Multi-level security systems for real protection

David Vollmar reveals why unival is focussing on the integration of multi-level security systems in order to provide reliable solutions for their international clientele.

“The importance of a sustainable security infrastructure is essential for economic and political growth”

What do you mean by multi-level security and what are the solutions that unival group supplies?

We are constantly analysing the security threats that our clients are facing today and it is very clear that the current threat level has seriously increased. This means that the time of stand-alone security solutions is over. Modern security will always comprise of a multi-level system of interacting and synergetic security products that provide the best possible protection in the actual scenario. This also means that even small organisations have to invest in proper intelligence and security assessments to provide sufficient security for their personnel and their assets, when operating in today's high-risk areas.

The biggest threat today comes from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that have become the signature weapon of international terrorism as they are simple, cheap and deliver a disproportionate effect. IEDs cannot be extrapolated into anything other than a major threat to political stability worldwide.

Our company has therefore shaped a highly effective product portfolio especially designed for the fight against IEDs and ballistic threats in order to support our clients in building a modular and multi-level security system to protect their organisations, whether operating with a small or large security budget.

Has the current financial crisis had an impact on the security market? What markets do you specially focus on?

The importance of a sustainable security infrastructure is essential for economic and political growth, the security market will therefore see no drop in the coming years but will be among the fastest developing business fields.

Security cannot be underrated, as people will not be willing to make long-term investments without proper security, as they are not able to protect their investments and assets. In my eyes security planning has to be an essential part of infrastructure developments and needs to be integrated in the initial planning phase in order to avoid the fatal compromises that we see in a lot of projects today.

The Middle and Far East region is therefore among our core markets in the coming years. With the growing demand for security even among smaller organisations that wish to expand their business into potential risk markets, which promise much higher growth rates as saturated Western markets, our main focus is on solid risk assessment and good consultation. The products that we supply need to be specially designed for the area of usage, have to be modular and have upgrade potential for future viability. Also important is the ease of use for customers.

If you say multi-level security, what product groups are part of a solid concept?

Speaking of our own product portfolio we have identified three main fields, which we strongly highlight: intelligence, counter measures and physical protection. This means gathering of information in order to make a strategic decision as intelligence. Counter measures against IEDs - especially radio controlled devices (RCIEDs) with smart digital jamming equipment - and physical protection in the form of up-armoured security vehicles and construction security in order to protect with special hardware against the worse case. Reality shows that worst case planning has to be applied, if operating in risk areas, as there might be no second chance you surely want to protect yourself with a complementary and modular security infrastructure. Our products are covering these fields and we train our clients to apply their security infrastructure for the respective scenario. I also expect the insurance industry to request higher security standards for future infrastructure projects.

What development do you expect to see in your company over the next 12-24 months?

We want to be among companies that are outstanding in product innovation. As a German company we always put a lot of attention into quality and sustainability.

David Vollmar is Managing Director of the unival group of companies with headquarters in Bonn, Germany. The group is active in more than 30 countries worldwide with a strong focus on emerging countries in need for security infrastructure against blast and ballistic protection.