MUMBAI, INDIA: Post the recent Mumbai terror attack, PRS Oberoi, chairman of the Oberoi Group said: Unfortunately, hospitality and security don't go well together. Well, strict security checks like the ones we see now wouldve surely drawn criticism but security measures are seen as a necessity nowand adhered to patiently. Leading hotel chains in India are now re-strategizing their security arrangements and are investing in installing metal detectors and baggage scanners. Ratan Tata has even gone to the extent of announcing plans to improve their own anti-terror and security arrangements.

The Changing Picture
As Dhiraj Wali, head of security, safety and communications systems business, Bosch, says, Post 26/11 there is a surge in demand for video surveillance systems from hotels and corporates alike. Hotels are looking at augmenting their security, both physical as well as electronic. Physical security constitutes well-trained guards, sniffer dogs, explosive detectors, etc. For electronic security, hotels are looking for integrated security system, wherein various security gadgets like access control system, CCTV, perimeter protection, etc, can communicate with each other.

The Indian security market has never had it so good. While most sensitive establishments like petrochemical refineries, nuclear power stations and airports have always maintained a high level of security; the attacks on two leading hotel chains has brought back the focus on perceived less secure establishments like these. Earlier people perceived security as cost incurred but now its more to do with investment, says Niju V, deputy director for electronics and security systems, Frost & Sullivan.

According to the Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India, with increased focus on security measures Indias private security business will grow up to Rs 500 bn by 2012 from the current Rs 220 bn.

Initially, man guarding was more popular in India as technology was not well-equipped and the trust worthiness factor worked with watch men or security guards. With MNCs coming to India and infrastructure developing in metro and non-metro cities, the demand for electronic security is rising and is expected to grow, says Deepak Thakur, director South Asia, Honeywell Security. Thakur further classifies the surveillance market in three broad categoriesman guarding, electromechanical device (locks, detectors), and electronic security products.

An Integrated Solution
Post the Mumbai attacks, the two categories that have picked up in demand include closed circuit television cameras (CCTVs) and access control systems.

In an integrated security system, CCTV becomes the most important component since it makes other electronic security gadgets more effective. In normal scenarios an access control system will just flash an alarm message on access control panel if someone flashes a wrong card or tries to gain access to the area where he/she is not authorized; whereas in an integrated security system with CCTV, the operator will automatically get a video pop-up on the screen, thus helping the operator to verify who is trying to seek unauthorized entry. Also, this gets recorded for future references.

Traditionally, hotels and airports have been heavy users of CCTV. In 2008, the CCTV market in India was worth Rs 550 crore with the market dominated by analog systems. For sometime now the focus is shifting toward adoption of digital systems, says Viju. He goes on to add that in the next 3-4 years this market would see a growth of 25-30% y-o-y.

Apart from the hospitality sector, government establishments too are gearing up to install video surveillance systems at public places and sensitive government buildings. Demand in sectors like transportation (particularly for city surveillance, traffic management system) has also gone up in the recent past.