Key points from the sessions

Keynote Address: The ‘Global community of threats’: fear, risk and security as threats to international travel.

Speaker:
Professor Rob Mawby

You will hear some fascinating points about tourists’ views and experiences at being victimised. Perhaps one of the most telling is that it has been commonly believed that when tourists are victimised they are less likely to revist the destination or country. Rob says it depends, on how they were treated. Where they are treated well – including by security of course – then that can be the focal point of their reflection. It once again underlines the importance of security.

Panel Discussion: Security Industry: Key to Productive and Secure India. Why Security Industry and Government are Natural Partners?

Moderator:
Dr. Annurag Batra

Panelists:
Kunwar Vikram Singh, Chairman CAPSI
Rituraj Sinha, Managing Director SIS Group
Rajeev Sharma, G4S
Maj Manjit Rajain, Tenon Group

This a wide ranging discussion on the relationship between security and Government with a special focus on outsourcing. All the speakers underline the importance of the relationship. There is no problem in the Government or the police being the lead, but engaging meaningfully can be a challenge. It is significant that the India Government designated security an essential service. Although current times are a challenge, so it is also true that generally security can boom in good times but rarely suffers as much as others in adversity because it is an essential service. There is some optimism that the value offered by security during Covid-19 will change client views so security is seen as a valued service; the Indian Government is likely to subcontract more security services as a result. Moreover, the period that follows is likely to be a period of high crime. There is an interesting discussion too about Private Military Services which are being considered in India.

Fireside Chat

Moderator:
Dr. Annurag Batra

Discussant:
Capt Raghu Raman

Capt Raghu Raman questions some of the optimism that some of the less big companies will be able to successfully make the transition to whatever the new normal is. Cash flow problems are one part, the costs of employing a more skilled workforce is another, and then there is the restricted pool of labour. Then in corporations the Head of Security, whatever the name, lacks status compared to other professionals (and the pay too); people in this role are not considered equals. He suggests they need to reinvent themselves, and a key focal point is understanding the business.  He reminds us that: in an any company expense on security has a cost in terms of what can be spent elsewhere so there is a need to be realistic; he expects a seismic shift towards technology; there is a need for the security sector to focus on attracting the best talent; and he urges security leaders to focus on being experts in understanding and responding to mental health issues as that will be one of the big challenges for society post Covid-19.

Panel Discussion: Best Practices During Covid-19: Success Stories – A Round Table Discussion

Moderator:
Rajiv Mathur – OSPAs

Panelists:
Ms Rekha Gairola – Boeing 
Col. Inderjit Singh Barara – Vara Technologies 
Maj Rohit Sharma – Sterlite Power 
Mr. Jeetender Singh – Fortis Healthcare 
Mr. Chander Gujral – TechSIS 

Security is taking on the role as advisor to the company and undertaking a broader range of roles than was the case previous to Covid-19. On a general level it is argued that the crisis has challenged security to think differently, this has to be a benefit. It has led to many innovations, sometimes small but which are having positive impacts. The stories are wide and varied as well as interesting. They extend to cyber as well as physical security and how they have worked together. This has raised points of focus, on practices which have become commonplace and need to change (not changing passwords) and gaps in skill sets which need to be addressed by training.

Panel Discussion: Challenges faced by Women in Security and how we can overcome them

Moderator:
Ms Sonal Jindal – Medusa 

Panelists:
Ms Rupal Sinha – Quespro
Lt. Col. Himani Thaplial – Vedanta Power
Ms Anita Arora – Security Solutions (TBC)
Ms Shiela Ponnosamy – Main Guard Intl, Singapore (TBC)

Sonal Jindal notes that behind every successful woman is a tribe of successful women. This is an important discussion about some of the barriers to women entering the security sector, staying and succeeding in it. One of the problems is that over protective nature of men; in one survey the majority of women said they were under tasked, too often deployed below their capabilities. This requires a change of leadership. There is an appeal that women are treated equally in different ways, for example in not having to do more to get recognition or to progress; too often rules are set by those who don’t understand the issues, this is why representation is a part of equality. There is a plea for: sustainable change in policy and attitudes; the development of reference role models; a greater recognition of the unused talent women bring; and a wider promotion of the opportunities for women to women.

Martin Gill
8th August 2020