Dear Reader
January has been a rather eventful month!
The Intersec Show in Dubai this year was better than expected. In fact, I eagerly look forward to visiting this high-quality exhibition every year, as it is one International Security, Fire and Safety expo that showcases the newest technologies and the best-in-class products all under one roof. It’s a treat to experience the seriousness and the professionalism of the buyers who come there looking for the most innovative solutions, latest products and technologies to meet their protection requirements. It is also perhaps the singular reason for global manufacturers to display their best at this show.
The other significant thing at Intersec is the close cooperation that exists between the Police, Fire, Disaster Management and Rescue authorities with the private protection industry in the UAE. The authorities even enthusiastically demonstrate their skills and showcase the technologies and equipment that they use in discharging their law enforcement, protection and disaster recovery duties towards the citizens.
Back home, there were fast paced developments taking place as the Indian economy continues to change colour from ‘black’ to ‘white’ with standardisation setting in. It is expected that the booming but highly competitive CCTV market will see a consolidation amongst a few prominent brands. We may even see a Make-in-India initiative take off with the intent of tapping into the government and the smart city surveillance markets. An established global brand, that has been present in India for many years is changing its strategy and local partner to address the high-end integrated systems market.
Some issues such as Assembly Elections, Finance Budget 2017, US President Donald Trump and ‘Jallikattu’ have been at the top of the minds of the Indian citizens. While the Assembly elections are bound to determine the political outcome in the country in the next few years, the other issues are going to affect the country in many other ways.
CSOs and other security staff have been extremely busy safeguarding their employees during the protests opposing the ban on a 2000-year-old sport – ‘Jallikattu’. Surprisingly, Chennai witnessed active participation from educational institutions and IT parks. The tech community which is usually considered aloof from participation in such social uprisings and issues, without any inhibitions participated in these protests standing alongside other protesters who have been speaking against PETA which has put up a legal battle for the ban. In all this, India’s image as a safe investment destination took a hit as overseas investors, who obviously did not understand the sentiments of the local people perceived the security situation to be volatile. Their belief was supported by travel advisories issued by MNCs to their employees and visitors, asking them to keep away from the southern Indian states.
Donald Trump’s ‘Buy American – Hire American’ campaign, the clamp down on the H-1B visas and raising the minimum salaries of workers holding such visas has put the IT industry in India on a seriously uncertain future, it remains to be seen how his policies regarding outsourcing and production will affect the movement of the technology trade in the country. Banning travellers from seven predominantly Muslim nations to the United States has changed the whole game for ISIS, which has been trying for years to convince Muslims around the world that the West — and especially the United States — is at war with Islam. President Donald Trump’s new executive order on immigration will make it much easier for it to make its case now. Times sure are uncertain, and uncertainty results in the building of anxiety, that could lead to situations where security and wellbeing get constantly challenged. Let’s keep our fingers crossed!
Till we meet next month, Cheers and Happy Reading.
Cheers and happy reading.
G B Singh
Email: editor@securitytoday.in
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