IISSM's Annual International Seminar In The New Millenium

"The Seminar could not have been organised at a better time when the global security scenario is in disarray," thus had observed Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, Union Minister for H.R.D., Science and Technology and Ocean Development, while inaugurating the XIth annual International Seminar of the International Institute of Security and Safety Management, at Taj Bengal Hotel, Kolkata, on December 15, 2001. Calling courses in security and management the need of the hour, Dr. Joshi further suggested that the IISSM could initiate Degree or Post Graduate Diploma Courses in Security and Safety Management in collaboration with Universities and he assured that the Centre would provide necessary support in this direction. He also urged upon manufacturers to produce cost effective security equipment as even the smallest units of our society must use technology for its protection in this century of information warfare. Earlier, in his welcome address, Mr. K.N. Prasad, Chairman of IISSM, had observed, "With terrorism making our future unpredictable, we have to extend the frontiers of our knowledge in the professional technological and intellectual spheres and also in the thrust areas." Modernisation of our security system was no longer optional and would need constant review and updating, he had added.

Thus had begun the three-day long XIth annual International Seminar of the IISSM whose main theme was: "Industrial Security: Its Expanding Role and the Need for Systems Integration". Keeping in view the over-all security scenario, both in the international field and in India, the scheduled Course Design of the Seminar was appropriately adjusted to accommodate a topical presentation on "11th September - Its Impact on Corporate Security" by an eminent U.S. Security Consultant who had been present in New York on the day of the occurrence of the infamous attack on W.T.C. Towers in that city. Further thrust on terrorist problems was placed in three more terrorism-related presentations with special emphasis on chemical and biochemical sabotage and counter measures for commercial and institutional facilities.

Among other highlights of the Seminar were two highly interesting interactive sessions - one with prominent business executives and the other with three delegate experts on banking security. The business executives left no one in doubt that the business community had now realised the vital role of private security in raising the level of productivity through loss prevention, preventing commercial espionage and protecting them from kidnapping for ransom. They were, however, of the firm opinion that substandard security agencies must be eliminated. In return, they offered unreserved support for continuous review of the quality of security systems. The thrust of the interactive session on banking security was ensuring security of banks by integrated systems and with elaborate training methodology.

With keeping in line with the present-day security scenario, there was a highly valuable presentation on I.T. Security by M/s. Micro Soft Corporation (India) Private Limited, the Seminar provided a good and competitive insight into the expanding role of private security industry in Taiwan, South Africa and Mauritius. The intervention on behalf of the Industrial Vocational Training Board (IVTB) of Mauritius was rather interesting. The business proceedings were rounded up with an exposure to the application of science and technology in industrial security - a must for the survival of security professionals. The open feedback session that followed thereafter, witnessed free and frank exchange of views as to how to achieve greater professionalism and make the Seminar more and more purposeful. The written feedback reports received later were rather appreciative of the Seminar in all aspects and many hoped to join the programme next year as well.

Even though the participation in the Seminar was somewhat adversely affected due to the uncertainty in the over-all security scenario, about 100 delegates, observers and faculties came from different countries including Australia, USA, South Africa, Mauritius, Hong Kong, Taiwan and of course form different parts of India. The delegates came from government institutions, private and public sector industries besides private security agencies.

The closing session of the Seminar on December 17, 2001, generated particular interest because of the Awards-giving ceremony, during which apart from the usual annual awards for: "Security Agency of the Year", "Security Practitioner of the Year", "Security Investigator of the Year", "Security Operations Manager of the Year", "Security Guard of the Year", and "Safety Man of the Year", Special Felicitation Awards for Veterans were awarded to eight senior professionals from different countries.

The post-conference tour this year took some delegates to the serene city Shantiniketan of Tagore as also to the hill-tops of Darjeeling. Daily sight-seeing for spouses, accompanied by buying spree of local specialities, continued to remain a hallmark of IISSM Seminars. However, the high quality of the presentations by eminent faculties and interactive floor participation did not provide the delegates much of an opportunity to go round the 'City of Joy'.

The Board of Governors, who had met during the course of the Seminar, have decided that the XIIth annual International Seminar of the IISSM will also be held in India. The exact venue and dates will be announced later.

Annual Professional Awards

As in previous years, one of the highlights of IISSM-2001, was the usual competition for IISSM's Annual Professional Awards. The winner work

• Security Agency of the Year 2001.
  Exservicemen Multipurpose Security Services ( India) Pvt. Ltd.
• Security Practitioner of the Year 2001
  Col. G S Chhatwal
• Private Investigator of the Year 2001.
  Mr. J S Gotmare
• Security Operations Manager of the Year 2001.
  Mr. Abual S Hakeem
• Security Guard of the Year 2001.
  Sri Subh Narain Pathak
• Safety Man of the Year 2001.
  Sri Raj Kumar Trivedi

Annual Report '00-'01