New Year (Security) Resolutions – 2021
31st Dec 2020
We are now on the cusp of not just the New Year, but an entire new decade! Like every year, when the end of this year drew near, the phrase “New Year Resolutions” once again becomes a hot topic of discussion! The past few years have been tough for most businesses. The uncertainty, havoc, loss and despair that 2020 has brought upon all of us only makes the road ahead an even more challenging one. While change may be constant, all of us know better than ever before that the changes we now need to make, going forward, are going to be more impactful on our way of life than ever before. Hence, this phrase, “New Year Resolutions for 2021, becomes far more important than the years gone by.
Most of us wish – for us and all our near and dear ones – for happiness, health, success, joy, and wealth, at the onset of the New Year. But how many of us RESOLVE to actually make SAFETY & SECURITY a priority, an integral part of our lifestyles – in the year ahead?
How many of us actually resolve to ensure that:
The gas is switched off correctly each time?
The main door is bolted every night?
We never forget to wear our masks correctly and maintain social distancing?
We screen all visitors before we allow them into our homes?
We vet our staff correctly before we hire them?
We install fire alarm systems in all our commercial premises?
We regulate access into our offices?
We monitor all public spaces correctly to prevent / solve crime?…
There are a dozen more ways in which we can lead safer and more secure lives, IF we choose to.
IF we RESOLVE to. As well we should!
Having said that though, there HAS been some positive movement in this area. Income disparity has driven up crime rates in most metros in India and therefore, over the past few months, at our Company we have noticed a trend amongst independent home-owners as well as residential societies to either opt for new ones, or augment existing CCTV systems. A segment in which Mumbai trailed other metros – Intrusion Alarms – has gained momentum, after witnessing increased crime rates in certain well-to-do neighbourhoods of the city. So, I guess it would only be fair to say that people ARE gradually realizing the role that electronic Security has to play, and some of them did not wait for the onset of the New Year to ‘resolve’ to be more Secure.
It was heartening to see the following when I was at a sales visit to a mid-sized corporate office in Andheri last week:
All COVID protocols were being followed right from the entrance of their stand-alone building, entrance lobbies, elevators, floor wise receptions, and in the offices as well. Desks were spaced far apart. Masks were being worn diligently, and social-distance was being maintained. The security / BMS room too was well planned and well maintained. CCTV, Fire Alarms and Access control systems were all in working order, and they had called upon me to consult with regards to upgrades and augmentation of their security systems.
I have seen a many high-end commercial buildings, MNC’s and big Companies that have effective Security Systems and processes, but to see this level of discipline and seriousness in a smaller Company was a pleasant surprise.
The amount of despair in the past year has instilled a sense of hopelessness and doom in many industries and individuals, but I am glad to say that in our industry, the Electronic Security Industry, things seem to be moving upward. I might even go out on a limb and say “There is hope in 2021, for a safer and more secure India.”
– Rohit Chabria