SCIM Visit to Sutherland Global Services, Chennai

On 23rd December 2025, Postgraduate Diploma in Security, Corporate, and Intelligence Management students, along with faculty member Mr. Sharuhasan, AP, visited Sutherland Global Services in Chennai. The educational visit to Sutherland, a US-headquartered digital transformation and BPO organization, provided practical exposure to integrated physical and cyber security operations. The company follows a layered and technology-driven security framework supported by a 24/7 Security Command Centre, advanced access control systems, and automated fire and safety infrastructure. Strong emphasis is placed on crisis management, employee safety, and data protection through role-based access, surveillance systems, and structured emergency response protocols.

Key Observations

• Layered Security Framework: Building security functions as a protective shell, beginning at the perimeter with bollards to mitigate vehicle threats and extending inward to controlled entry points using flap barriers and optical turnstiles to restrict access to authorised personnel only.

• Centralized Monitoring: All security operations are managed from the Security Command Centre (SCC), where operators utilize CCTV surveillance and advanced video analytics to monitor all areas of the facility in real-time. 

• Fire & Safety Infrastructure: Safety systems are anchored by the Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) and the fire pump system. In high-sensitivity areas such as the Data Server Room, smoke and heat sensors provide early warning by detecting potential fire incidents at the initial stage.

• Emergency Response & Evacuation: When an incident is detected, the FACP identifies the exact floor and zone, enabling the Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Crisis Management Team (CMT) to guide occupants safely through clearly marked evacuation routes.

Key Learnings

• Strategic Security Operations: Protecting People, Data, and AssetsCentralized monitoring through a Security Command Centre using CCTV and video analytics.Adaptive Security Standards for BPO Operations
• Visitor Management & Access Control Enhancements
• Technology-Driven Security Infrastructure.
• Controlled Access and Authorization
• Automated Fire Safety and Emergency Detection.
• Structured Crisis Management and Employee Safety
• Continuous Monitoring and Threat Detection
• Automated Fire and Safety Systems
• Employee Awareness and Protocol Compliance

The visit offered valuable insights into how corporate organizations balance data privacy, life safety, and operational continuity through integrated security practices. Sutherland’s security framework functions as a strong “protective shell,” effectively balancing data protection with life safety.