Need to change mindset for better security: VK Singh

New Delhi: People need to change their mindsets and should not remain bystanders when it comes to ensuring public security and personal well-being in the present security scenario, Minister of State for External Affairs Gen (retd) V K Singh said here Thursday.

 Inaugurating the latest edition of India International Security Expo at Pragati Maidan here, the former Army chief said there was also an impending need to upgrade security protocols and processes in order to ensure better security for all.

 "I need to emphasise that we need to change our own mindsets for better security. We can't be bystanders today where things go wrong. We see many things on the street and that cannot be allowed to happen," he said.

 Singh said the "security consciousness" of an average person is very low in India and this has to change given the advent of smart gadgets and machines that latest technology has made available now.

Urging security experts and manufacturers to create gadgets according to the domestic need, the Minister said, there was a need to change the mindset of breaking rules rather than following them.

 He said "integrated security solutions" would also be essentially required for creation of the 100 'Smart Cities' project announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 "People (involved in Smart Cities projects) will have to sit down and work out a comprehensive integrated solution which will provide the best possible facility to citizens and best possible solutions to lead their lives in a secure environment," he said.

 Singh said there will have to be a "logical match" between privacy and security.

 "Digital technology is changing so fast that there has to be a match between what we need, what we procure, what we install and the type of dividends it gives us...," he said.

 Speaking on the occasion, CISF chief Surender Singh said security systems should be "lean and cost effective" and new technology is the answer to current challenges in this domain.

 India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) CMD LC Goyal, during the event, said the future 'Smart Cities' will also have to be safe cities as well and security systems have to be an integral part of these large urban dwellings.

 Over 80 different vendors from the public and government sector are showcasing a variety of safety, anti-theft and counter-sabotage and intelligent security devices at the four-day event which began here today.