Security Watch India concludes 8th annual conference and exhibition

Security Watch India, a non-partisan, not-for-profit organisation addressed the issues and challenges faced by the security sector in India in a two day conference in New Delhi. The event saw discussions with government officials and presented awards for innovations in the sector.

Functioning in the homeland security sector, a not-for-profit organisation, Security Watch India (SWI) organised its 8th edition annual conference and exhibition on “Securing India 2016” recently in the Indian capital New Delhi.

The conference and exhibition, which saw a footfall of many VIPs, was inaugurated by Gen JJ Singh, former Chief of Army Staff and Shri Kunwar Vikram Singh, Chairman, Central Association of Private Security Industry (CAPSI) and Chairman Security Sector Skill Development Council.

At the annual conference, the SWI also hosted the Innovation and Excellence Awards for Security and Policing 2016. This award honours the law enforcement organisations and projects/initiatives which were exemplary and innovative in their respective domain of internal security.

People or organisations who displayed innovative use of Information and Communication technology for public safety and security were in the category for the awards besides organisations displaying innovative use of the technology for women safety. Innovative technology uses in cyber security, traffic management, city surveillance were other categories.  Awards were also given out for Excellence in Public Awareness for Safety and Security, Excellence in Critical Infrastructure Protection and Excellence in Community Policing Initiatives.

The two day event also saw the participation of top government and official representatives.  Meenakshi Lekhi, spokesperson from the Indian political party, BJP, leading the coalition presently in power in India, addressed the audience. She stressed upon the importance of state police units in protecting our borders.

“While fighting insurgency in borders, the local civilian population needs to be respected for them to understand the difference between a terrorist and the forces that are there to protect them,” she said.

Gopal Pillai, Indian Administrative Service (IAS, Retired), Former Union Home and Commerce Secretary, Government of India, spoke in his address on the importance of Community Policing in Police Reforms. He highlighted the fact that the outreach of community is low and there should be more initiative by the community to bring changes in reforms by the Police.

The conference which saw the participation from various senior police officers from Indian states such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Nagaland, Telengana, discussed various aspects of smart policing and smart security in India.

Key decision makers and officials from government ministries, armed forces, central and state police force discussed challenges faced in securing Indian borders, global benchmarks in managing and guarding borders, strengthening border security through integrated systems, critical infrastructure protection as a key component of national security, challenges faced by private security agencies of India, cyber-security for critical infrastructures and latest technological developments.