But, “the state police lack resources, men and training to fight ultras,” says an official of a semiconductor company in Bangalore. “We need to set up a rapid reaction force to exclusively tackle terrorists.”
 |
Time To Act: Leaders from IT, biotechnology
and hotel industry met Chief Minister
Yeddyurappa (right) to upgrade security in the
state |
Pai feels that private security agencies can be an additional source of security, and that they should be given licences to bear arms. “They can be the first line of defence in a crisis and will enable multiple layers of security,” he added. (See ‘India’s Private Armies’, BW, 21 November 2008.) Moreover, “we have suggested that the state government create a crisis control centre to coordinate the various state and central agencies that are involved in dealing with such terror attacks,” said Biocon’s Chairperson and Managing Director Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, even as she demanded stronger help from the government and even the military. “Industry also plans to work together under the umbrella of Nasscom and Electronics City Association, so that its own security personnel are trained to assume anti-terrorist skills.” Mazumdar-Shaw adds that a suggestion to have Home Guards conduct drills across schools, colleges, corporate offices and malls has also been made.
Watching Their Backs
Most companies in Bangalore’s IT and BPO sectors already have their own elaborate security checks in place. Infosys, for instance, has an extensive physical security system: every person, irrespective of credentials, is subjected to checks both on entry and exit. “We are very clear that no matter who you are, you have to go through the entire process,” says Chairman and Chief Mentor N.R. Narayana Murthy. “In fact, our foreign customers were initially unhappily surprised about the system, but are now immensely pleased. We are extremely careful and there is no room for complacency.”
Wipro’s complex, which stands towards the end of a private stretch of road in Bangalore’s Sarjapur area, has vehicle checks at its entry point. “We decided to have checks right from the entry point, instead of waiting till someone got through our gates with unwanted intentions or dangerous material,” says an official.
Over and above baggage screening and metal detectors, most IT companies insist on visitors displaying photo IDs for the duration of their visit. Some also insist on having employees escort visitors. Employees are also expected to wear/carry their identity cards on their person. CCTVs monitor every move. Most offices restrict Web access to office mail and a few essential websites. Curbs are placed on the uses of official mail. Sites for social networking, instant messaging and gaming are blocked.
Meanwhile, Nasscom’s National Skills Registry (NSR), run by the National Securities Depository, creates a unique identity for any person wishing to work in the IT industry. Fingerprints and photographs of candidates are taken, and credentials verified by third-party organisations. Once this information is authenticated, firms can use a centralised system to verify the antecedents of prospective employees.
“With the NSR number, we are creating an alternative identity for an individual, over and above the passport and other identification documents,” explains Som Mittal, president of Nasscom. “By creating such deterrents, we can safeguard ourselves.” The system, however, is not mandatory at present.
There have also been allegations of rogue IT employees being involved in terror attacks. companies are sensitising employees to report unusual behaviour, and regulating background checks on employees. “Still, we can only do so much,” says an IT official. “Government and intelligence agencies have to work together to ensure that things are kept in check.” But as memories blur, promises tend to be forgotten — with tragic consequences.
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(Businessworld Issue 9-15 Dec 2008)
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