Market Mantra - Towards a secured future

Towards a secured future

   While politicians and administrators grapple with the increase in terrorism and heightened local crime levels, the security industry is cashing in on the opportunity. Globally, the security industry is estimated at $140 billion and it is growing at around 10-12 % CAGR (compound annual growth rate). Among the high-growth markets are India, China, South America, South Africa, West Asia and some of the South Asian countries.
   Increased urbanisation, poverty owing to imbalanced development, terrorism, economic development and asset creation have forced stakeholders to look for security. This is where those men in uniform sporting friendly smiles but firm attitudes come in. Topsgrup employs over 65,000 guards and has a clientele that includes Tatas, HSBC, IDBI, Oracle, Birla, Reliance and Airtel.
   The security industry in India is approximately Rs 4,000 crore, combining the organised and unorganised markets. The industry has also matured over a period through various regulatory policies with the latest being the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005. This is a central act and comes under the home ministry. Hence security as a subject has shifted from labour to home ministry, which is definitely an acceptance of the role that private security plays in safeguarding the interest of citizens of India.
CURRENT DEMAND OF
PROFESSIONALS
Private security business in India are all set to enter a high-growth trajectory. Analysts and industry watchers say that the business, estimated to be around Rs 4,000 crore currently, will grow at 20-25% annually over the next few years. While foreign investors have started looking at the sector, Indian players are also going for overseas acquisition.
   For hundreds and thousands of job-seekers, especially rural youths, private security service has thrown up a wide range of job opportunities. The number of people employed as security guards is expected to double in the next five years to 10 million. Today, Tops Security Limited has over 65,000 people on its rolls, which are expected to grow to 100,000 people by the year-end 2008-09.
   Professionals from various industries are joining security companies because this is the fastest growing industry in the world today. This is the only industry which possibly cannot see any kind of recession ever because security is needed when the economy is either on upward swing or otherwise.
   With the advent of Private Security Agencies Regulation Act 2005, certain standardisation has been set. Strict guidelines for licensing and training norms are in place and most companies are now getting registered.
   As regards revenue, 90% come from manned guarding and it is growing at 48% CAGR. The remaining 10% comes from 'Strategic Business Group,' which includes services such as intelligence, cash management, facilities management, event management, training, uniform manufacturing, emergency response service and air ambulance service.

SKILL-SET REQUIRED

The manpower is drawn from the low-income strata of society and also from states that do not provide enough employment opportunities. There has been an increase in the recruitment and deployment of lady guards in certain industry segments, which have a high growth going forward, like retail among others.
   The minimum qualification for the candidate to join at the supervisory level includes a graduation degree and good communication skills. As far as the guarding personnel are concerned, the minimum qualification is class X, for supervisors - class XII with minimum three years of experience as a security guard and for security officers/assignment managers - a graduation degree.
   There are positions in lower, middle and senior level management where we recruit personnel from reputed business schools. And for special security, investigation, rescue and vigilance (emergency response services, like TOPSLINE-1252 and Tops Air Rescue), we recruit personnel from specialised security training, medical and paramedic backgrounds.

REMUNERATION

The remuneration in the security industry is lucrative for those professionals who are willing to take the ownership and prove their mettle through performance. It is the right place for people who believe in doing things differently every day. People who come with experience can only raise the bar in terms of willingness of taking up the challenges and ownership.