More than 250 exhibitors from across the world gathered at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi from December 8 to 10 to showcase their latest innovations for commercial and homeland security. Security is indeed everyone’s business, and the multitude at IFSEC India 2011 made it clear that safety at public place, commercial establishments and even private place has become a matter of great concern for one and all. The threeday event organised by UBM India was inaugurated by Home Minister P. Chidambaram.

Show Highlights

Swedish defence major Saab showcased its remotely operated tower for air traffic management (ATM) and claimed that the leading edge technology would lead to efficiency and increased safety at reduced costs. The remote tower can be used in airports of all sizes. The high resolution digital cameras are mounted in a specially designed heated camera house, which work in all-weather conditions. Besides having the advantage of increased safety because of provision for anomaly warning, tracking functionality and surveillance; the air traffic controllers can have the advantage of switching airports from a nucleus control room.

Saab’s remotely operated towers have already being put to service as a pilot project in two airports in Sweden, namely Sundsvall and Örnsköldsvik. A contract was signed in January 2011 and the towers will be fully operational by the end of 2012. Likewise, the company has also signed a contract with Air Services Australia to remotely control Alice Springs airport from Adelaide, which would also be implemented by 2012. The company is looking ahead to a similar arrangement with the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

“We have total solutions for airports security. And at this expo, we are highlighting on remotely operated towers for ATM. India can benefit only if it jumps into it now. The technology can easily be implemented in the new airports being built. It will not only reduce costs but manpower as well. We are talking to the AAI and as of now have got a mixed response,” said Michael Sahlberg, Director India, Marketing and Sales, Security and Defense Solutions, Saab. The company will look for local partners no sooner they get a green signal from the AAI. “It will be cost beneficial to have local partners,” said Sahlberg. “Saab is here in India to stay.”

Airport Security

Airport security seemed to be of interest to many players and the expo had a host of solutions for the purpose. From airport specific access control system to the integration of access control, intrusion and CCTV to provide one-stop security, Tyco claimed it can provide fully integrated security solution. Through its subsidiary CEM Systems, Tyco has already installed more than 3,500 CEM AC2000 system in Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.

Shyam Networks also had a host of solutions for security in airports, commercial establishments, and all its products are “Made in India”. “We do get some equipment from abroad, but research and development is all done in India,” said Rajesh Rai, Vice President, Homeland Security & Smart Communities, Shyam Networks. He expressed satisfaction at the number of visitors, but said that surprisingly the security expo attracted more of defence personnel then officials from the Home Ministry.

Panoptes showcased three categories of products—security, sensing and safety. The solutions included perimeter intrusion detection system (PIDS), IP CCTV cameras, FGI security pole, low profile ferromagnetic detector for security; envirowatch mote and optellios for sensing; and ferroguard ECS and screener for safety.

CP Plus had its products for enhanced vision and surveillance. The company had a range of products from CCTV cameras and digital video recorders to network video recorders like mobile digital video recorders, compression cards and internet protocol (IP) cameras.

Security Solutions

While Palantir Technologies displayed its software solutions and said it has already provided the solutions to many Central and state law enforcement agencies in the country, but prefers to keep the names of its clients undisclosed. Safran Morpho showcased its biometric security solutions, including its 10-finger live scan device, portable E-ID document checker, multi application fingerprint scanner, OEM fingerprint module, etc. Siemens highlighted its fire security solutions like Sinorix 1230, an environment-friendly solution for fast and safe extinguishing; and building automation technologies. Its Siveillance Vantage Mobile gives command centre staff the ability to easily manage and interact with fleets of mobile resources operating in a large geographical area. FLIR demonstrated its infrared cameras.

Honeywell had a horde of its technical people explaining visitors about the complete security solutions, including the HUS-VMS management server, HUS-NVR storage unit, extension chassis, video encoder, intelligent video decoder, IP camera, etc. The Honeywell universal surveillance (HUS) is a complete end-to-end IP security integration platform which has capability to interface and manage various electronic security systems seamlessly.

General Dynamics showcased its integrated command, control and communications solutions for emergency services.

Several other companies like Aditya, Panasonic, Godrej, etc also participated at the expo. IFSEC India in partnership with the ASSOCHAM organised the Homeland Security India Conference under the theme “War Against Terror: A Challenge to Our Homeland Security”.