CHINA EMBRACES SUSTAINABILITY
GUOSHENG YANG, VP OF ZHONGDUN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
China's 12th five-year plan has specifically listed green living as a target. Establishing low-carbon emissions and following sustainable practices for production, logistics, consumption and construction will be an emphasis in the years to come.
The five-year plan benefits many industries. For example, traffic and safety management has been strengthened. This has increased networking, with emergency response to natural disasters offering more opportunities to develop security businesses. For first responders, it is an important task to collect on-site images and transmit them to the central control center in a timely fashion. Real-time responses can provide more information for a smarter response. This eliminates wasted expense from unnecessary or redundant actions.
GREENER PRODUCTION
Since security production is part of electronics manufacturing, electrical power supply is a concern for suppliers. Manufacturers can reduce their carbon footprint by considering product design, system installation, project construction or security service. Some measures include:
1. Optimizing production.
2. Decreasing product power consumption
3. Industrial design
4. Efficient system operation
5. System maintenance
However, security remains the top priority; saving power is important but not as crucial as keeping people safe. A security solution should fulfill its purposes and functions, but strive to use the minimal amount of energy with optimal products.
The task to maximize energy efficiency and lower carbon emissions is a key development for security. A revised security mandate will require more efficient power for electronic security systems, covering green security products. The combination of security and sustainability needs to take root quickly for the benefit of the security industry.
SECURITY SERVICES BENEFIT FROM FIVE-YEAR PLAN
The Chinese security market was estimated to be worth US$36 billion in 2010. Of this amount, at least $1.1 billion came from security services, which accounts for roughly 3 percent. It is expected that projects from the 12th five-year plan will make up at least 20 percent of security spending. Should this prediction come true, the security market is set to take off in the years to come.
MANDATES DRIVE SECURITY
Security in China has benefited from several mandates, including ones that regulate manned services and alarm monitoring. This improves industry operation, as government oversight drives security implementation. Clear policies for upholding safety provide good opportunities for Chinese service providers. Security service companies must comply with the government's regulations for protection and personnel guarding. Such companies must register as security service suppliers to operate. Their services will stem from traditional guarding of VIPs to security checks and technical services. The convergence of technical and personnel protection satisfies multiple needs and expands business opportunities.
VERTICAL-SPECIFIC SERVICE
Managed services and maintenance contracts have been important for security service providers. The Safe City initiative launched in 2004 has established projects in many cities, utilizing alarm verification and networking. To have effective system operation, professional system management and regular maintenance are crucial. More Safe City deployments will accelerate the development of continued maintenance and managed services.
Densely populated locations require high security, such as government facilities, media outlets, key transportation hubs and financial institutions. In order to work more effectively and efficiently, networked security solutions should be in place. Security service providers will be essential for system installation, daily operation and continued maintenance, stimulating public security.
DIVERSIFYING PRIVATE SECURITY
As living standards improve for Chinese residents, they will require greater protection of financial and personal assets. China's vast population boasts more than 1 billion citizens, 1.9 billion vehicles and 300 million commercial businesses in 639 cities. However, alarm monitoring services are used by a small fraction of these homeowners and businesses, leaving ample opportunities. Widespread adoption of 3-G has eased bottlenecks in transmission, enabling uptake of networked security solutions.
Security services are expected to see strong growth due to government mandates and market demand. Service operations will drive the security industry, resulting in better use of resources, lower costs and streamlined business practices.