India is witnessing significant growth in the adoptionof technologies, applications, products, and solutions as the economy continues to strengthen. As a part of the same trend, enterprises are looking beyond traditional physical security methods as the technologies (AI, cloud computing, IoT, and cyber security) and trends continue to evolve. Organizations today want to increase situational awareness to adopt a preventive as well as responsive security stand.
It is no longer possible to rely on manned security and rudimentary surveillance systems.Governments, organizations, and industries are looking to explore new strategies to enhance their security measures, remain vigilant, and identify potential risks early to ensure the safety of employees, customers, assets, and citizens.
Innovations in AI, biometrics, video surveillance, perimeter security technology, and the cloud have transformed how security systems are provisioned, installed, and operated. This is reshaping how India secures its people and assets.
The global Physical Security market size which was valued at USD 91064.65 million in 2022 is expected to expand rapidly, reaching USD 137196.32 million by 2028. Even in India, the physical security market is seeing rapid growth owing to the expansion of smart city technologies and the initiation of vital infrastructure projects such as new airports, seaports, highway development projects, and urban rail systems.
There is also a shift in how security is viewed. Today, physical security functions have become increasingly specialized and critical for business growth. This becomes especially significant as the impact of security incidents increases.
As the physical security and risk landscape continues to evolve, physical security systems demand a greater convergence. These security systems can no longer exist at isolated entities and hope to provide optimal security. Organizations have to redefine and realign their security strategies and develop robust risk mitigation plans and preventive disaster management policies.
The rising digitization of the security infrastructure marks a major shift from physical monitoring of assets.Security products and solutions are not just interconnected but communicate with each other and provide real-time situational awareness to security teams.
Comprehensive, integrated security solutions that combine video surveillance, access control, intrusion detection, and alarms into a unified platform are now becoming essential. Thesesolutions helpimprove situational awareness, enable faster response times, and deliver enhanced operational efficiency.
Given the benefits, it is no surprise to see India’s surveillance and security marketpositioned at $2.5 billion with a 25-30% annual year-on-year growth.
The move from analogue to IP-based security in physical security systems is now accelerating. As threats expand, large-scale digital deployments are growing in highly sensitive areas and geographically dispersed locations. These places need robust, advanced, and intelligent security solutions that offer superior image quality, scalability, remote manageability, real-time alerts, and eliminate false alarms.
Physical security has to become more proactive. Advanced and sophisticated hardware powered by automation and AI are becoming facilitators of accurate detection, reduced false alarms, and prevention of unwanted intrusions.
AI and automation remove errors and automate tasks such as intrusion detection or anomaly recognition. These technologies deliver intelligent, real-time analytics,providing exact information on security breaches and intrusions, and enabling proactive security measures that canprevent incidents before they develop.
With the successful deployment of surveillance and smart city projects in several Indian cities the need for intelligent surveillance systems that provide a 360-degree view of security is also increasing.
The use of AI and automation is also becoming more defined as organizations and governments increase the use of sensors, high-definition cameras, biometrics, OFC, and Lidar-based intrusion detection systems. These solutions are coming together to easily monitor large perimeters or remote locations for intrusions and ensure faster response times.
The Indian government, for example, has launched ‘safe city’ initiatives with its megacity policing programs for city surveillance initiatives. CCTV systems, perimeter security systems, network equipment, data servers for central command control centres, video management systems, and security control centres are thus becoming crucial and pushing IP-based security.
As physical security systems become more interconnected, cybersecurity enters the picture. Security systems, especially for crucial public assets, need to be developed to address the concerns listed in the Indian government CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) advisories regarding vulnerabilities in security systems.
The fast-expanding cybersecurity threat landscape increases the need for secure and robust system integration. This will ensure that deployed solutions adhere to cybersecurity best practices and are regularly updated to mitigate vulnerabilities.
Advanced, intelligent, and robust physical security solutions free up manpower, automate tasks, and enable proactive security measures. These are now vital to protect critical assets and spaces. A strategic, integrated, and technology-driven approach is crucial for ensuring optimal security and higher threat responsiveness in the country.
An invulnerable security ecosystem is a complex web of sophisticated hardware, sensors, devices, and back-end software. Building this ecosystem needs a holistic, integrated approach and makes System Integrators indispensable for designing, implementing, and maintaining these complex systems.
System integrators possess the knowledge and experience to integrate disparate systems into a cohesive unit. They can build a centralized command centre tohelp operators monitor and manage all security functions. They configure the systems optimally to ensure maximum effectiveness of the security ecosystem.
System integrators also ensure that they design and implement security solutions to align with cybersecurity best practices. They implement the most appropriate data security protocols and send out regular updates to mitigate vulnerabilities.
Security needs differ according to the industry, facility size, and potential threats. Experienced system integrators avoid the "one-size-fits-all" approach and work closely with clients to understand their specific security requirements. They design security solutions that address unique needs and recommend the most appropriate technologies and hardware for each situation.
System integrators are also up-to-date on the latest security technologies and their functionalities and become best positioned to suggest the most suitable technologies to meet security requirements. They also have the skills to implement and configure these advanced solutions.
The availability of comprehensive support packages that ensure systems function smoothly and ongoing maintenance to address technical issues and update systems with the latest security patches are other advantages of working with an experienced system integrator. Organizations can further advance their security ecosystem by hiring system integrators who configure systems with robust security protocols to minimize vulnerabilities and recommend and implement cybersecurity measures to protect against potential cyberattacks.
Centralized command centres streamline workflows and improve operational efficiency for security personnel. They also offer peace of mind and greater transparency by delivering accurate insights and ensuring optimal performance of security assets.
There is no homogenous concept of protecting physical spaces and critical infrastructure as industries, threats, and regulatory frameworks continue to change making system integrators essential for security. Ensuring robust physical security thus demands a consolidation of security hardware, software, and the right infrastructure that improves information sharing, increases transparency and responsiveness and consequently makes security airtight.
India's intricate security landscape positions system integrators as the guarantors of powerful and efficient physical security solutions that contribute to the "Make in India" initiative of the Indian government. This reduces the country's dependence on security imports and fosters the growth of a robust domestic security industry that can provide top-notch physical security products and solutions. Talk to us to learn more about the changing physical security landscape.