AI will strengthen fire safety and security monitoring, says Maharashtra fire chief Santosh Warick in Mumbai

Artificial intelligence (AI) will make the monitoring and control of security systems more effective, said Santosh Warick, Director of the Maharashtra Fire Services Directorate and Chief Fire Officer of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation. If AI is used in monitoring CCTV cameras, suspicious movements can be identified and potential threats noticed in time for an immediate response, he said. He added that AI is making security systems more capable, effective and better equipped.

The PSP-ASIS Conclave, on the theme "AI in Security", was organised jointly by Pune Security Professionals and ASIS (American Society for Industrial Security). Warick was speaking on "Use of AI in fire safety" at the event, held at the Iconica Hotel in Mumbai.

Warick said building security and fire safety have both become important. From keeping watch on crowds in factories, offices or malls to managing entire operations, AI can help. AI can also be used to monitor the fire safety systems in buildings with ease.

He also pointed out that the government made significant amendments in 2023 to the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act. Detection systems, alarms, hydrants and sprinkler sensors installed in a building for fire safety send alerts in an emergency. In the event of any accident, this will help the fire brigade respond sooner, he said.

In his introductory address, Sunil Bidlam said the Pune Security Professionals (PSP) Forum is a platform that brings together professionals working in security, risk management and analysis in Pune's corporate, industrial and technology sectors. Topics discussed there include geopolitical developments affecting security, challenges related to security guards, access control systems and emergency preparedness. He said the effort is to hold such events in Mumbai and other cities as well as Pune. Through initiatives such as the "Suraksha Awards", the forum also honours individuals and organisations who have made notable contributions to security and risk management.

Brigadier Pritpal Singh said the conclave gave direction on meeting the challenges of AI and strengthening future security arrangements. Today, everything, big and small, is connected to the internet. Although the internet has made powerful technology such as AI available, without proper control people with ill intent can misuse it on a large scale. Security professionals must therefore understand the nature of AI, use it properly and think seriously about how it can be used to strengthen the security of organisations, he said.

The event was compered by Mrunalini Chaturvedi, and Mangesh Kate proposed the vote of thanks. Those present included Kiran Hatyal, Joint Director of the Maharashtra Fire Services Directorate; PSP co-founders Sunil Bidlam and Mangesh Kate; Brigadier Pritpal Singh, national head of the security department at Bank of Baroda; Mahesh Gavhane, Director of Security Shells Infotech; Rajeev Nair, Managing Director of Bayon Analytics; Purvesh Gada of SimX; Sameer Kumar Jha of the ASIS Mumbai chapter; and security sector professionals Nandkishor Bhat, Mohit Bhugani, Kunal Bhogal, Swapnil Kute, Sumit Shah, Brigadier Sunil Kumar, Marsh Miranda, Pramod Bhilare, Rakesh Kherwa and Sampat Suryawanshi.

Nilesh Gadekar, Vice President (Protective Security) at HSBC Bank India, and Santosh Bhalke, Assistant Security Manager at Hotel Grand Hyatt Mumbai, were honoured at the event for their notable contributions to the security services sector.