PRIMARY PROTECTION

An increasing number of people appear to be concerned about of preservation of property, be it personal or corporate. And not because our citizens are living better than before. The point is that more and more people come to realize: measures must be taken before an accident, not after it. After all, safety is an important part of human life. Protection of homes, industrial or office property is one of the key tasks today. All of us must have seen video cameras in banks, shopping malls and public places. Such cameras are part of a centralized security system. In the present-day world it would be imprudent not to pay due attention to the issue of safety.

Azerbaijan's first private company that has earned itself a reputation for being a reliable partner in the safety and security systems market is SS - Security Systems. Suffice it to say that SS has officially existed on the market since 1997.

The company uses advanced technologies and tracks all security and protection innovations. Since it was established, the company's engineers have worked in such strategically important sites as the International Bank of Azerbaijan (IBA) and all its branches in Baku, Sumgayit and Ganca, the National Bank, the Ministries of National Security, of Foreign Affairs, of Finance, of Transport, of Defense, of Taxes, of Justice, the Cabinet of Ministers, etc. The installation of security and protection systems, carried out in cooperation with the Special State Protection Service (SSPS) under the Presidential Administration, required not only a fundamental knowledge of the complex security systems, but also a flexible approach. And this is only a short list of the agencies where Security Systems specialists were engaged. Isn't this proof of a quality and efficient approach, as well as the fact that SS can be entrusted with such a critical issue as security?

Founder of Security Systems Parviz Nasirov:      

- We have worked with almost all major state and private entities. Being an official contractor for the IBA from 1998 to 2003 means that we have come a long way in supplying the country's financial institutions with intellectual security equipment. We have designed, adjusted and upgraded security systems that were based on a common principle. It was an extremely labor intensive effort. We were the only national contractor of BP in 1998, and worked with the company almost until 2005. This was a great achievement because foreigners did not have too much confidence in us and almost never worked with local companies. We had to prove our professionalism. We worked with BP on the Baku-Supsa-Grigoleti project in Georgia. Then we were used in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and the Sangachal Terminal projects. The culminating point of our activities was the fact that we started developing an integrated security system (ISS) which incorporated all security directions regardless of location. We were the only contractor of the SSPS. Now, for obvious reasons, there is not so much work with the SSPS because our security systems are now installed almost at all state facilities. The SSPS provides security not only of presidential facilities but also of all major public institutions and ministries which are required to coordinate their security matters. There have been very specific security tasks at presidential facilities, especially if we had to work in a densely-populated area. Everything had to be envisaged to ensure complete security in all directions - air, water and land. These tasks were dealt with in cooperation with our foreign partners and specialists. Some decisions had to be made in process. We had to be creative and approach some matters analytically. Not everything went smoothly but we did our best. If we didn't succeed, we had to redo something. 

Everything started quite naturally. The late 1990s. Azerbaijan's financial and stock markets started to be discernible. Major banks with vast financial resources appeared, and their managers started to think about security. Parviz Nasirov was working for the Institute of Applied Physics at the time, and security systems were one direction of his work. He was soon invited to work for a major Azerbaijani bank and take charge of the security department there.

Founder of Security Systems Parviz Nasirov:

- When I began to study security systems, including those at the level of the CIS and foreign countries, and to select equipment for establishing a security system at the bank, we suddenly realized that this was a huge market with an abundance of technical resources. I traveled to Moscow, spent months talking to experts on safety and security systems. After commissioning a security system at the bank - it was pretty sophisticated equipment in those days - bank managers suggested setting up a company. They took an interest in this potentially promising field because the bank had its own holding which lacked a unit that would deal with security systems. I was offered to take charge of this branch. At first it was part of a general system, then it was separated into a company, which became the country's first private organization dealing with all areas of security. We were a team of qualified engineers who were not afraid to work with advanced equipment. I knew that there would be a demand for that and that intelligent security systems would be needed not only to banks. Money started flowing to Azerbaijan, there was growing competition and, accordingly, the level of crime. I knew that we cannot escape from this.

The security of facilities is a complex task that requires combined effort of many people and use of high-tech equipment. It is difficult to ensure the security of a person, organization, bank or any other institution without a security system that would incorporate human resources, technical facilities and, most importantly, timely receipt and analysis of information about real threats and their possible consequences. The installation or upgrade of a security system is a key contributor to a successful development of a business or organization. However, not all people understand what they need to defend themselves from. This is why SS employees first try to find out what threats a customer may be exposed to, analyze the risks and provide a solution. There is no area of security that SS would not be involved in. This includes the installation of video surveillance, access control and fire alarm systems, special protection and information processing equipment, installation and commissioning of high-tech equipment and communications.

Founder of Security Systems Parviz Nasirov:

- We deal with everything that relates to security equipment, and keep our finger on the pulse. We have a clear knowledge about what is going on, have all the necessary information about new products, constantly participate in international exhibitions both in the CIS and abroad. We go out, observe, people know us, we find new clients and partners, explore the market. We have received awards from our Russian and foreign colleagues. But our biggest achievement is that we are now respected by foreign experts. Let me reiterate that SS was the only Azerbaijani company to win bidding announced by the Azerbaijan International Operating Company jointly with bp Exploration (Caspian Sea) for the provision of integrated security systems for the Sangachal-Supsa and Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan projects.

Manufacturers of security systems constantly upgrade their products by developing intelligent warning systems, integrating them into single observation and analysis systems. Many prefer integrated security measures, and SS can provide these not only for state institutions or commercial entities, but also for social facilities. Today, our partners include such respected companies as KT and C, Dedicated Micros, Automatic systems, Openers and Closers, Hyundai Telecom, System Sensor, Optex, FAAC, DSC Security Products, Infinity, Pinetron, Inter M and others. Despite constant innovations and technical developments on the security systems market, the Azerbaijani market appears to be filling up with unprofessional and substandard products in the last two years.

Founder of Security Systems Parviz Nasirov:

- Perhaps this is due to the financial crisis. Today, if companies think about budgets, they want to save money on security. This is wrong, but it is a fact. This is observed mainly with medium-sized companies. Large holdings treat such matters as seriously as before. The crisis has brought about some laxity, as companies not very well versed in security equipment have rushed to this sector. They are importing poor-quality Chinese and Turkish equipment that may fail at the most crucial moment, or even lead to casualties. Since this market is constantly expanding, high-quality equipment is also accompanied by unprofessional commodities. Most people install something primitive, counting on its smooth operation. There is a lot of cheap and low-quality equipment on the market, and this may have repercussions. Catastrophes, cataclysms. At times delayed evacuation or poor warning systems that result in numerous deaths are blamed on unprofessional security systems. They either fail or produce a wrong result. Everything is left to chance. The issue of quality and necessity has receded into the background. Much is being done for show. This is a very unfortunate trend on Azerbaijan's security systems market.

SS believes that protection systems should also be installed at educational institutions, railway stations, cinemas, i.e. public spaces. The company raised the issue of setting up a centralized security system at secondary schools with the government five years ago. There were many proposals, but there are still not enough security systems.

Founder of Security Systems Parviz Nasirov:

- Particularly in need of protection are schools located along the roads. "Alarm buttons" could be installed in assembly halls and gyms. After all, there is a lot going on there and we must react quickly. We suggested installing turnstiles at schools to enable parents control of their children's attendance. This equipment is designed to register the time of arrival, progress evaluation, location of a child in a particular office, provision of parents with prompt information through text messages. We even offered to install this system for free. The parents interested in obtaining more information can do so by paying AZN 2-3. This is not a lot, is it? We are now working on installing intercoms in public housing complexes. This means social protection intended to keep strangers away. Of course, 10 years ago there was no such problem, but now our equipment is installed in five public housing complexes. We have installed it for free, but will start charging a fee for using it. Earlier, people did not know what an intercom is, while now many people have an idea. The level of knowledge, of course, has increased, which is very good. Social security has improved in homes and hospitals. However, people's attitude to quality has, unfortunately, decreased.