The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which is tasked with protecting sensitive installations like India’s space center, nuclear reactors, airports, and Parliament, is augmenting its skills to meet emerging threats. The move involves the setup of a dedicated team of domain specialists for thwarting threats such as drone intrusions, cyber-attacks, and aviation security threats, which was noted by Director General Rajwinder Singh Bhatti.
While the CISF is gearing up for its 56th Raising Day on March 7, Home Minister Amit Shah will be the Chief Guest on the occasion, which will be held in Tamil Nadu for the first time.
Set up by an Act of Parliament in 1968, the CISF started off with a little over 3,100 personnel. The force now has 200,000 personnel and intends to induct over 15,000 new recruits every year.
The CISF guards a large number of strategic facilities, including the Department of Space and the Department of Atomic Energy of the Indian Government, airports, the Delhi Metro, seaports, and monuments. As per its mandate, the force not only guards property and establishments but also secures VVIPs who fall into different classes of security, such as Z Plus, Z, X, and Y.
Director General Bhatti highlighted the modernization efforts of the force, announcing the setting up of specialized teams in priority sectors like Information Technology, aviation security, counter-drone systems, fire protection, and tactical operations. This move is geared towards responding to the fast-paced changing operational environment and new challenges.
Bhatti said the CISF would partner with the top institutions nationally and globally to improve training in these areas. The arrival of these specialists is likely to bring in new knowledge, skills, and technology into the CISF, which will eventually result in enhanced security measures and strategies.
