Security is at the top of mind across India

Rajiv Bhalla
Country Head - Sales & Marketing 
NEC India

How do you see surveillance and security industry in India?

The significance of security and surveillance systems has grown over the years. The recent security and terrorist attacks have significantly influenced the need of security and surveillance. Indian establishments, especially the retail stores and manufacturing facilities, have been the early adopters of surveillance products. However, due to the growing need for security, there is an increase in demand for upgraded surveillance equipment across industries. 

The Indian Security Equipment and Services market, which includes CCTV and other equipments, has been pegged at INR28.5 billion (USD628 Million), with electronics access control estimated at INR7.99 billion (USD179 million) and private security services valued at INR100 billion (USD2,243 million) in 2009 and is expected to grow much more in  the coming future. Two years ago, the US and Europe accounted for 86 per cent of the security camera market. Today, the Asia-Pacific region is also catching up, with India expecting a growth rate of 30-35 per cent.

How much belongs to surveillance cameras?

With the birth of digital cameras, today's surveillance technologies have smarter features such as image tracking, recognition, as well as response and alert systems. Globally, the video surveillance market is expected to grow from $11.5 billion in 2008 to $37.7 billion in 2015 at a CAGR of 20.4 per cent from 2010 to 2015. Cameras, storage, servers, encoders and software are the major components of a video surveillance system. The camera accounted for almost 47 per cent of the total video surveillance market in 2008 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 21.1 per cent from 2010 to 2015. 

How do you differentiate your products from the traditional CCTV cameras? 

Surveillance technologies have evolved to meet the demanding security and monitoring needs of businesses and transportation hubs. NEC's extra-high-sensitivity CCTV and uncooled infrared cameras enable large-scale surveillance and protection of seaports and cargos, whether stored or   in transit.  These video cameras are installed in key coverage locations to monitor   and   record   images   of   port   facilities,   container stockyards   and   ships   at sea   at   any   time    of   day   or   night.  

Linked with NEC's integrated surveillance systems, they automatically detect intruders, illegal marine trade and the access of unregistered vessels by displaying these images on a monitor screen.  NEC can   also   customize   an   optimum solution for operators by adding one-touch image playback, touch-panel controlled zoom, and various other functions. NEC's High-Sensitivity Camera (HSC) is the world's first 3-Chip EM-CCD1 (Electron Multiplying charge-coupled device) colour camera for surveillance, based on 30 years of achievements and experience in the broadcasting scene. 

What is the business potential for vendors? 

The next five years promise to be times of continued changes for the security space in India, with complex and expensive research programmes delivering refinements to the current security systems. Due to increased security concerns, there is enough and more business potential for players in this space. We have also seen the home ministry work towards building vigilance and focussing on creating safe cities in India through the use of intelligent surveillance systems. CCTV cameras have been installed in all important markets, scanning vehicle that enters a city, photographing them and tracing movement. 

Surveillance systems have found usage in bringing about border control and have been installed at high-sensitivity areas like thermal power plants, refineries, sea, airports, railway stations and trains. Even the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has picked up pace in revamping the physical and intelligence infrastructure over the past one year. This uptick in activity is a direct outcome of the events of attack on Mumbai on 26/11/2008 and the serious deficiencies in maritime patrol that showed up in the investigative process that followed the incident. Talking about the commercial/ private sector, post 26/11 Mumbai attacks physical security and safety of the citizens has become a key concern. Hotels across the nation are focussing on security and surveillance and are installing sophisticated security devices like baggage scanners, bollards, and video analytics. 

As we can see, steps have been taken in the right direction to not just adopt but also facilitate the usage of new technology and sophisticated security systems. We foresee technology providers play a huge role in fulfilment of these initiatives both in the public as well as the private sector. 

What are the opportunities for the channel?

This market is largely driven through partnerships with large system integrators. Our go-to-market strategy in public safety business revolves around building partnerships. We are targeting our customers through strategic alliances with large Indian SIs. We have great relations with most of the large SIs in India and engage with potential customers through partners. 

Syeda Beenish
beenish@varindia.com