6th Security Managers' Conference - 17 Dec 2007

A welcome sign at this year’s conference was that no ‘Gyan’ was dished out by all and sundry as used to be the case in such meetings earlier on. Most of us used to find it very tough to digest the heavy doses of irrelevant tough talk which served no useful purpose (except to raise our hackles !!). Following are some one-liners which will summarize this year's meeting.

1. Sermonising should be avoided.
2. There is no 100% safe security system.
3. Innovate on a daily basis, refine and improve.
4. Bring to the notice of the Bank any ‘chinks’ in the armour.
5. There are no hierarchies as far as security is concerned.
6. Delve into the ‘psyche’ of the terrorists to know their designs.
7. Rehearse for natural calamities – mock drills.
8. Stop ‘taggers-along’, ‘tailgaters’ and ‘piggy-backers’.
9. Security systems are only as good as the people using them.
10. Start ‘owning’ the security gadgets.
11. Security culture should be inculcated.
12. Visitor profiling to be done at random.
13. Keep information resources secure (beware of pen drives !).
14. Security is the face of the organization.
15. Integrity is paramount.
16. Security Managers should ‘manage’.
17. Don’t ask for deferments/cancellations of postings.
18. Let local practices prevail – these are time tested.
19. Durwans should report to the Treasurer.
20. CCTV operations round the clock only upto June 2008.
21. Training of personnel manning various gadgets.
22. Security risk management is challenging, daunting and uphill task.
23. Security cannot be managed merely by prescribing rules and regulations.
24. Expect the unexpected every day.
25. Breath security, drink security and live security.
26. Suspect everything and everyone.
27. Security breaches occur in a state of complacency.
28. Security has to be demonstrably credible and deterrent.
29. No compromise at all in security matters.
30. Need for more alternatives.
31. Effective monitoring through the console room.
32. Look and you will find it (breaches !!).
33. Inspire as leaders – be role models.
34. Simulate hostage situation or a calamity and rehearse drills.
35. Don’t ask for resources – make the best of what you have.
36. Don’t ask for promotions – if you don’t like it – chuck it!
37. The Reserve Bank did not come to you – YOU came to it.
38. Remember the ‘history lessons’ which seniors will freely give you.
39. Report incidents to CSC promptly.
40. Don’t be a ‘James Bond’ and allow weapons into the premises.
41. Don’t raise local issues in such an august meeting.
42. Don’t cry for laptops in this forum – talk to your RD.
43. You WILL serve under multiple bosses - period.
44. You WILL do whatever dirty work is assigned to you.
45. Security Instructions Manual will be issued to all Security Officers.
46. We had our first promotion after 13 years - you are crying after 5 ?
47. Forget about defining the 'job role' or 'job content'.
48. Dont look at CSC to sort out your problems.
49. Copy the ‘Preface’ to the Security Instructions Manual and read it EVERYDAY !!
50. YOU ARE ALL “ARJUNS” ( Hurrah !!)

PS. If some of the above mentioned ‘one-liners’ seem to be contrary to accepted norms or laid down rules and regulations, contradictory, against all tenets of Security Management or even downright crazy – remember - the bosses are always right !!
So don’t you dare question the veracity of these ‘mind boggling’ 50 pearls of wisdom. Just DO IT.