Security is not just about price, but trust as well
Security is not just about price, but trust as well
By Satyasuryawan Contributor Jakarta
Security is indeed costly. It is so expensive that many people cannot afford "to buy" it. It is not that these people do not have enough money but rather because many people display the wrong attitude to security.
"Our people will not buy a security gadget until they really experience a disturbing incident," said S. Raharja, president director of PT Secom Indopratama. Our people liken security to a fire, which may not break out more than once in a decade. "Public awareness about security is still poor," he added. Besides, many people believe that a security gadget is a luxury and is fit only for businesses requiring a high level of security, such as banks.
Obviously, security companies must counter this misguided attitude related to security matters. It is not surprising, therefore, to see that Secom has only several hundred clients even though it was set up in 1994. Most of these clients are Japanese because Secom's principal is based in Japan and has millions of clients. By comparison, local company PT Teknodev Inti Utama, now in its 24th year, has only some 800 clients.
This erroneous attitude towards security matters is now being slightly corrected following terrible incidents that have taken place locally and globally. After the WTC twin towers were destroyed on Sep. 11, 2002, by a suicidal act of terror using two planes, the sales volume of security gadgets at home has showed a sharp increase. Then, after the bomb blasts in Bali in October of this year, metal detectors and CCTVs flooded the market, with their quality varying from the lowest to the highest (branded). Security gadget suppliers, such as PT Jaguarkindo Muliakencana, can sell 5 to 10 US-made metal detectors a month with the price ranging between Rp 2 million and Rp 3 million. Various brands and types of CCTVs are also today easily found in the Mangga Dua shopping area.
For companies selling security gadgets, these tragedies served as a blessing in disguise. It is clear now that the security business still has big potential. While earlier security companies were eying only companies, they are now turning their attention to the retail market and housing estates. "There are a lot of posh houses here. The market potential is huge," said director of Teknodev, Charles Aryopaty, whose clients are mostly in the banking sector.
Very tough competition in the electronic security business has been going on since last year, involving such electronic security devices as alarm systems, CCTVs, metal detectors, walking thru or access control. However, only a few companies specialize in this business. Some other companies also provide security services apart from selling security devices. In point of fact, the use of a security device is virtually useless unless it courts a response from the police. A very easy example is the fact that a security officer on duty in the parking ground of Plaza Senayan is nearly unperturbed by the shrieking siren of a sedan alarm.
It may be the case that the alarm system is giving only a false alarm, which is not uncommon in any electronic security system, whether in an automobile, in a shopping compound, in a factory, in a warehouse or in a housing estate. Then, the security authorities or the police are usually tardy in responding to this alarm. This tardy response is attributable to the low qualifications of security personnel in charge and frequent false alarms. Clearly, this situation calls for the integration of machinery and human beings.
Since 1999, Secom and Teknodev have officially provided 24- hour security services. Following the outbreak of the 1998 May riots, the government relaxed the regulations on security companies and permitted the establishment of professional security companies. Then a few foreign companies in this business also started operating here. Hill & Associates and ADT Security are two examples.
Just like Secom, Teknodev sells security devices and offers a security system or 24-hour patrol. Under this system, a company needs no longer think about security matters any more. It does not need to hire its own security guards as it can outsource its security system entirely from a professional security company.
Under this mechanism, all security systems and procedures will be designed by the professional company concerned. This company will decide the types and the number of the alarm systems needed. They will decide where these alarm devices will be installed and what procedure should be applied in case of a robbery so that guests can come and go safely.
Secom even guarantees that the devices installed on their clients' premises are 100 percent functional as these devices are checked every two hours. The devices installed on a client's premises will be connected directly to the monitoring center. If the alarm is triggered, the alarm system will give a signal to the head office. A few seconds later, the nearest patrol officers will examine the situation at the client's premises. If necessary, they will work together with the police. With this service, a client get a sound sleep or travel comfortably. He will just have to think about how to boost his business.
Of course, everything has a price. In this context, a company does not need to have its own security guards. When a security system relies solely on people, it has its own limitations as the people concerned may not always be in top form, It must be borne in mind that crime usually involves insiders and that these insiders are often none other than the security officers themselves. "Statistics show that 74 percent of criminal acts in Indonesia involve insiders," said Raharja. If there is a company in need of security personnel, these two security companies are always ready to provide training or supply security personnel. Insiders usually find it more difficult to persuade these security people to collude with them.
For a company providing security services, this business is better for its survival. If they only sell security devices, their clients will return only in the next five to 10 years when the devices are broken or obsolete.
Secom, which has on its payroll some 600 guards, offers its services to houses at a rate of US$100-200 a month, depending on how many alarm systems or gadgets are needed. Teknodev offers a security package to housing estates at a cost of some Rp 2.5 million a month. They will collect Rp 150,000 to Rp 250,000 a month for security patrol services, depending on the type of security system chosen. With 200 guards in its employment, Teknodev offers two security systems: a telephone line or a radio frequency system. The latter system allows uninterrupted communications while the telephone line system has its weakness in that the contact will be disrupted when the telephone is out of order or if the cable is severed.
If you need guards, Teknodev can provide these for you, charging you between Rp 250,000 - Rp 500,000 a day per person. Unlike what we usually imagine, these guards do not need to have a large build. They are not fighters but they have been trained to protect their clients and show them how to avoid danger or misfortune. They have also been trained to read the local situation so that they are fully aware which way is safe to lead their client away. They are also required to learn who the client will meet, what he looks like, including his character.
It is up to you which company or system you prefer. Regardless of the price, security is strongly related to trust. Do you trust the electronic gadget fixed in your house or do you doubt the qualifications of the security personnel assigned to help you? You must remember that a security company depends on its own reputation because it is this very company that designs the system and the procedures, fixes the security devices and masters the technology when it provides security services for you.
This may be the price of a sense of security. The price really depends on how big your trust is in the security system devices chosen and the reputation of the company concerned.