The inaugural annual conference of the International Council for Industrial Security, Safety & Management (ICISSM) took place on Friday, May 10, 2024, at the Institute of Social Science in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. Attended by a distinguished gathering from the fraternity, representing various parts of the country, the conference received a warm welcome. With the theme ‘New Age Threats, New Edge Mitigation,’ the event featured keynote addresses and panel discussions aimed at sharing knowledge and fostering insightful deliberations.
Commencing punctually with the National Anthem and the traditional lamp lighting ceremony with Ganesh vandana, the conference was inaugurated. Maj Gen. Vikram Singh, Chairman of ICISSM, highlighted the significance of embracing new-age technologies in his welcome address. He emphasized the rapidly evolving nature of security practices due to technological advancements and briefed the attendees about the diverse activities, courses, and training programs offered by ICISSM. Following his address, Maj Gen. Singh officially declared the conference open.
Kunwar Vikram Singh, Chairman of CAPSI, graced the occasion as the chief guest. In his address to the audience, he underscored the imperative of fostering a culture of security. Drawing examples from history, he elucidated how the martial spirit of India was historically entrusted with the security of a nation comprising 25% of the national population. However, he noted a decline in this aspect, attributing it to various external influences and increased global exposure. Before concluding his remarks and extending wishes for a successful conference, he emphasized that security is a collective responsibility and should be regarded as a ‘Rashtriya Dharm’ (national duty).
The first panel discussion of the day titled “Synergy between Security & EHS – Adoption of Industry Best Practices” was expertly moderated by Col. D. R. Semwal, Chief Patron of ICISSM. He kicked off the discussion by stating that in today’s world, security and EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety) are increasingly converging.
Nachiket Vaze emphasized that security and safety are essentially two sides of the same coin, stressing the importance of achieving synergy between them.
Capt A A Collaco addressed the complexity of integrating security and EHS, noting that they often operate in silos due to different priorities. He also highlighted the growing integration of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) into these functions, acknowledging the resistance to change and the role of technology in facilitating integration.
Nand Kishore proposed a comprehensive four-point plan for success: Risk Analysis, a Culture of Compliance, Training & Awareness, and Allocation of necessary resources. He emphasized the importance of self-belief and envisioned a future where security managers operate as business managers.
Finally, Jeetendra Singh emphasized the critical need for collaboration between security and EHS in healthcare settings, stressing that working in silos is simply not viable for healthcare facilities.
Despite feeling unwell, Capt. Garry Singh, the first keynote speaker, honoured his commitment to the fraternity and the council. He delivered an insightful talk on the “Impact of Global Disturbances on Internal Security in India.” Using current examples like the geo-political situations with Russia & Ukraine, Israel, Palestine, and Iran, he illustrated his points. Mr. Singh emphasized that the Security Industry is the largest in the world because of its necessity. He further stated that the impact on internal security correlates with two factors: (a) the diplomatic relationship with the country/region of conflict and (b) the distance from the area of impact.
In panel discussion number 2, moderated by Dr. R K Tyagi, the focus was on the transition from “home to homeland” and the shaping of security culture in India. The panel comprised young yet seasoned security professionals from diverse roles within the sector. The consensus underscored the paramount importance of cultivating a robust security culture.
Captain Gaurav Bajetha succinctly encapsulated this notion, emphasizing that a security culture ultimately saves lives. He emphasized the pivotal role of early education, advocating for the integration of security and safety principles into the curriculum from a young age.
Prashant Shishodia echoed this sentiment, asserting that a well-trained and aware populace fosters a culture of security, which, in turn, nurtures a peaceful and prosperous society. He emphasized the need for instilling this awareness in children during their formative years, concurring with Gaurav’s stance on early education.
Ankit Sabharwal highlighted the significance of skilled and competent security professionals, emphasizing the critical role of ongoing training and awareness-building initiatives. He emphasized that such efforts not only benefit organizations but also contribute to fostering a culture of security at the community and national levels.
Chakradhari Rowe referenced a campaign initiated in the United States post-9/11, encapsulated in the phrase “If you see something, say something.” However, he noted that this adage has evolved over time to align with contemporary challenges. He proposed a revised approach: “If you see something wrong, do something right.” He emphasized the individual’s responsibility to identify, isolate, and mitigate threats, highlighting how these actions collectively contribute to the cultivation of a security-conscious culture within society.
During his keynote address, Sanjeev Sehgal, the founder and managing director of Sparsh CCTV, highlighted the significance of recent government notifications, namely the Public Procurement Order (PPO) and Compulsory Registration Order (CRO). He emphasized that these directives mark a significant triumph for the “Make in India” initiative. Sehgal elaborated on how these orders establish essential requirements for all CCTV procurements, affecting both public and private sectors. Notably, these mandates encompass hardware and software components alike.
Maj. Gen. Sanjay Soi delivered an outstanding presentation, providing a comprehensive analysis of quality service delivery in the security sector and aligning it with end-user expectations. Through recent research and insightful data, he illustrated the standards, both strategic and tactical, emphasizing the importance of meeting user expectations. He presented graphical representations highlighting the nuances of user expectations and concluded with a practical checklist for end users, stressing the balance between service quality and expenses.
As a surprise, before the lunch break, Dr. R K Tyagi from CISS Services Limited took the stage to honour Major General Sanjay Soi and Capt. (Prof.) SB Tyagi for their outstanding dedication to training and skill development at CISS over the past few years.
The post-lunch session kicked off with a riveting panel discussion on AI, IOT, and variable user information sharing for enhanced security. Renowned cybersecurity expert Col. (Dr.) Inderjit Singh, known globally, took the reins as the moderator. He opened by emphasizing the pivotal role of distinguishing between beneficial and malevolent AI, highlighting the growing dominance of artificial intelligence in our lives.
Arijit Biswas, a young start-up entrepreneur, shared poignant anecdotes of her parents grappling with AI challenges. He aptly referenced the adage “keep your friends close and your enemies closer,” underlining the necessity of understanding cyber threats in our midst and disseminating this knowledge for collective security.
Lt. Col. Vipin Bhatia followed with a data-driven presentation, stressing the inevitability of encountering challenges, particularly in the realm of cybersecurity. Drawing examples from high-profile incidents involving celebrities, he underscored the importance of proactive security measures to safeguard against cyber attacks.
Subhendu Chakraborty delved into the technical intricacies of global cybercrime trends, providing insights into the evolving landscape of digital threats.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Inderjit Singh sounded a cautionary note, warning that unchecked AI advancement could potentially surpass human capabilities by 2029, stressing the urgency of responsible regulation and oversight.
The host of the event and chairman of CROPC, Col. (Prof.) Sanjay Srivastava, gave a very exciting presentation about the activities of CROPC and how weather forecasts affect the economy, businesses, and daily lives. He encouraged the audience by sharing information about many apps made in India and insisted that we should use Bharat Ki technology. He mentioned his contributions in indigenising various platforms like apps like Maple, BOS, 112 India, and PM Gatishakti. He enlightened that these technologies would enable each industry to have location specific digitised and precise weather forecasts in management of business, supply chain, energy transition, climate action, ESG, environmental care and healthcare. CROPC offered its training and education programme of new edge technologies to all.
He show cased Health ATM hPod launched under Ayushman Bharat digital Health mission, how digital healthcare is revolutionising preventive healthcare. He recommended corporates to utilise hPod to maintain healthcare of its workforce, CSR and democratising national goal – affordable and accessible healthcare for all.
The next technical presentation was by Summit Menon, CEO, and Co-founder of The Response Company, which was also one of the platinum sponsors of the event. He spoke about modern-day effective response using technology and showcased the services that his company, TRC, offers in the B2B space. He explained how their control room connects to the right state-run authority in multiple emergency situations.
Novman Ahmed, MD of HSCC India Limited, delivered a succinct yet impactful presentation on healthcare infrastructure challenges. He emphasized two key themes: entropy and metamorphosis. Mr. Ahmed urged the security fraternity to contribute to meeting the infrastructure needs for the anticipated 1.6 billion population by 2047.
The culminating session of the day, a dialogue spearheaded by Rekha Gairola and Veena Gupta, proved to be the unequivocal highlight of the event. Their collective presence on stage exuded not just excellence but also a mesmerizing quality, evident in the depth of their concept, the richness of their content, and the gracefulness of their conduct. As they navigated through the intricacies of the topic at hand, it became abundantly clear that these women were not just participants; they were orchestrators of change, representing both the present and the future of leadership in the industry.
The overarching theme of the discussion ‘Women Leadership: Quest for continual Improvement,’ centred on the relentless pursuit of improvement, a quest deeply ingrained in the ethos of these leaders. Their discourse was not merely a recitation of achievements but a narrative of resilience, adaptability, and untiring determination. Through their words and actions, they conveyed a powerful message to the audience — that they had not only arrived but were here to redefine the very landscape they inhabited.
The dialogue unfolded as a symphony of voices, each contributing a unique perspective while harmonizing seamlessly with the others. Jyotsna Bhalla, Geetika Wahi, Garima Goswamy, Niharika Karamchandani, and Akshita Mathur, each a luminary in her own right, engaged in a conversation that was as inspiring as it was encouraging. Their exchanges were not confined to the stage but resonated deeply within the hearts and minds of all those present, igniting a spark of possibility and empowerment.
During the feedback session, Dr. Rajiv Mathur expressed his belief that the day we no longer need to discuss women in security will mark a significant victory. He highlighted the all-women panel discussion as a positive step forward. In the audience feedback, Jitendra Singh commended the efforts of ICISSM and encouraged the organization to continue hosting such events regularly.
The conclusion of the conference was marked by a gracious note of appreciation delivered by Capt. Manoj Kumar, the Executive President of ICISSM. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the esteemed speakers, insightful panelists, and engaged audience for their invaluable contributions and dedication to knowledge sharing. Additionally, he extended sincere thanks to the generous support of the Platinum Sponsors, Sparsh CCTV and The Response Company, as well as the Silver Sponsor, Hatfield.
Recognition was also given to CROPC for their role as the event partner, MIGS Global Consulting as the knowledge partner, and Security Link India as the media partner. Special commendation was reserved for the exceptional efforts of the conference’s convener, Manan Batra, along with Radha Choudhary and Dr. Juhi Prinaka Horo. Capt. Manoj also expressed gratitude to Institute of Social Sciences and Col. Sanjay Shrivastav for graciously providing the venue for the event, as well as to all the dedicated volunteers from various Universities.
