Expo Sees Remarkable 33% Surge in Attendance The 2nd edition of SAFE West India, India’s premier security and fire expo, organised by Informa Markets in India, successfully concluded at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai. The three-day event, that was held from May 9 to 11, 2024, offered a platform for industry players, government officials and enthusiasts to converge, innovate, and address the challenges and opportunities in the industrial safety and security sector. The expo closed with resounding success, with the expo seeing a remarkable 33% surge in attendance, indicating the growing interest and importance of safety and security in the region. SAFE West encompasses a wide range of trends and solutions in the realm of commercial security and surveillance, focusing on preventive technologies and innovations tailored for the Western India market. The expo united esteemed Indian brands specializing in CCTV, surveillance, biometrics, entrance automation, access control, GPS, Wi-Fi routers, RFID, spy cameras, PoE switches, power supply, and CCTV cables. The inaugural ceremony of SAFE West India 2024 was graced by esteemed guests, including Sanjeev Tiwari, ARVP, ASIS West India Region; Sandeep Sabharwal, Assistant Vice President – Corporate Administration, Aditya Birla Management Corporation Pvt. Ltd; Vijay Goel, Vice President, Trade Association of Information Technology (TAIT); Prof. Amol Deshmukh, Police and Cyber Advisor, Dept. of Home, Govt. of Maharashtra; Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa Markets in India; Pankaj Jain, Sr. Group Director & Digital Head, Informa Markets in India. Over 75 brands, including prominent players like Hikvision, Prama, Panasonic, CP Plus, ZKTeco, ESSL, Biomax, Matrix Comsec, Securus, Voltaic Cables, Realtime, Timewatch, TP Link etc., exhibited their latest products, services, and technologies. The expo featured a dedicated two-day conference themed – Intelligent Security Tech for a Safer Future with over 40 speakers, 12 insightful sessions and is anticipating attendance from over 5000 trade visitors. The diverse participation made it a significant gathering in the realm of security industry. This event was supported by prominent associations, including All India Electronics Security Association (AIESA), American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Delhi Chapters, Association of System Integrators and Retailers in Technology (ASIRT), Global Association for Corporate Services (GACS), International Institute of Security and Safety Management (IISSM), Jalgaon District Computer Dealers Association (JDCDA), Kathiyawad Security and Surveillance Assembly (KASSA), Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Mumbai and Chennai Chapters, The Gujarat Surveillance and IT Association (GSITA), and Trade Association of Information Technology (TAIT), Computer and Media Dealer`s Association Pune, (CMDA), South Gujarat Information Technologists Association ( SITA), Security Association of India, Security association of Gujrat, Federation of IT association of Gujrat (FITAG}, Islampur Computer Dealer Association, and Knowledge Partner – Mitkat Advisory, enhancing its credibility and industry support and reflects a collaborative approach to advancing security and safety. Prof. Amol Deshmukh, Police and Cyber Advisor, Dept. of Home, Govt. of Maharashtra, said, “From July 1, significant changes are underway as three old acts – Indian Penal Code, Indian Criminal Procedure Code, and Indian Evidence Act – are being replaced by Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nyaya Shastra, and Bharatiya Saksha Adhiniyam. These new acts aim to revamp and replace outdated colonial laws in India, focusing on a victim-centric approach and enhancing national and homeland security. Recent reports from the National Crime Record Bureau indicate an increase in cyber and physical crimes. However, with advancements in technology, law enforcement agencies are better equipped to solve crimes. Today, surveillance teams in control rooms can identify detailed information, including the brand of spectacles someone is wearing. This technological shift has revolutionized crime investigation and fire safety, aiding in both prevention and investigation. Integration of cyber and physical security offers a unique opportunity to create a safer India. The knowledge shared at SAFE West India will contribute significantly to our collective efforts.” Recognizing the significance of SAFE West India, Sandeep Sabharwal, Assistant Vice President – Corporate Administration, Aditya Birla Management Corporation Pvt. Ltd, said, “SAFE West India provides a valuable platform for stakeholders from various sectors, including vendors, industries, and end-users, to come together and collaborate. The evolution of security is evident, from traditional methods to integrated technological solutions like AI, IoT, and cloud-based systems. Now security is an integrated form, not limited to a guard at the gate but includes sophisticated systems such as video monitoring, perimeter intrusion detection, and drone surveillance, enhancing overall safety. With this being the second edition, we are confident that SAFE West India will surpass its previous successes.” Ashish P. Dhakan, CEO of Prama Hikvision India, said, “Indian security market ecosystem is rapidly adopting AI, IoT and cloud based technologies and diverse solutions. The adoption rate for AIoT solutions is growing faster with the awareness of its advantages. Hikvision India is at the forefront of AIoT technology innovations and is offering cutting-edge technologies in all its latest products and solution. Hikvision unveiled 4G solar cameras, embedded network video recorders (eNVRs), smart hybrid cameras, and PT solutions. Hikvision showcased their latest in AI and robotics technology, featuring video security, access control, and perimeter security solutions. Notably, they introduced mobile robots, machine vision products, and logistic vision solutions.” He further added, “The impact of 5G-enabled cameras, eliminating cabling needs for applications like highway surveillance. Even familiar products like X-ray scanners are getting smarter, now using AI to identify items and generate QR codes. These advancements underscore the growing importance of technology in security. Platforms like SAFE West India play a vital role in presenting these innovations and driving industry growth.” Anup Nair, President Sales, CP Plus, said, “In terms of industry size, the surveillance industry stands at approximately $2 billion including server storage at the consumption level and around $1.5 billion at the OEM level. Post-COVID, the industry has stabilized and is growing at a CAGR of 15 to 18 percent. CP Plus closed last year at about 3,000 crores, with a growth rate of almost 25%. We anticipate maintaining this growth rate for the next two to three years, outpacing industry growth. We are hopeful for government initiatives, especially with infrastructure spending, and…