Private Security - How Essential is this service?

"Jaagte Raho" is a cliché that Bollywood movies have put into our brains regarding how or what a security guard aka watchman does. So does it not bother you when our Prime Minister, Shri. Narendra Damodardas Modi categorizes the same Watchman aka Chowkidar as a part of the elite group of essential services???

So what does a watchman do which is so essential?

All he does is beat his stick & make noises, pretty soon robots shall replace this kind & the need for such manpower will become zero.

Well having been a part of this industry for the past 11+ years makes me an expert to answer such queries. In fact being a part of an organization which manages around 2500 security personnel gives me the required accreditation too.

Firstly, the common misconception that a Security Guard is a watchman needs to be cleared. Amongst the many roles & responsibilities that a security personnel has one of his roles is "Watch & Ward Duty", the point is it ain't his only responsibility.

A typical Security personnel duties include protecting people, places and property from potential threats. Although their job description varies, depending on the specific work setting, security guard duties focus primarily on preventing crime. A vigilant security force deters criminals who are intent on committing theft, vandalism, sabotage, cyber attacks, physical violence or terrorism. Without the proactive work of security guards, law enforcement would be overwhelmed, as it reacts to crimes that otherwise would likely have been prevented.

But other than this they have additional roles too.

Have you ever thought who gives Primary First Aid in a plethora of small MSME's spread across the nation?

Do you think all of them have Fire Trained Marshalls?

Do you think they all have manpower who understands how the Effluent is discharged?

Do you think all of them have punching machines enabled at their Gates to keep a check on the attendance of employees?

Do you think all of them have receptionist speaking in crisp English as you enter their office welcoming you warmly & guiding you?

The answer is a resounding No. It the humble "Chowkidar" who does all this instead.

The Security Personnel of today do a plethora of other activities like being a Customer Service Rep. in an IT company or a corporate office setup. Being a Time Officer in manufacturing companies, being a CCTV operator, being a HSE executive, being a Fire & First Aid officer.

A feeling may have crept into your minds now, how can an uneducated security guard do all this? Well let me break the mirage that has surrounded your minds, the basic qualifications for a security guard today are defined under Private Security Amendment & Regulation Act (2005).

They are as follows,

A Private Security Personnel needs to be

a)is a citizen of India or a citizen of such other country as the Central Govt. may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify;

b)has completed eighteen years of age but has not attained the age of sixty-five years;

c)satisfied the agency about his character and antecedents in such manner as may be prescribed;

d)has completed the prescribed security training successfully;

e)fulfill such physical standards as may be prescribed;

f)satisfy such other conditions as may be prescribed. 

(g) No person who has been convicted by a competent court or who has been dismissed or removed on grounds of misconduct, or moral turpitude while serving in any of the armed forces of the Union, State Police Organization, Central or State Governments or in any private security agency shall be employed or engaged as per private security guard or a supervisor.

(h) Every private security agency may, while employing a person as a private security guard, give performance to a person who has served as a member in one or more of the following, namely:

i. Army

ii. Navy

iii. Air forces

iv. any other armed forces of the Union

v. Police

vi. Home Guards

So your private security personnel is a part of a Trained force. In fact the private security sector has emerged as a major industry by virtue of employment of large manpower, both skilled and unskilled, to meet the burgeoning demand of the corporate sector. With national security assuming greater criticality and lower police to people ratio in the country, private security industry, with large manpower, can act as extended arms of law enforcement agencies. This will help relieve police forces from non-critical duties to focus on core areas. 

Indian Private Security Industry (PSI) has also expanded at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of around 20% over the last decade by adding new players in the field as well as scaling their operational capabilities.

In fact, Private Security in India is the 2nd largest sector, after agriculture, in terms of employment, with close to 09 million employees. Traditionally, it has been an unorganized sector with around 40% of the market share being with the organized players. However, the industry is progressing towards being organized as the consumer demand for security is gradually evolving from a mere guard to a professional and skilled guard, trained for movement of men and material, fire incidents, medical exigencies, etc.

Workforce size of PSI is more than the combined strength of the Army, Navy, Air force and Police put together. With 8.9 million security guards and 1.9 million police officers, India has 05 times as many private security guards than police officers. While the sanctioned strength of police personnel (civil and armed) in 2016 was just 2,464,484 the employment in the PSI far exceeds the number of police personnel in the country.

Further technology is progressively playing an ever-increasing role in the value-added services being offered by the industry that include artificial intelligence, internet of things, hi-tech surveillance systems, biometric technologies, remote sensors, cyber security, etc. 

All in all with the ever-changing technology and increasing reliance on technological solutions in every sector, there has been a shift towards use of the latest technology in the private security industry as well. Manned guarding companies are now realizing that technology could improve service delivery. They similarly recognize that investing in new systems and platforms could give them the competitive edge in an increasingly competitive and price-sensitive industry, where even the smallest efficiency savings could translate into significant improvements in margins.

This brings us to our question, "How essential is this service?"

With Covid19 striking at us directly & indirectly both economically as well as mentally we are in a very critical situation. There is a perceived threat that an increase in attempts of thefts will be seen, lack of jobs & employment means that people may end up breaking law. All this puts more & more focus on Private Security, since now they become the frontline warriors in this fight to ensure that people remain safe from all kinds of threat (Covid or Non Covid)

The Indian personal security market is likely to touch INR 99,000 crore (~USD 15.2 billion) by 2020 and INR 1.5 lakh crores (~USD 23.1 billion) by 2022 (as per latest industry estimates). Apart from revenue growth, the Private Security Industry (PSI) is also evolving in its employment practices. Leading industry players are setting new standards in the industry by focusing on training and skill development of their people and customer satisfaction, establishing employee welfare funds, ensuring timely payment of salaries, and defining career progression paths for high-performing employees.

So who are the names to reckon amongst the frontline warriors who are taking care of the quality of the manpower, services & setting benchmarks for the other industry players to follow?

One of them is CAPSI (Central Association of Private Security Industry), CAPSI today has approximately 20 State Chapters with a majority of PSA's being members of the same, it is the leading body representing the interests of private security industry.

The other is MEPSC (Management & Entrepreneurship and Professional Skills Council), the premier skilling agency for PSI's. The recent movement to bring the entire industry under one umbrella & with a lot of adversity being faced by PSI's due to GST & Covid19 there is an amazing feeling of unity amongst the entire PSI community.

As is the common adage associated with adversity

"Brave men rejoice in adversity, just as brave soldiers triumph in war." The Private Security Industry has put its entire weight behind ensuring that their voice is heard. All this and more along with efforts from industry stalwarts like Kunwar Vikram Singh, Chairman of CAPSI, private security today has been slotted as an "Essential Service".

And indeed there is nothing more essential than the private security frontline warriors today, since all our uniformed forces are fighting to keep our borders & cities safe.

Now, the question that arises post all this discussion is who shall take care of these frontline warriors?

"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?"