What is new in Security Industry?

Few years back, when I first started writing on Industrial Security, it seemed as though I was chasing a new trend every year, then every six months. I still vividly recall holding a ‘numeric pager’ in my hand totally awe-struck! It was used by NSG commandos. Soon I had my own ‘alpha-numeric pager’ thankfully supplied with gold-plated chain to secure it!

Before I could master the specifications of CCTV system based on co-axial cables, there were those with fiber-optic cables. VHS based recordings were replaced by DATs. nDVR were next big things followed by HD cameras. Soon technology became so fast-paced that old timers started showing signs of fatigue from learning new things.

Things soon settled down and now innovations are far and few. Few niches and USPs are being created based on standard and time tasted technologies. I get the question at lots of conferences: What do I see as the next big thing in security? I usually respond with just a smile! The reason is that I see absolutely nothing new, and haven't for some time. Some might say that's a cynical, jaded response. I don't think so. Security doesn't need a constant torrent of new trends to be interesting and important.

Yes, in some recent years, especially the last two or three, I've seen nothing new. It's the same old threats and the same old technological and cultural challenges. Gone are the days when I attended security conferences in hopes of catching a new trend!

There is usual excitement in the air as security professionals wait for launch of some new product or technology in some of the leading exhibitions! That has not happened for some time and it is sadly disappointing! The manufacturers choose to launch their products in countries with failing economy and falling industrial growth and ignore the robust economy and growing market. These bias needs to change soon as the developing countries have indicated that their industries also want nothing but the best and latest when it comes to security.

As I see it, we keep coming to these events in hopes of finding some new morsel of information on how to deal a little more effectively with the same old stuff.

Capt S B Tyagi, Co-founder

Changing Scenario: Security Services in India

Digital displays changed the approach of modern man towards time and especially towards wrist watches. Hitherto, time was seen but suddenly time was being read with digital watches. So, analog watches were replaced by digital watches even when for a short time. Since the need for analog watches remained and technology transition took time, a new genre of watches, called “Digi-ana” (Digital and Analog) was brought to the market.

Similar technology driven changes were made in banking industry which greatly facilitated customers and also impacted security concerns. ATMs changed the ways banking is done! Since banks wanted to cut operational costs, they also wanted less and less customers coming to their branches for mundane banking activities such as cash withdrawal, balance inquiry or pass-book updates. ATMs were answer to all such needs and were found to be convenient, efficient and low cost. As Customers liked it, banks eagerly multiplied the number of ATM’s. Initially different group of credit cards were present, soon debit cards also joined the hustle-and-bustle and soon majority of ATM’s started accepting all leading brands of credits cards and debit cards of all leading banks. At this stage since foot falls per ATM increased, increased need of cash in ATM caused security concerns. The licensing authorities, regulators and police demanded effective security measures for ATMs, causing increased administration costs. Thus ‘banking-away-from banks’ became expensive propositions considering 24x7 operation and security needs.

It is well studied forecast of changing trends in ATM operations that soon ATMs will remain just ATM without carrying name of any bank. All the transactions using credit / debit cards will carry transaction fees and operation and maintenance will be by some specialized agency other than the banks. Thus ATM operations will cater to varied needs of the customers and also incorporate directives of the regulator, licensor and the police. It is further envisaged that soon in India every citizen will have only one bank account against the present freedom of holding multiple accounts in multiple banks. This migration to ‘regulated bank account regime’ will go long way for effective e-governance and reducing black money as well as reducing tax thefts.

In this emerging scenario; changing trends in security management will develop. Two major trends are foreseen-

• Central Command & Control Center
• ATM Management Services.

There have been pioneering services started by few leading companies in Metro cities where under command and control center have been established by them with the trained manpower and sufficient resources with Quick Response Teams, to take care of specific need of clients. The clients’ CCTV and other alarm system are maintained and monitored, notifying the pre-identified authorities, mobilizing the resources to mitigate the alarm situation and prepare post-event reports. Since this area of specialized service has just opened-up, there are not very many players and standards are non-existent.

So far as ATM Management Services are concerned, the direction and decision of the Government will decide the shape this segment is to take. Early indications are that Central Government is seriously thinking of providing a bank account to every citizen of India linked with Aadhar and or National Citizenship Card. The citizen will have a choice for selecting a bank. Electronic transactions will be favored or rather encourage. Instead of going to the banks, the customer would be led to ATMs where any type of card from any bank will be acceptable. For each transaction the concerned bank will charge fees from customers, part of which will go to franchisee running / maintaining the ATMs. Thus new service segment will emerge which will offer range of services including congenial and secured environment where customer would prefer to have ATM transaction, cash transportation to feed ATMs security of machines and the facilities and up keep and maintenance of ATMs. All the gamut of services related to ATMs will be preferred to be provides by one services provider.

Thus, it can be seen by above that soon there will be two specialized services sectors emergency in broad area of security management for which niche is already created. Some pioneer work has already been done and industries thought-leaders have already begun the initiation to shape-up this segment further.

Role of CCTV Cameras – Public, Privacy and Protection

Many European countries now employ public video surveillance as a primary tool to monitor population movements and to prevent terrorism. The United Kingdom (UK) in particular relies extensively on video surveillance as a tool to fight crime and prevent terrorism. According to some researchers, the camera surveillance systems in the UK are discouraging and thus preventing crime.

The UK is recognized as a leading user of CCTV and the public are used to seeing CCTV cameras on virtually every high street. Such systems continue to enjoy general public support but they do involve intrusion into the lives of ordinary people as they go about their day to day business and can raise wider privacy concerns.

The potential value of public surveillance technology took on new meaning last April, 2013 when investigators identified the two suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing after sifting through video images captured by the city’s cameras. The Boston bombers were apprehended quickly due to surveillance cameras. Yes! All agree! No dispute over how well the public cameras were on that day. Yet, many lingering questions need to be answered now, since we have time and opportunity to gather our wits and thoughts!

The related Policies - Who regulates and implements?

Who draws the line at what is public interest and just plain harassment when a camera is placed. What about the private camera placed on property with malicious intent? Who regulates the camera on private property? Yes surveillance cameras are important to deter crimes, however it is important to note who is at the other end of the camera? Who really is watching you? Who ultimately views what the camera lens observes? Who decides when a privately owned security surveillance camera is poorly or maliciously aimed (when the camera is deliberately pointed into the windows of a private residence)? Few months back Delhi Metro CCTV footages were on YouTube and also at some questionable sites. Who owns responsibility for not misusing the data of public CCTV surveillance? In short – who decides and regulates?

Are privately owned, operated surveillance cameras to be treated the same way as public cameras? We also need to draw fine lines about ‘Who really is watching you’? ‘Who owns that camera anyway’? Big brother? The Corporates? Or harassing neighbour? Who draws the line between public interest and harassment? At the moment, nobody! The camera could legally do what a peeping tom could not do. They could peer inside of windows with the full protection of the law on their side. If a person was standing watching outside a window it could be a crime, yet same person could place a surveillance camera then remotely view a person within the privacy of their home. Most important, it is not against the penal code.

If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to worry about.

When you're in a public space, you're in the eye of the public. So what's the difference in being watched by a closed circuit TV camera? Even if you were caught picking your nose the police aren't going to arrest you for that and no surveillance officer is going put it on national television. Yes, a video surveillance camera in public places is good. Helps in crime-prevention and works as deterrence. Post crime investigation is easy and catching culprits is easy for law-enforcement officers.

Raging debate on the subject at one of the web-site revealed the results as follows-

Good idea? 62% Say Yes 38% Say No

The arguments in favour –

We should have surveillance cameras in public places because they ensure public safety. Rarely will anyone attempt to harm you when they know their actions are being recorded on camera. Cameras keep you and your personal property safe. The police can identify criminals recorded with cameras. Through surveillance cameras, the police can both prevent crimes from happening and can quickly solve criminal cases with material evidence. In addition, surveillance cameras protect against property theft, and vandalism. It is very difficult to get away with stealing something if there are cameras filming you. Therefore, the thief will often get caught. Surveillance cameras will catch the thief before, or during the process of committing the crime. If no one is aware of the crime until after it has been committed, the surveillance footage is always a crucial piece of evidence during a police investigation. Surveillance cameras have, and will prevent many crimes.

Some people may say that we should not have surveillance cameras in public places. They claim that they invade privacy. That is false. Why be out in public if you want privacy? Just stay at home. Surveillance cameras are meant to keep you and other property safe, not to stalk you. Cameras are there not to invade a person's privacy but to protect the public by deterring criminal activity and by providing material evidence when a crime has been caught on film.

Criminals are less likely to commit crimes in the area if they know they're going to be being filmed the whole time. Things like shoplifting hardly seem worth it when pitted against the possibility of going to jail.

We should have surveillance cameras Why not? Having cameras in public places make people feel safe. If people know that there are cameras around them, they will most likely not do anything stupid! People feel safer in the knowledge that a potential mugger or attacker will be put-off by the presence of a camera. Cameras, through video analytics, now have the ability to zoom in to reveal someone's identity which can be beneficial to crime prevention when used in the correct way. The criminal can be apprehended quickly. Especially in abduction cases a video would be a great way of tracking down a person quickly and maybe preventing a death!

Arguments against

It is an infringement on your civil liberties. Why film innocent people doing nothing criminal in public places. Next, they'll be putting them in public restrooms.

Privacy Is Dead "Those who give up liberty for safety deserve neither" - Benjamin Franklin. A camera everywhere is not a deterrent as all that's needed is a mask. It will allow governments to watch us, which may not matter now, but in the wrong hands, can be catastrophic. We don't deserve to be watched while living our lives.

They don't work. In New York a man got stabbed and was left to die in front of three surveillance cameras. It took the ambulances 2 hours to get to the injured man, and he died before getting to the hospital. The surveillance cameras did nothing to help the man.

Surveillance cameras suck! I think this is an awful idea because if a window is open somewhere, a person could look through and watch them all the time so that is an invasion of privacy.

Police should be out on the streets trying to prevent crime. CCTV cameras are just a less effective alternative to having police walk the streets. CCTV cameras are just there to give the public a false feeling of safety and are a less effective replacement for policing.

The myth is that CCTV cameras prevent crime but the reality is that they do not.

Internet connected IP cameras are of particular concern. Such systems are more easily "hack-able" than a closed circuit system.

Governance and Governing Body

In the ensuing debates over privacy versus safety and security, advocates on both sides would be wise to consider the following guidelines -

• Responsibilities and Reasons: We need to consider privacy issues when creating surveillance policies. For one, cameras should avoid or mask inappropriate views of private areas, such as yards and windows of bedrooms or washrooms.
• Crime, Cost and Benefits: Public surveillance camera systems can be a cost-effective way to deter, document, and reduce crimes. For example the cost savings associated with crimes averted through camera systems in a city of USA saved over four dollars for every dollar spent on the technology, while another city yielded a 50 cent return on the dollar.
• Document and Publicize Policies. The law enforcing agencies must formulate on how surveillance cameras can be used and what are the disciplinary consequences for misuse. Likewise, officers should be thoroughly trained on these policies and held accountable for abiding by them.
• Forecasting and Post-Event Investigations: The usefulness of surveillance technology in preventing and solving crimes depends on the resources put into it. The most effective systems are those which are monitored by trained staff, have enough cameras to detect crimes in progress, and integrate the technology into all manner of law enforcement activities. Use of correct video-analytics can actually raise alarms about crimes or accidents before they take place. Correct management software will help in tagging, archiving and retrieving the authentic data for post-event investigation.
• Mix of Man and Machine: People should be out on the streets and work-places trying to prevent crime or losses. CCTV cameras are just a less effective alternative to having police walk the streets or security personnel on patrolling and physical surveillance. As with any technology, the use of cameras is by no means a substitute for good old-fashioned ground work. The camera footage provides additional leads in an investigation and aids in securing witness cooperation. The video footage serves as a complement to - but not a replacement for - eyewitness evidence in the courtroom.

Yes, public interest and safety along with surveillance cameras are here to stay. The need to draw definition of a public camera for public interest v/s a private surveillance camera placed for malafide intention must be addressed quickly. Public surveillance cameras and civil liberties can coexist if CCTV Systems are implemented and employed responsibly.

There are many metro / mega cities in India going for City Surveillance Projects, and, before implementing authorities make a shemozzle of ‘policy vacuum’, some regulatory mechanisms are needed to be put in place. Post-haste, Pronto! ASAP!!

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Comments by Capt Sanjay Sharma :

It will also be good to discuss the capabilities of CCTV operators and bring them under strict legislative control for preventing misuse of assigned responsibility. Sadly , most companies manufacturing CCTV systems do not have a strong training regimen around developing good CCTV operators or even system integrators thereby failing in ensuring quality knowledge transfer. Unfortunately, even Private Security Companies have done little to address this far too wide skill-set gap while they continue to boast of making CCTV operators available to their customers at much higherer costs than the other category of security personnel. This is evident as replacement of good CCTV operators is always a challenge before most Security Managers.This manpower quality deficit should particularly worry champions of smart city projects and city surveillance concepts while simultaneously encourage them to propose Policy changes that must be implemented to overcome these existing challenges.

Comments by Col Rajendra Singh Bhandari (Veteran) :

CCTVs are indeed a need in institutional and city security and other administrative management.The best value of the video surveillance lies in crime prevention, provided the video output is being constantly monitored manually/electronically. The alert must be raised instantly for remedial action.In addition the video out put must be analysed in 12 hr cycle to identify the breaches.The process of continuous manual video surveillance is rather demanding,prone to fatigue and requires an eye for intelligence gathering.The training of CCO(CCTV Operator) therefore, becomes equally important.They must be paid well and personally continuously coached by CSOs. CCTVs will become an asset.Privacy at all places must be respected.Video out put of such situations, must be also brought up to the CSO for in depth analysis of the incident without any kind of publicity,

Each One Teach One:Training at the beginning of career in Industrial Security

That men of uniform do not automatically become qualified for industrial security career is well settled issue after decades of raging debates! The men of uniform need to unlearn many things first to be able to learn new skills and aptitude needed for security management is amply supported by those who came to this career after successful career in armed forces!

Why they have to unlearn first? There are very different sets of skills, aptitude and attitude required to perform in the work culture which prevails only in armed forces coupled with the regimental discipline and camaraderie. Also the expertise developed and experience earned during the exercises or operations undertaken for combat related activities are of no use in industrial security. The tactics and strategies of war-fares of great importance in armed forces are different but are unrelated to industrial security. These cannot be applied even in homeland security what to talk about industrial security! The conduct and approach developed by men of uniform is acceptable in those organizations alone and are not acceptable and appreciated in industrial organizations. More than anything, the ego and conceit needs to be controlled in the industrial organizations which otherwise can cause serious and adverse industrial security relations. This has been the cause of downfall of many highly decorated men of uniform in their second career in industrial security management. Accustomed to pomp and ceremonies, habitual of rank based importance and used to unquestioned loyalty and impeccable execution of their orders, such are the conduct and expectations of these man of uniform that they are soon found misfit in the environ of industries where leadership traits and needs are different, where their subordinates have yet to accept them as their leaders and where seniors’ and juniors’ support and cooperation cannot be taken for granted. The assimilation of ideas, openness for suggestions, democratic decision making and diplomatic give-and-take in strategic matters are few traits which need to be learnt to be successful and progressive in their second career in industrial security management.

I have often wondered what special training and education senior armed forces officers undergo which qualifies them to be ‘Chief of Security’ in some industries. My own cousin was appointed as CSO in one of nationalize bank second day of his superannuation from Army. I asked him as to what made him qualified for this job and title and what book he read or course he undertook to qualify for security profession? He retorted by saying that I was asking the wrong guy and I should be asking this from his recruiter. He was right! What are the QRs (Qualities \ Qualifications Required) fixed for this job of by the banks? I have seen some of the advertisements in the newspaper for the post of CSO in the bank. Even while there are elaborate job descriptions, the QRs are considered to be inbuilt in the rank of the prospective candidate which may be Brigadiers or equal in armed force. This means that such positions are identified akin to the job responsibilities so far undertaken by these candidates. Is it not farcical and immature on the part of the recruiters? Such CSO are unable to make specifications of elementary security systems and gadgets. They are unable to make security related SOPs and they are also unable to draft the HR policies impacting security management functions. Their knowledge about laws related to workmen, contract labours, crimes and private defence is very elementary or sometimes much defected. Such security professional I have known to complete their uninspiring careers without reading something new, without teaching something new!

In recently held seminar during IFSEC 2014 at Delhi, GB Singh was making almost similar point underlining the need for men from armed forces to acquire new skills and knowledge before setting out for second career in industrial security. In the audience one ex-brigadier and two ex-colonel tool offence of this statement giving the impression that since they were high ranking officers from army they were already pre-eminently qualified for top-slot in the industrial security hierarchy. They also accused him to nurse strong bias against army officers and tried to engage in further arguments.

Now those who know GB Singh would also know that some of his best friends are from armed forces. Anyone with decent experience in industrial security would vouch him for his astute knowledge in the field and the sagacity of his in-depth articles on wide range of subjects in the field of industrial security management. He is known domain expert and Thought Leader known and acknowledged not only in India but abroad also. As editor of Security Today he has always maintained impartial and unbiased approach. Therefore such wild allegations rankled me no limits and made me to wonder if those officers' raw-nerves were touched unwittingly and they took the comments made by GB Singh as aimed personally towards them! If this be the case, then provable everything said by GB Singh and also stated above is true in essence.

Unlike European countries, the regulations in India are at very nascent stage. The Private Security Agency Regulation Act still leaves many gaps unplugged. Whereas gateman, bouncer or personal security officer in European countries need licence to start the profession and also regularly revalidate the licenses and undergo refresher course, there is no such requirements in India and that is the real reason that employers do not have elaborate QRs for security professionals nor are there any professional certification courses prescribed for prospective candidates embarking upon the career in the field of industrial security management!

At our own peril we will learn the need and start catering to the same. Amen!

pepper gas sprayed | Pepper spray incident leaves Parliament in tears | Photos India | - hindustantimes.com

pepper gas sprayed | Pepper spray incident leaves Parliament in tears | Photos India | - hindustantimes.com

“Threat to PM of India is from Rajiv Gandhi!” or words to that affect were famously said by one of my best friend in security fraternity during the NSG Raising Day function at Manesar witnessed by Shri Rajiv Gandhi when he was Prime Minister of India.

Today the Honourable pose greater threat to security of parliament then the conventional threats! There is serious need to relook on the security measures placed after parliament attack in 2001. Millions of rupees have been spent on placing ‘state-of-art’ security gadgets and systems. The application of technology for security management of Parliament Complex is something to make any security professional very proud. The planning is very perfect but the execution full of holes - nay gaps!

The Parliament security protocol needs immediate change – a paradigm shift. The security planners for parliament complex had reactively planned against situations similar to parliament attacks. Naturally that sad and unfortunate was still fresh in their minds. But, they need to look beyond especially after more than a decade of that incident.

After ‘vote-for-cash’ scam wads of currency note were smuggled in and were on public display in parliament. The play-cards and banners have been brought-in many times, recent being during anti-Telengana agitation by MPs from Andhra Pradesh. Mobile phones, tablets and cameras are routinely brought-in and no one seems to appreciate the threats they pose to security.

Talking of ‘paradigm-shift’, the ‘Committee on Security in Parliament’ needs to consider that thereat from
within looms if not larger then at least equal to the threats from outside. The recent conduct of Honourable is not something to make democracy proud. The often recommended-in-haste frisking of MPs is neither needed nor advisable as frisking is intrusive, derogatory and also not conclusive security measure.

There is no need to breach their privacy in open and conduct manual frisking them and checking their belongings. In Parliament Complex there are Door Frame Metal Detectors (DFMDs), Baggage Scanners, RFID based inventory tags and Biometric Access Control Systems – all very strategically installed and functional.  The need is to subject even the MPS to such systems and SOPs. For some inexplicable reasons the MPs were exempted from such checks and procedures which are very strictly adhered for others, least
realizing that all the security protocols were meant for the security of them only and were permitted to bypass them with no questions asked.

Now is the time for Honourable Speaker and all MPs bedsides security planners of parliament complex to realize that even MPs can be threat to others and as they have been in past with impunity, now also , can bring-in anything including weapons and explosives. No one has done it so far is no guarantee that no one will ever do it! God above, no one has thought doing so, but… To be ready to answer this ‘but’, all are required to be considering the worst scenario and preparing accordingly.

Capt S B Tyagi, COAS’CC*

International Council of Security and Safety Management,

Ph.No. 0121-251834 - Direct

sbtyagi@gail.co.in; 

sbtyagi1958@gmail.com

My Blog:       http://captsbtyagi.blogspot.com

My web-site: http://www.wix.com/sbtyagi/icissm

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