Despite the global economic meltdown and recession, professional private security companies, which provide guards, security systems and investigators for industrial and personal use, have an important role to provide integrated security solutions to the entire society.
Anil Dhawan, president of the Asian Professional Security Association (APSA) India chapter, in conversation with I4S India editor, Verghese V Joseph, gives a fresh perspective about the industry and the road ahead.
Since inception APSA has propelled itself as the leading professional association in the Asian region. Currently head quartered at New Delhi, APSA is the leading professional association of security practitioners in the Asian region that was formed in Bangkok, Thailand in March 1994.
APSA, with members drawn from 10 major countries, is the largest Asian organisation for professionals responsible for security, including managers and directors of security.
I4S India: As a leading professional association, APSA today is seen as an impetus for furthering the developments in the protection industry. What are your views on the status of the industry today?
AD: The security industry is growing at a rapid pace as compared to other industries that are hit by the economy meltdown and recession. Each sector of the industry has very good business potential, be it guarding, system integrator, security surveys and audits or security products.
I4S India: What do think needs to be done to further the growth of the industry?
It requires good regulation in terms of operating parameters to help in developing good quality security solutions. Electronic security industry looks set for standardization.
I4S India: What are the challenges that the industry is facing today and how does APSA plan to address these challenges?
The industry has grown at a rapid pace although some basic factors to help it sustain the growth have been neglected. These include standardization of electronic security systems, import duties on security products, approval of arm licenses to security companies, etc.
APSA India Chapter is keen to address these issues. It has constituted organization committees drawn from its members to debate and put together a roadmap for tackling these issues.
Each committee is headed by an expert from related areas selected and nominated by its executive council. Most of these issues pertain to the existing policies of the government. The committee would be initiating necessary interaction with the concerned departments.
I4S India: As of now, there’s no legislation pertaining to the security industry. How will the legislation help in bringing about standardisation in the industry?
Although there’s the Private Security Regulation Act (PSARA) and has been passed as a Bill in Parliament, but it is yet to be implemented by most states.
I4S India: Tell us some new trends that you foresee for the security industry.
In the days to come, I do see the future of security business offering integrated security solutions to meet increased threat to the society.
