Today, physical security extends beyond brick-and-mortar structures to critical infrastructure, transportation hubs, and even data centres. As urbanization, industrialization, smart infrastructure, and smart cities proliferate, strong and impenetrable security systems stand as safeguards of physical assets, personnel, and information from potential risks. As such, it is no surprise to see India’s physical security market showing an upward trajectory.
As India shines, staying on top of the ever-evolving physical security threats emerges as a serious concern for Indian businesses. As technology evolves, so does the threat landscape. As such, building the right physical barriers complemented with the right technologies that help companies gain a real-time, periscopic aerial overview of the dynamic threat landscape is no longer optional.
These coincide with the need to move to ‘zero security incident’ status within organizations. This is compelling CSOs and CISOs to look for comprehensive security systems that provide a 360-degree view of the entire physical security ecosystem.
Let’s examine some of the security challenges of specific sectors in India:
Manufacturing and critical infrastructure industries have grown in sophistication scale. Today, such establishments cover large physical spaces. Power plants, communication networks, and other critical infrastructure can also be vulnerable to sabotage in the absence of robust physical security systems. Manning these facilities using video surveillance alone is inadequate as threat actors become increasingly sophisticated. Dated, manual security approachesare reactive and hence, ineffective in preventing unauthorized access.
Apart from preventing unauthorized access, physical security systems mustalso protect against accidents or incidents like fire, equipment failure etc, that can impact personnel and property. Protection against fire and equipment failure or malfunction, ensuring security protocols adherence etc. are hard with manual methods. This is especially true for large infrastructure like buildings, tunnels, warehouses, parking structures, and storage or transportation of goods.
Solutions like advanced linear heat detection technology, Fibre Optic Linear Heat Detection (LHD) work within +/- 1% accuracy, have near-zero false alarms and make for effective protection against fire hazards. Early warning heat signals with a spatial resolution of less than one meter enable quick activation of countermeasures and save businesses time and money.
Robust video surveillance and biometrics make security adherence simpler and more effective in these challenging environments.
Airports and transportation hubs also need robust physical security to uphold passenger safety. In a recent incident,an intruder entered New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) airfield by scaling the perimeter wall of the airport and reaching the runway.
Preventing unauthorized access is one of the most pressing challenges of these large infrastructures. This industry has to secure passenger authentication and identification securely and quickly, detect equipment and baggage are meet incredibly demanding criteria concerning security, safety, communications, and building automation.
Physical security systems that enable intelligent surveillance, deliver accurate data, and provide analytics, along with the ability to reach out to a quick response team are critical to provide a definitive view of all operations.
Military installations and defence contractors require the highest level of security. Navigating treacherous terrains and weather with assurance needslayered security solutions that combine advanced access control, intrusion detection, and video surveillance systems. These need to be complemented with features like night vision and thermal imaging for comprehensive defence especially as terrorist activities become more sophisticated and intelligent.
Manning large perimeters and sensitive facilities using static security systems is no longer enough to develop a proactive security stand. Businesses must move from security reactivity to active detection and deterrence to protect sensitive perimeters confidently.
Retail spaces like large-scale malls and hypermarkets that cover large spaces and encounter heavy footfalls are also proliferating across the country. Large-scale housing projects and cyber-city projects are also expanding.
These spaces need to be highly secure and ensure that only authorized personnel people have access. It is also essential to have strong perimeter security and access control systems that provide both spatial location and depth information. Dated and traditional systems cannot identify, classify, and track moving objects and detect a broad range of traffic patterns, including lingering, single file, side-by-side, bi-directional, tailgating, and more.
Modern and advanced security systems need to do a lot heavier lifting and ensure that security is powerful and yet, unobtrusive.
The physical security market in India is trending upward. Reports show that the country’s Perimeter Intrusion Detection and Prevention Market is projected to double in size between 2024 and 2032.
Automation-related technical advancements have accelerated the use of cutting-edge tech to develop a strong security posture. Intelligent perimeter detection systems, drones, OFC and LiDAR technology, drones, etc. coupled with AI are becoming increasingly critical as criminal activities, planned crimes, security breaches, and terrorist operations increase.
Businesses now need early warning devices and greater situational awareness to secure their physical business infrastructure, assets, and workforce. Security solutions need to utilize advanced technologies to provide intelligent alerts (predictive and real-time) across verticals, scenarios, and extreme environmental conditions. These systems also reduce false alarms, filter nuisances, and unimportant events. They should be impervious to dirt, dust, solvent vapours, radioactivity, extreme temperature changes, and explosive environments.
As security technologies evolve, it can be hard to choose the right security system. Since basic alarm systems no longer remain competent to navigate today’s complex infrastructures, comprehensive and integrated security systems become the need of the hour.
Tailoring security approaches and systems to meet the exact business need is crucial for strong physical security. However, with so many players in the market, how can businesses choose the right fit?
Domain and technical expertise is a crucial factor when selecting a security solutions provider. Strong technical knowledge needs to be complimented with stronger domain expertise to build comprehensive and impenetrable defences. The needs of a defence or large industrial unit, for example, will be quite different from those of a smart city. High-crime areas need more robust measures. Valuable assets have different security requirements.
A strong physical security solution provider with technical and domain expertise can conduct a thorough security assessment of the business and build security solutions tailored to the space.
Static video surveillance and other traditional methods of driving physical security can no longer meet growing threats. Greater situational awareness, coupled with real-time insights, advanced access control systems, sophisticated perimeter protection and intrusion detection technologies, drone solutions, RTTR, pipeline, and leak detection systems are paramount to prevent accidents and security breaches.
Businesses need security solution providers who can create strong security systems using the most advanced and cutting-edge technology and utilize a strategic approach to ensure that businesses gain a 360-degree view of their security.
Businesses need security solution partners who can build modern and scalable security systems. However, these systems need to be seamlessly integrated to trigger timely alarms and deter unauthorized access.
The security solution also must be future-ready and scalable to meet the growing needs of the business. Strong security solution providers consider the future needs of the business, employ cutting-edge technology, and build an architecture that scales according to business needs.
A robust physical security system is just one piece of the puzzle. A security partner must be customer-centric and ensure timely deliveries even in the toughest environments. Capabilities to leverage advanced security technologies and build a multi-layered defence system, cost-effectively, are crucial capabilities to look for.
Security experts bring a strategic advantage to every project if they stay updated on the latest tools, technology, and challenges and invest heavily in training, research, and development. A partner with a commitment towards these aspects will never be wanting for resources and the right skills to build powerful and proactive defence mechanisms that detect, deter, and protect.
The security partner must display a commitment to delivering robust, cost-effective solutions and also, conduct periodic assessments to identify and address emerging vulnerabilities. Partnering with a reputable security solution provider like Athena Security enables businesses to develop comprehensive security strategies that safeguard assets, ensure employee safety, and elevate their physical security posture.