India still lacks in comprehensive security implementation!

Anand Stanley,
Country Head & MD,
UTC Fire & Security, India

How are most fire and security products manufactured? Are the factories located abroad or in India? 

Electronic Fire and Security products are used for protecting people, property and assets against the risk of fire or unauthorized access to key data or property. The industry has been traditionally dominated by the U.S. and European manufacturers.

The entry-level market for electronic security products in India is largely unorganized, and consumer awareness of the importance of security products is low in India. Most products are from countries like Taiwan, China and countries in the South-East Asia belt. To meet the growing demand for innovative fire and security products in India's infrastructure, commercial buildings and energy industries, UTC Fire & Security (UTCFS) has recently opened the new India Innovation & Engineering Center in Hyderabad. The center, based at Raheja Mind Space, Hyderabad, will be responsible for developing, localizing and integrating fire and security products for customers in India and supporting global product development for UTCFS' worldwide operations.  

What exactly is the electronic security technology? 

Electronic security pertains to leveraging technology in safeguarding assets by preventing un-authorized access to key data or assets. The government has been the traditional consumer of such security services. Corporations rank second in the usage of such devices for their employees and critical data infrastructure and now one can witness its implementation in areas like household security and small mom-and-pop stores.

Of the many products that one sees in the industry, alarms, access controls and CCTVs broadly make up the electronic security industry and are popularly and extensively used. Access controls continue to be used for a larger part by governments and corporations, though its usage in the residential sector is yet to see any significant acceptance, alarms being more popular there.

What kind of products, both for fire and security, are used by the real estate and infrastructure verticals?

In the real estate and infrastructure vertical depending on the size and complexity of the requirement, either a standalone fire panel is used or a networkable panel is used which employs best-in-class technologies for riot control, life safety, emergency response, traffic control, anti-terrorism and crime fighting. From a security standpoint, a comprehensive security policy is drawn and either an analog or a digital solution is deployed.

Fire sprinklers are mounted on the ceilings to extinguish the fire using water as a medium. UTCFS makes a wide range of fire sprinklers with different applications.

Will you please elaborate on intruder alarms, access control and video surveillance systems/cash logistics capabilities?

Perimeter protection is the type of protection that detects someone entering your home or building from outside. Intruder Alarms and Access Control help in preventing unauthorized persons from entering the premises.

Video Surveillance systems observe and record theft or violence by overtly monitoring retail floor space, office buildings, and building perimeters, warehouses, loading docks and parking garages.

Verticals like commercial, industrial and government require integrated security solutions which employ best-in-class technologies to ensure riot control, life safety, emergency response, traffic control, anti-terrorism and crime fighting.

Elaborate on the features of CCTV and its uses?

Advances in CCTV technology are turning the video surveillance into one of the most valuable loss prevention, safety/security and management tools available today. Retailers use CCTVs to monitor shoplifters and dishonest employees, compile recorded evidence against bogus accident claims and monitor merchandising displays in stores that may be hundreds of miles away. Manufacturers, governments, hospitals and universities use CCTVs to identify visitors and employees, monitor hazardous work areas, thwart theft and ensure the security of their premises and parking facilities. 

Does UTCFS face large-scale competition? 

UTC Fire and Security India is one of the few companies offering solutions in electronic security systems which include access control, ID credential issuance and management, alarm monitoring, digital video surveillance and management, real-time digital video content analysis, intelligent audio, integration of biometric technologies, intrusion detection, visitor management and smart card functionality, plus integration with a multitude of third-party systems. UTC Fire & Security thus has a complete suite of products and supporting technology to meet India's security needs.

The fire and security market in India offers a significant opportunity to UTC Fire & Security over the coming decade. The security market is still highly fragmented and immature in nature, and the commitment to security lacks consistent attention. There is also a lack of regulations and enforcement of standards and codes compliance with respect to fire safety and electronic security and surveillance. These challenges need to be addressed in order to provide for comprehensive security and fire safety systems for protecting India's people, property, and critical infrastructure.

For more contact:
beenish@varindia.com