HCL Security is part of the $5-billion HCL group and is focusing on the key verticals of homeland security (like city security, border security and coastal security), critical infrastructure (airports, ports, and oil pipelines), and enterprise security. It provides a set of customised solutions which leverage technology to build an Integrated Security Frame work for government organisations, infrastructure projects and business organizations. Mr Bhattacharyya has worked with firms like Siemens and KPMG in his prior assignments and also has extensive business planning, facilitation, analysis, interpersonal skills with a proven record of organization building capabilities. He has also been a member of the National Steering Committee on Information Technology, constituted by the Indian government for advice on the development of IT in India.

Q. What are the focus areas of homeland security for HCL Security? It is still new in India, especially after 26/11, any plans submitted to Govt?

Ans. HCLS is deeply involved in Homeland Security. Right from offering enhanced city level safety architectures like Safe State to securing an infrastructure, we have focus on every opportunity related to security. Coastal Surveillance is one of our key areas of focus along with Police & Paramilitary, Airports, Ports, Railways, Metros, Critical Infrastructure, High Footfall Areas, Power Plants, Banks, Religious Spots, Hotels, Educational Entities, Corporates and even SMEs, to name a few. HCLS has also recently signed a MoU with Cisco to work together in enhancing security endeavours, not only in India but also in the global arena.

We are in the phase of advocacy for past 2 years and strongly feel that Homeland Security is an effective tool and not a replacement of police. Safe state is an integrated approach to security and we have identified integrated platforms for actionable intelligence. We have put forward our views in several forums like CII and other conferences held around 1 year completion of 26/11 attacks.

Q. What is the model for India?

Ans. Technology is an effective enabler for full-proof security these days. Technology has to be fused with people, intelligence & process to create excellent security architecture. Such architecture will not only minimize risks drastically but also enhance management of cities/facilities/departments and also add immense value to national security apparatus. A layered architecture will add more value in enhancing security measures and technology should not only be deployed but should be integrated with devices/ equipments in such a way that they talk with each other & offer actionable intelligence.

Q. Do the security agency (India) have any part/role to play in Homeland Security?

Ans. In India, it’s low. We have elements of security in Police and it’s more a state subject.

Q. What is apart from CISCO?

Ans. We are looking into tactical and a strategic long term partnership to grow our business with all our partners working globally.

Q. What are the professional collaborations you have with the police and para military forces in India?

Ans. We have come a long way with Police & Paramilitary forces in India. We are working closely with paramilitary forces for incorporating technology to aid them in enhancing their security endeavours in securing critical locations & infrastructures.

Q. Has HCL found any alliances?

Ans. In today’s scenario, integrated security is required. Technology has to be fused with people, intelligence & process to create excellent security architecture especially near our borders. We have given our technical support to SPG, NSG, BSF, Police etc.

Q. Are you producing also?

Ans. HCL has designed the first of its kind command & control centre architecture - Horizon. Horizon offers actionable intelligence by integrating and analyzing inputs from multiple solutions and provides a single window output giving the enforcement agency an enhanced decision making platform over security concerns. Unlike other command & control centre modules which are exclusive for standalone solutions life CCTV, baggage scanners, PIDS etc, Horizon integrates every possible solution incorporated in security & surveillance architecture & offers a single window approach for viewing all the solutions in a single monitoring solution.

Q. Expecting any business with nuclear deal?

Ans. It’s a visible target and need of security is high. We may expect business in future as the market grows to 10-15%.

Q. Any collaboration plans apart from USA?

Ans. We already into collaboration with our vendors present across the world.

Any plans of the company to provide its solutions to smaller countries/less profitable?

Ans. Too early to comment.

Any RPF being floated? And has HCL completed any projects?

Ans. Yes we are a part of many discussions and projects. We have just completed the “City Surveillance” system in Bhopal.

HCL has initiated the concept of safe state. Elaborate.

Ans. Leveraging on the power of technology, HCL has designed an indigenous framework called ‘SAFE STATE’ that is focused on securing the nation through Technology. Safe State will offer actionable intelligence by integrating futuristic & intelligent technologies. Safe State is a strategic requirement for Security & Surveillance of our motherland. Safe State, in addition to the existing security setup in the state, will enhance the existing capabilities leveraging on the State of the art technologies, Analysis & Enforcement and Seamless Connectivity. Safe State will equip authorities with advanced technologies that will help monitor, track, detect, prevent & respond to threats & distress. The most interesting fact being, apart from enabling security, Safe State will also help the revenue generating departments like State Tax Departments, Traffic Department, Police Department, Municipalities…etc by providing vital information that will help them to function effectively & efficiently. Once information is provided to the concerned departments, analysis & enforcement can be enabled easily. That’s another feather in the cap for the State. With Safe State’s seamless connectivity modules, ground units & control units can be contacted to respond to the situation in a positive & rapid way.

What is the business HCL Security Ltd. has in mind with the armies, navies and air forces of the region?

Ans. HCL has unique customized solutions offerings for Army, Navy & Air Force. It is already in touch with various entities of Army, Navy & Air Force to deploy its solutions in their premises. Critical & major installations across our country have been identified & specialized solution packages are created to tackle security threats in these locations. Sensitive installations like depots & storehouses are also in our radar.

Please throw some light on the collaborations you have with academia in India for research and development.

Ans. We have deep ties with academia in our projects. We are continually engaging with many prominent Scientists & Professors for our solution development. Their suggestions & value additions have been actively incorporated in many of our solution packages. On the institutional front, we have active collaboration with Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore & SSN College of Engineering, and Chennai for niche research & development projects.

Do you plan joint ventures with DRDO and public sectors in India?

Ans. We are open to opportunities that have a strategic sense and which are in sync with our core competency.

What are the long term goals you foresee for your company in the world military scenario?

Ans. The shift in threats is clearly visible these days. Defence is as much important within any country these days as at the borders. Threats are amorphous. Threats breach through borders unlike earlier times. AK47s & Grenades which were unknown to civilians those days are very common names these days. This shift in the terror trend very clearly indicates that terrorists are not just at the borders, but within our country. We are moving away from traditional defence outlays to Home Land Security at a drastic pace. Our future goals are oriented towards technology, integration & capabilities enhancement to address these amorphous threats.

What are the available infrastructure and production facilities you have?

Ans. We are largely a SI company & are infrastructure agnostic. However, we involve in people, relationships & skill sets required to enhance our offerings. We have a dedicated R&D Team which focuses on building world class solutions; Our most recent feat is the launch of ‘Horizon’ – An Integrated Command & Control Centre which offers enhanced actionable intelligence.

What are the expansion plans?

Ans. We are largely in the Indian Market but we have already paved way for our global presence. Our Cisco tie up will reemphasize on the fact that we are moving towards the global market. Apart from the geographical domains, we are continuously exploring new technologies & practices that could be implemented to enhance security endeavors.