Terror-harried B'lore turns to tech for security

Terror-harried B'lore turns to tech for security
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: When the going gets tough in Silicon Plateau, people in this City of 3 lakh software code writers turn to technology for solutions.

One week after the terror strike on the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) that claimed the life of a mathematics professor - a knowledge worker of the highest order - IT firms, educational institutions, scientific establishments and BPOs here are snapping up the latest hi-tech security equipment that money can buy.

Suddenly, security equipment providers find themselves in great demand with clients knocking on their doors for innovative security arrangements to protect their employees and establishments.

“There definitely is an increase in the sale of security equipment. We have received a number of enquiries from companies for security equipment.

Several firms which were once dragging their feet on the security front, are now installing such equipment, and many are upgrading their existing arrangements,'' Piyush Rungta, partner at Urrano India Corporation, told this this website's newspaper.

“The demand for metal detectors has gone up with companies seeking to instal them at entry and exit points. Digital video recorders (DVR) are also in demand. Companies are also maintaining a database of visitors which they could sift through later if unexpected incidents occur,'' he said.

“We are also providing security upgradation solutions to PVR Cinema at The Forum shopping mall. Upgradation will begin soon. A number of education institutions have also contacted us for the installation of security equipment,'' Rugta added.

Badari Prasad, proprietor of Chitra CATV Systems, said that the number of call enquiries has gone up after the IISc attack.

“On a comparative basis, we have received a higher number of enquiries, though we have been catering to our clients for the last 16 years. But new clients are walking in after the recent attack,'' he said.

“Bio-metric devices which can be used to detect fingerprints and scan eyes are in demand. Vehicles carrying company employees and officers will soon be upgraded with Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment.

“There has been a tremendous improvement in security services. In the next couple of months, GPS will be installed in many vehicles,'' he added.

Apart from offices, security gizmos for households are also in high demand. “These devices include closed circuit (CC) television cameras, two-way communication devices, burglar alarms and remote alarm systems,'' Prasad added.

Shopping List for Security

* Metal detectors at entry and exit points

* Digital video recorders

* Database of visitors

* Bio-metric identification devices that scan fingerprints, eyes

* Global Positioning System (GPS) on vehicles

* For households: Closed circuit (CC) television cameras, two-way communication devices, burglar alarms, and remote alarm systems