A security camera installed to protect a site can become useless when a guard unplugs it to charge a mobile phone and forgets to reconnect it.
The incident reflects a wider challenge in Bangladesh’s growing electronic security market, where advanced technology is often undermined by poor product selection, maintenance gaps and data protection risks.
In an interview with TIMES of Bangladesh’s Mahfuz Ullah Babu, Saadi Shohid, joint secretary of the Electronics Safety and Security Association of Bangladesh (ESSAB) and managing director of Growth Technologies, said AI has transformed surveillance, but many buyers still prioritise price over quality.
“Technological advancement is happening every day,” Shohid said, adding that surveillance systems have evolved from simple recording devices into tools for traffic analysis, access control and enforcement.
Traffic cameras can detect vehicle speeds through machine-readable systems, making violations harder to avoid. Shohid cited the 300 Feet road in Bashundhara, where drivers increasingly follow signals even at night after AI cameras and signal lights were introduced.
“It is a blessing that we are becoming accustomed to following road rules and regulations. This has happened because of technology.”
Large corporations, multinational companies and development organisations already use advanced surveillance and tracking systems, though adoption among local businesses remains limited.
Modern security solutions include video analytics, tracking, access control and alarm systems. Access-control technology records who entered a building, when they entered and whose authorisation was used. Banks use fire and intrusion alarms as mandatory security measures, while garment factories are also adopting similar systems.
More data, greater privacy risks
Connected security systems are generating larger volumes of data.
“With network connectivity, any device or hardware can be tracked through a barcode or an installed tracking device. Every piece of information can be stored in a database.”
Vehicle tracking systems can record locations, stops, fuel consumption and restart times, improving efficiency but raising privacy concerns.
Shohid said users need clarity on whether data is stored locally, in the cloud or through a vendor’s cloud service.
The issue is significant because Bangladesh imports most security technologies, making data governance a key concern.
Cheap systems can defeat security
ESSAB receives complaints about grey-market and counterfeit products as well as poorly maintained systems.
“Many times, we want good products but do not want to pay the right price. This creates compromises.”
Shohid said fire incidents involving non-functional safety systems and the unplugged camera example show how poor maintenance can neutralise security equipment.
Banks remain major users because security systems are mandatory, deploying motion, door, vibration and sound sensors.
Homes emerge as growth market
Security technology is increasingly entering homes as families spend more time outside and seek to monitor children and elderly relatives.
Shohid estimated that more than 50 per cent of homes in the capital now have integrated cameras, with adoption potentially reaching almost all households within one to three years as awareness grows.
A camera is only one component of a security system, which also requires cables, a recorder and storage.
A basic four- to six-camera setup provides standard coverage, while a 10-camera package costs around Tk5 lakh. Standard products cost Tk80,000-Tk90,000, while premium systems are more expensive.
Shohid said security equipment is not merely a luxury, noting that some systems can also detect hazards such as gas leaks.
Basic products typically last around five years, while quality equipment can operate for 10 years or more. Some wireless sensors can last up to 10 years on battery power.
Physical security gains a cyber layer
As security systems become connected, cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important for banks, large corporations and fast-moving consumer goods companies handling sensitive customer data.
Solutions are becoming modular, integrating server security, access controls and IT audits into a single dashboard.
“Price should not be the first consideration. The main issue is choosing the right product for the required service.”
ESSAB encourages businesses to use genuine products instead of copied or non-branded alternatives.
“Authentic products reduce the possibility of customers being cheated.”
Local production faces tariff barriers
ESSAB is encouraging domestic manufacturing of security equipment. One member produces fire-extinguisher cylinders and operates gas-refilling and ABC powder facilities, while smaller initiatives are also emerging.
The association has discussed HS codes and taxation issues with the National Board of Revenue.
He said policy support was needed for local production, while high tariffs on imported electronic devices remained a challenge.
“If we import an electronic device in completely built-up condition, the rate is roughly 57 per cent,” Shohid said.
ESSAB has sought changes to VAT, tax, tariff and duty structures and simpler HS-code classification for security products.
