Keeping threats at bay

Font Size

Print

Feedback

Email

Discuss

Related Articles

LTTE tried to buy nuclear weapons: Report2003 Mumbai blasts: Court awards death penalty to ...No commission to probe Mumbai attacks: GovtEmerging threats: Cyber terrorism and cyber attack...

: Security is the new tech theme, since the recent serial bombings. And mere closed circuit television (CCTV) for monitoring and surveillance in key public places are not enough. With increasing threat to global security and a constant need for personal protection, there is a growing acceptance of new technologies to tackle any evolving situation in real-time.

Modern day security systems are offering the ability to integrate access control and identification, intrusion detection, building and fire controls, together with advanced chemical, biological, radiation/nuclear, and explosives sensors, ground radar, thermal imaging, and mobile platforms. The growing acceptance of new technologies is also offering the security surveillance equipment market limitless opportunities.

A recent Frost and Sullivan study pegs the market for security and surveillance equipment in India at Rs 1,800 crore.The worldwide CCTV market, which comprises both IP-based CCTV and conventional CCTV, is anticipated to increase at a CAGR of over 13% from 2007 to 2011. Global spending on video surveillance too is expected to increase from $630 million in 2006 to around $2 billion in 2013.

Sachin Gupta, who is the international sales manager at US-based ICx Technologies, a developer of sensor technologies for diverse security applications says: “Advanced technologies now allow people to detect many more threats over wider areas and to respond faster and more effectively. For instance, wide area technologies create virtual, multi-layered fences in urban, rural, marine and desert environments. Handheld, point and continuous monitoring detectors provide highly sensitive, accurate information in real, or near real-time.”

Security analysts inform that in today’s ever changing security environment, first responders, security officials and military personnel all face similar threats. Weapons of mass destruction, such as chemical, biological or nuclear threats, as well as improvised explosive devices, pose a threat to civilian, commercial and military targets alike. Therefore, fast and accurate detection, identification and tracking of the intruders becomes necessary not only to interdict the target, but also to assess the potential hazard and necessary response.

“Our integrated security platforms meet the needs inherent in today’s security environment. From your favourite amusement park, to your local metro stop, to the front lines, our technologies help secure citizens’ daily life,” says Gupta.

Another prominent player in the security arena is the US-based Honeywell Security, which has a wide range of security solutions for both public and private enterprises, including burglar alarm systems, video surveillance, access control and home automation systems. “We see a great potential for the continued growth of security in India, especially in the residential area,” says Shane Tedjarati, president, India and China, Honeywell.

Recently, the company launched an electronic security system called Armor 100, which has been specially designed to suit the Indian market conditions. The system is ideally suited for independent houses and multi-storey apartments. The wireless sensors make it easy to install and a graphical user interface (GUI) makes it convenient to use by the elderly and children. It comes with a dust-proof design and a battery backup to survive the long power cuts. According to company officials, Armor 100 is fully tamper-proof and provides 24/7 monitoring.

Deepak Thakur, director (security), South Asia, Honeywell Security & Data Collection says: “The domestic market for residential security has witnessed an evolution over the last few years. As the market matures, demand for these products has spread from metros and mini-metros to tier-II and tier-III towns as well. Armor 100 will be launched in India next month with an aim to make a superior electronic security system available for the Indian middle class consumers.”

Armed forces around the world too are gearing themselves to face the increased threat perception. Recently, Precision Operations Systems, suppliers of security equipment to forces launched an advanced EOD Robot. With the recent terrorist attacks in several parts of the country, EOD Robot is generating a lot of interest among different agencies concerned. The EOD Robot Caliber will essentially be used by various bomb squads to detect and then dispose off bombs/improvised explosive devices (IED).

“The recent terrorist attacks show that there is a need for product like Robot Caliber. This helps in defusing the bombs safely and scientifically at a faster pace. This product is going to create lot of excitement among various security agencies in the country,” says a Precision spokesperson. Interestingly, the robot can be fitted with a semi-automatic weapon and has two audio and video communication systems, which can play a vital role during hostage crisis or negotiations.

The robot also has infra-red cameras for night time operations so that the operator can easily see the surroundings. Among others, high definition cameras are the buzzword in the security market. Salim Idris, general manager, Dedicated Micros (Asia) says, “We are the first to launch Oracle dome camera, designed to be controlled by video servers. There is also Axis Communication from Sweden, which is promoting network video technology for remote monitoring applications.

Prakash Prabhu, country manager, Axis Communications says, “By using open technology standards that enable easy integration and scalability, we offer a full range of network video solutions for surveillance and remote monitoring applications in a broad spectrum of industry segments.”