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James Moore is the Managing Editor of IFSEC Insider, the leading online publication for security and fire news in the industry.James writes, commissions, edits and produces content for IFSEC Insider, including articles, breaking news stories and exclusive industry reports. He liaises and speaks with leading industry figures, vendors and associations to ensure security and fire professionals remain abreast of all the latest developments in the sector.
IFSEC Insider hears from Pankaj Jain, Senior Group Director & Digital Head, Informa Markets in India, to find out more about how key trends, such as digitisation and evolving technologies, are impacting security professionals in the region.
IFSEC Insider (II): Hi Pankaj, can you introduce yourself and your background in the sector?
Pankaj Jain (PJ): Informa Markets in India annually organises IFSEC India, South Asia’s largest electronic, industrial and homeland security show, at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, since 2007. The 16th edition of IFSEC India Expo will be held from 7–9 December 2023 in Hall 5, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
As part of the world’s leading portfolio of security and fire safety events, IFSEC India is South Asia’s pre-eminent authority on security products and solutions. It is the Indian subsidiary of the UK-based and original IFSEC, part of the Informa Markets portfolio of events. As an Indian entity, we provide diverse industries in the country with B2B platforms, enabling trade.
II: What are the top three trends you’re seeing in the security sector in India?
PJ: With the Indian economy growing at a healthy rate, the security challenges to industrial and national infrastructure and assets are growing as well. To alleviate these challenges, the relevance of technological advancements in security products and solutions can’t be emphasised enough.
Accordingly, we see tremendous traction in video surveillance products, wherein more intelligent and digitally connected cameras are in vogue, which proactively alert the security officer about any impending threat.
Access control technologies are also becoming more advanced and intelligent via more intelligent software, biometrics and face recognition features that make it impossible for imposters to penetrate an organisation’s premises.
Another key trend is the digitalisation of the entire security infrastructure which marks a major shift from physical monitoring of assets.
A vast majority of security products and solutions deployed within organisations are not just interconnected, but also talk to each other in real time, and therefore help alert security officers to live events.
II: What’s the biggest challenge security professionals are facing in India?
PJ: With growing adoption of technology in the security industry, security professionals need to enhance their understanding of technology to keep pace with the times and to aid their professional growth.
The physical and digital security lines are blurring fast, and the time is not too far when the role of the CSO will closely reflect that of a CISO.
Accordingly, we see a lot of security courses being designed which focus on technology. Organisations of repute are increasingly encouraging their security professionals to learn new security technologies and visit security expos where a complete demonstration of the latest technologies can be seen in action.
II: How has security technology evolved in the past five years? What technology are security professionals most interested in do you think?
PJ: While the incorporation of technologies such as AI, Deep Learning, and others in the security domain goes back by more than a decade, the increased focus on terrorism and cyber security threats have accelerated their adoption as part of their organisational security strategy.
IFSEC India takes place between 7-9 December in New Delhi
Security professionals are increasingly interested in understanding the integration of AI as part of video surveillance, access control, perimeter security, and the like. Similarly, we see biometrics such as facial recognition and iris recognition getting more advanced and accurate in identifying the right visitor.
Such technologies not only make the job of security professionals easier but also help them focus on their core requirement, which is ‘zero security incident’ within their organisations.
II: And finally, can you tell us more about what to expect from IFSEC India this year?
PJ: In keeping with its legacy, the 16th edition of IFSEC India Expo will provide a 360-degree offering to security professionals in understanding the latest technologies in industrial, electronic and homeland security.
The top solutions providers will all be on show. Premier Plus Partners include: CP Plus, Dahua, Hikvision, Prama, Magtech, Realtime, Tiandy, Timewatch, Trueview, ZKTeco, while Premier Partners include: Bioroles, eSSL, Godrej, Syrotech, Thinkwill, TVT and XYZ Digital.
They will showcase their latest technologies such as video surveillance, biometrics & RFID, access control, AI, IoT, Safe Cities, information security, GPS systems, video analytics, and intelligent building systems, and provide end-to-end demo of security solutions in action as part of their stands.
As a special attraction we have an exclusive pavilion from UK Defence and Security Exports wherein top security solution providers from the UK will showcase their latest solutions to the South Asian industry.
The two-day conference will provide deeper insights on security strategies, followed by a closer focus on the Indian security sector, the adoption of latest technologies as part of security solutions, travel security, information security, security of digital assets, Safe Cities and the ‘Make in India’ mission.
The 6th edition of IFSEC India Awards, which will be held at the venue on 7 Dec, will help security professionals across India to showcase the work done by their teams in implementing the best of technology within their organisations.
The expo is supported by industry associations such as APSA, ASIS New Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad Chapters, CAPSI, ELCINA, ESAI, OSAC New Delhi and Chennai Chapters, IISSM, GACS, Global UAV Federation – India Chapter and Mitkat Advisory.
Overall, it’s the biggest opportunity in the entire South Asian region to network among the key security stakeholders in government and the private industry, as well as to learn about the latest in security technologies.
“The physical and digital security lines are blurring fast” – Key trends in the Indian security market ahead of IFSEC IndiaWe hear from the IFSEC India team about the key trends impacting security professionals in India and the wider region.
James Moore
IFSEC Insider | Security and Fire News and Resources
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