IT industry intensifies security system

CHENNAI: Shaken by November 26 terror attacks in Mumbai and realising the urgent need for revamping the security set up to protect their establishments from such incidents, IT industry here had beefed up their security system to save it from any eventuality.
       
Though the Tamil Nadu police had provided adequate security in and around IT industry complexes in the city, they did not want to take a chance and have strengthened their security system.
       
Most of the IT companies located in several IT parks and IT highway (Old Mahabalipuram Road) are taking all measures to maintain a strict vigil on their premises, according to industry experts.
       
Stating that the companies are proactive in security arrangements, National Association for Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) Regional Director K Purushothaman said, "After the terror strike in Mumbai, the mood is 'upbeat' among the IT industry in order to maintain their premises secured."
 
"They are taking all precautionary steps in security arrangements", he said.
       
He said, "In this regard, a manual was also being created highlighting the guidelines for selection of vendors, drivers and security guards besides giving detailed measures for ensuring data security after a proposal was made by the then state IT Secretary Chandamouli three months ago".
       
"We are planning to complete the manual by next week and would be presenting it to IT Secretary and higher police officials for their feedback on it," he said.
 
Polaris Software Lab Administration and Special Projects head and Senior Vice-President K Govindarajan said, "Security is top priority for us. We reevaluate security measures from time to time. After the recent Mumbai attacks, we have taken some additional steps to beef up the security measures across all Polaris faciliities.".
 
"The company has been engaged in creating awareness by introducing a special session on security and safety for new recruits and a pocket size manual on security tips was being created as a quick reference for employees," he said.
 
In addition to this the company had also taken steps to install metal detectors in door frames at all access points and car parking has also been revamped to ensure cars are parked at a safe distance from the main building, he said.
 
"We are initiating these programmes across all locations where Polaris facilities are present" he said.
 
Speaking in similar terms, a spokesperson of technology service provider Logica said, "We do review our security policies and measures on a regular basis." All employees have to display their badges at all times. No visitor is allowed into the work places unless accompanied by an employee or security personnel."
 
In addition to this, he said, "The exit processes for employees are treated as importantly as new recruitment procedures. All access and data are retrieved on the last working day of the employee".
 
However, in case of any security risk, the company has provisions to remotely close all entry/exit points by steel rolling shutters, he said.
 
Stating that an external agency has been engaged to verify the background details of all employees, he said, "We work with external agencies to provide security. While the buildings we occupy have their own security arrangements, we engage our own agency to provide security besides this."
     
"For example, in Chennai where we occupy DLF IT park, besides the security features that the DLF facility offers, we have our own agency to look after Logica's security," he said.
     
"There is a designated security function which is responsible for overall security policies, compliance, audit and incident management," the spokesperson said.
      
Responding to a query whether the same security measures are being applied on all the company's centres present in various locations across the country, he said, "We work with different agencies in different cities. This enables us to leverage local knowledge and understanding."
      
When a spokesperson of IT service provider Cognisant was contacted to get their views on security arrangements he said, "Of course, it is (security) highly important to us. But, whatever we tell it to media we feel that we are violating the security rules."