A kick-ass job option

The security environment in India has remained fragile with events like the discord between religious groups, castes and communities, the menace of Naxalites in many states, an increasing crime rate and brutal terrorist attacks such as the unfortunate incident of 26/11 in Mumbai affecting the global ecosystem over the years.u00a0 Manohar Bidaye, chairman, Zicom Electronic Security Systems Limited, talks to Big Break on security as a career and its scope:u00a0


Manohar Bidaye, chairman, Zicom Electronic Security Systems

Overview
The increased economic growth set off by the reforms in the early 90s has led to the growth and dispersal of industries across large geographical areas, thereby increasing the security challenges.

A culmination of these causes has led to a resurgence of national interest and focus on strengthening security measures, fuelling the growth of the security manpower industry with steps to optimise security by making investments in electronic security.

The total security manpower industry, currently estimated at Rs 10,000 crores, has been growing at 25 per cent per annum. Likewise, an increased consciousness by corporates towards investments in security technology has kept the electronic security industry growing by 25 to 30 per cent.

Employment potential
The private security industry in India has about seven million security guards, which is almost double the strength of formal security forces, representing armed forces, paramilitary troops and reserved troops guarding the nation. There are 20,000 security agents nationally who deploy these security guards. The security sector adds more than 1.5 million to the manpower in the security sector every year and is one of the largest corporate tax payers.

Various career scopes
At the grass root level, students can join the profession of security as frontline security guards with an option of jobs such as patrolling, operating as first responders at times of attack and crisis, carrying out security routines like frisking and baggage screening with X-ray scanners and guarding entry and exit points at a premise.

Then there are opportunities like working as security executives with multi-tasking skills like managing electronic security equipment such as CCTVs, building management systems, etc; working as shift supervisors, dealing with visitors, handling and controlling crowd, managing fire-fighting drills, administering first aid.

The option of pursuing work as a Central Monitoring/BMS operator is also there. At a higher level, aspirants with managerial capability and perspective to handle security management in a business enterprise with greater depth of knowledge in electronic security, information security, risk analysis and disaster management, intelligence analysis, etc could hold designations such as security officers and security managers.

Skills required
It is important for youth to get into the field of security because the job demands high level of physical fitness, strong reflexes, high levels of energy and mental agility to be able to pre-empt and effectively respond to emergencies.

The holistic development of an aspirant's personality through the process of attaining these skills kept aside, the security industry is evergreen with opportunities and offers an enormous potential for career growth. Besides these core qualities, security personnel need to be confident, and be able to take calm decisions in crisis situations. A sharp presence of mind and dynamism are important traits since time is of essence in mitigating disasters.

Strong investigative skills, good networking, sensitivity to human rights and the knowledge of legal aspects of security are important characteristics too. The youth can hone these skills at ASTM, a training academy that offers internationally certified, high quality training programmes to security professionals and students.