IISSM, 2003: Another Landmark in Security Profession

"Industrial Security has indeed become a mainline function and loss prevention is an essential function of Industrial Security", so observed the President and Director General of IISSM in his introductory address to the XIIIth Annual International Seminar of the International Institute of Security and Safety Management held at Hall No.7, Pragati Maidan, ITPO, New Delhi-110001 on December 6-9, 2003. Earlier, welcoming the delegates, the Executive President and CEO, IISSM, had appealed to all to take security to the ground and spread the message of security all around. "Our aim must be to involve the general public in preventive security measures which are vital for the nation," he said. Thus began the 4-day long highly interactive Seminar on "Industrial Security: Challenge of Changes". The theme being what it was, the Seminar covered subjects like security of cultural property, need for mastering soft skills, building partnership in security, economics of security, business espionage and the challenges before private security in digital era. There were also specialised discussions on hotel security, information security and threats before the shipping industry.

The Seminar was held in Delhi coinciding with the dates of the International Exhibition on Security, Safety and Fire organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) at Pragati Maidan. With the help of the ITPO authorities, a visit to the above Exhibition was structured suitably. That provided the delegates an excellent exposure to the state-of-the-art technology displayed in the Exhibition. The panel discussion on technology that followed was a unique feature of the Seminar. The delegates had the benefit of closely interacting with representatives from manufacturers, dealers and end-users of security-related equipment. The session had indeed generated considerable interest and was enjoyed by every one. The session on security systems in neighbouring countries like Mauritius, Singapore and Indonesia added an excellent international flavour to the proceedings. The two presentations on IT security were both educative and thought-provoking. The delegates also took keen interest in risk auditing highlighted towards the end of the Seminar.

The high profile of the participants representing different areas including security agencies of the government, public and private sector industries, banks, private security agencies, scientific institutions and academics was a distinct feature of this year's Seminar. It was a matter of great satisfaction that even with a very tight time-schedule and notwithstanding some logistical problems, the delegates continued to take active part till the end. Both in their feedback reports and in the open feedback session, the vast majority of the participants expressed that they had enriched themselves considerably from the deliberations of the Seminar. Some highly interesting and constructive suggestions were received.

There was stiff competition for the Annual Awards of the IISSM in some of the categories. The Awards Committee found suitable candidates only for three categories and the winners were:

• Security Agency of the Year 2003- Vision Security Group, India.
• Security Practitioner of the Year 2003 - Mr. Terlok Nath, Singapore.
• Security Operations Manager 2003 - Mr. Atanu Sinha, India.

The IISSM felicitated the following five senior security practitioners by conferring the prestigious "Veterans Awards" on them:

• Mr. Jasbir Wasu, India.
• Ms. Rosalin Handayani, Indonesia.
• Mr. B.G. Deopujari, India.
• Mr. R. Swaminathan, India.
• Mr. Kerran Campbell, Dubai.

Apart from professional input, the IISSM Seminars are also occasions for socialising among security practitioners coming from different countries. The gala dinner on December 7, 2003, therefore, afforded ample opportunities for most intimate and informal exchange of views between professionals and professionals and between friends and friends of friends. The musical function and the presence of "better-halves" had added colour to the evening.

As usual, the Seminar ended on a high note with the presence of eminent personalities in the closing session. Padmabhusan Dr. R. A. Mashelkar, FRS, Director General, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), was the chief guest on this occasion while the guest of honour was Prof. Shishir Dube, the Director of IIT Kharagpur. While Prof. Dube laid emphasis on the special need for campus security, Dr. Mashelkar highlighted the importance and scope for security professionals in the first expanding industrial potential of the country, particularly in the wake of globalisation. "With technology galloping away, it cannot but have serious impact on industrial security," he observed. With the pre-eminence of knowledge explosion, a paradigm shift was noticed in every walk of human activity. He, therefore, highly appreciated the theme of this year's Seminar, "Industrial Security: Challenge of Changes", and congratulated the IISSM for having thought of it and spending time on discussing such an important issue.

While thanking all for making the XIIIth Annual International Seminar of IISSM a grand success, the President and DG of IISSM invited all to join the next annual International Seminar of the IISSM at Hyderabad in 2004, as decided by the Board of Governors of the IISSM. Eyes are, therefore, now set on the road to Hyderabad.

IISSM 2003: What They Said

Annual Report '02-'03