian industry should adopt international standards, the industry may need to do so in phases, and hence there is a provision of levels of certification with the ultimate objective of meeting international standards like ISO 9001 as also domestic regulations. The QCI expects that it could take about six months before the first set of private security agencies prepare themselves for assessment to earn the stars” – Anil Jauhri CEO, National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies, QCI Earlier this year, a team of four CAPSI members facilitated by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and External Affairs, Government of India, visited Qatar and met local officials to explore and discuss opportunities towards the security requirements during the FIFA World Cup sched uled in the country in 2022. The certification seeking security agencies will be assessed on multiple technical and operational parameters including competence and quality of training, internal management practices, problem-solving capacities, equipment and resources, communication and documentation, and internal audits and so on. In accordance with the governing structure, the STAR scheme has three bodies – Steering, Technical and Certification Committees. After due deliberations they have formulated various guidelines relating to the scheme. The scheme was approved by the Steering Committee headed by AN Roy, former DGP, Mumbai. While one star rating corresponds to the mere PSARA compliance, three star rating encompasses certain essential management compliances along with the basic PSARA criteria. Similarly, five star rating corresponds to the criteria laid down in ISO90001(+) and seven star rating corresponds to the International ISO 18788. The intervening even number of star rating will be given to the PSAs who maintain sustained compliance for three years on their present rating. The scheme has been welcomed by the security industry, the business houses, as well as government bodies.  

The second edition of it-sa India 2019 – India’s IT Security Expo & Conference – recently concluded on a successful note at BEC, Mumbai. Organized by NürnbergMesse India, the event was supported by TeleTrust, Data Security Council of India, FICCI and the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce; Deloitte was the knowledge partner for the event. The event attracted more than 900 attendees. The event gained wider relevance considering the growth of major drivers of IT security market in India which included the growth of internet penetration, data theft, rise in the usage of smart handled devices in India, globalization and liberalization, amongst others. Brands of repute such as Siemens, SAP, TeleSoft, GlobalSign, Invest in Bavaria, Widas, Hikvision etc., showcased their latest innovations and cutting-edge technologies during the show. The event also witnessed an Indo-German Expert workshop on the topic of ‘Securing the Internet of Things: Indo-German Exchange on Standards and Certification’ which was organized on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, by GIZ – the German Agency for International Cooperation in collaboration with the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) and the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC). Given the international relevance of IoT device security, India and Germany collaborated on effective responses by the public and private sectors. The workshop was attended by senior officials from the Indian Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, the Indian Ministry of Electronics and IT, the Bureau of Indian Standards, and representatives from German and Indian companies and industry associations. The conference program at it-sa India powered by Deloitte featured discussions and presentations on a series of relevant and innovative themes including combatting threats through new age technology, increasing importance of cyber insurance, assuring a secure ecosystem, growing demand for cyber talents and so on. Featuring some of the top experts from the industry, the program highlighted and brought to the forefront key issues which will play a significant role in shaping the future of the Industry. Other highlights included key note session with Paula Januszkiewicz, Security Expert and Founder and Ceo of CQURE Academy, who presented on ‘Think and Act Like a Hacker to Protect Your Company’s Assets.’ The session’s inaugural key note was delivered by Brijesh Singh, Special Inspector General of Police for Cyber, Govt. of Maharashtra. The relevance of it-sa India is also endorsed by key exhibitors. Rohit Singh, Country Head – Asia-pac and India, Telesoft Technologies Ltd. said, “An excellent insight into the challenging and changing cyber world, providing a wealth of knowledge to help the public, private and government agencies remain safe and compliant in the digital world. it-sa India was well organised, there were good topics in presentations, and informative discussions. It was a great event with broad spectrum of delegates and opportunity to network with thought leaders.” “it-sa India event was an excellent opportunity to connect and network with cyber security industry stakeholders and ecosystem partners. The event turned out to be an excellent platform to showcase Hikvision’s latest security and surveillance solutions. The event has helped create awareness about cyber security across verticals, which will help bolster the Digital India vision,” said Ashish P. Dhakan, MD & CEO, Prama Hikvision India Pvt. Ltd. The next edition of the event will take place in Mumbai in 2020.  

Hikvision participated in the second edition of it-sa India, India’s IT security expo and conference to showcase its latest security and surveillance solutions. The event was organized from 15-16 May, 2019 at Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai, India. The event was the convergence point of IT security experts and stakeholders from South Asia region. It was inaugurated by Brijesh Singh IPS, Secretary & Director General Information & Public Relations, and Special Inspector General of Police, Cyber, GOM; Ms. Paula Januszkiewiz, CEO & Founder, CQURE Academy; Vishal Jain, Partner, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP; A.L. Narasimhan, Vice President – Strategic Business Alliances, Prama Hikvision India Pvt. Ltd.; Frank Venjakob, Exhibition Director, it-sa Security Expo & Conference; Vinayak Godse, Director, Data Security Council of India; and Ms. Sonia Parashar, Managing Director, Nurnberg Messe India. After the lamp lighting ceremony, Mr. Narasimhan gave a corporate presentation on Hikvision. “it-sa India event was an excellent opportunity to connect and network with cybersecurity industry stakeholders and ecosystem partners. The event turned out to be an excellent platform to showcase Hikvision’s latest security and surveillance solutions. The event has helped create awareness about cybersecurity across verticals, which will help bolster the Digital India vision,” said Ashish P. Dhakan, MD & CEO, Prama Hikvision India Pvt. Ltd. The it-sa India expo showcased an extensive range of information security products and services from leading principals, manufacturers, vendors, suppliers and key solution partners covering all areas of IT security including research and security consulting. The concurrent conference program included expert talks and panel discussions featuring some of the best names from the Industry. Hikvision participated in the panel discussion on the theme – ‘Next Generation Security Innovations for Cyber Threats’ where Mr. Narasimhan shared his views. The second edition of it-sa India event provided a good opportunity to connect with the companies and solution providers in the cybersecurity, policy advocacy and privacy issues in India. Hikvision booth attracted delegates, policymakers, cybersecurity experts, solution providers, consultants and dignitaries from the IT security domain.