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By Fiona Tan
The events of Sept 11 triggered a stepping up
of security, not only in the US but globally.
In Singapore, many security companies said business
improved by up to 20 percent.
For security systems company, APRO Technology,
the number of security audits it did after Sept 11 doubled.
The business did not come from local companies,
but from American and European MNCs who felt they were potential
terrorist targets.
They wanted audits to reassess security concerns,
especially in allowing only authorised persons to gain entry.
Ignatius Kang, General Manager of Marketing
& Operations at APRO Technology said, "Many of our
clients have pointed out that the safety and peace of mind
of their staff is paramount and they want to make sure that
people are happy to work at their premises."
In carrying out its audits, APRO found a common
security loophole.
It is in the structure of the premises, and
it is glass.
The company said many buildings, especially
those built in the 70s and 80s feature a lot of glass which
allows for easy intrusion.
Besides reinforcing windows with smash-proof
or even bullet-proof glass, there are other measures.
Thomas Hwang, Director of APRO Technology said,
"They can improve the level of surveillance, they can
improve on the routes of intrusion, like through the main
doors and the exit doors... really to intrude through the
windows would mean that the intruder will have a lot to do,
intruders basically take the easiest route in and the easiest
route out."
Some clients are using biometrics, which allows
entry by identifying fingerprint, palm-print, eye-retina,
facial features, or body-weight.
Those fearing bomb-laden vehicles have imposed
a minimum 50 metres distance between the carpark and main
building.
If there is limited space, a reinforced wall
is built to minimise explosion impact.
Some clients are even checking their mail for
anthrax, even though there have been no confirmed contamination
cases in Singapore.
As for armed protection, CISCO, which is the
only company providing such a service in Singapore, says demand
is also higher.
While APRO's clients have willingly spent at
least 30 percent more on security, they also recognise the
terrorist threat is not going to go away anytime soon.
Mr Kang said, "You have to look at what's
more sustainable, not just financially, but practical because
I don't think our clients want a Fort Knox at their premises
all year round and for the next many years.
"People are going to work everyday, so
you don't want to subject people to too much inconvenience
over prolonged period."
The post-Sept 11 business should have boosted
APRO's turnover by 20 percent, but the economic slowdown hit
the rest of its business, resulting in no growth.
So perhaps economic adversity could be a greater
threat than terrorism itself.
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