SECURITY TODAY interacted with Mr. Sachin Chadha, Country Head – India & South Asia, Suprema Inc., the South Korea-based leader in intelligent access control and physical security solutions. In this interview, he discusses the market trends shaping the industry’s future, the growing role of AI-driven identity and access management, and how innovation, strong partnerships and local expertise are driving Suprema’s growth and vision for the region.
You have led businesses across India for some of the world’s leading security organizations and now head Suprema across India and South Asia. What leadership principles have been central to your success in these diverse markets?
The security industry across India and South Asia has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade. Rapid urbanisation, digitalisation, expansion of critical infrastructure and growing awareness of identity management have made this one of the world’s most dynamic security markets.
Throughout my career, my approach has been guided by four principles.
The first is customer-centricity. Technology creates value only when it addresses a customer’s business challenge. Whether we are working with airports, banks, manufacturing facilities, data centres or enterprise campuses, our objective is to understand operational requirements and deliver measurable business outcomes.
The second is building strong partnerships. Success in South Asia depends on trusted relationships with distributors, system integrators, consultants and technology partners. A capable ecosystem enables consistent customer support while allowing the business to scale effectively.
Third is continuous innovation. Customer expectations are evolving rapidly, and organisations increasingly expect security solutions that are intelligent, scalable and integrated with their broader business operations. Companies that continue to innovate will remain competitive.
Finally, people make the difference. Sustainable growth requires talented local teams, strong technical expertise and the ability to execute market-specific strategies. Empowering people to take ownership has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my leadership journey.
Perhaps the biggest lesson I have learned is that India and South Asia cannot be viewed as a single market. Each country has its own regulatory environment, buying behaviour and pace of technology adoption. Global best practices are important, but success ultimately depends on strong local execution.
India’s security industry is evolving rapidly. Which market trends do you believe will define the next phase of growth, and how is Suprema positioning itself to capitalise on these opportunities?
The industry has reached an important turning point. Security is no longer viewed simply as a compliance requirement or a cost centre. Increasingly, organisations recognise identity and access management as strategic tools that improve operational efficiency, business continuity and digital transformation.
I believe five sectors will drive the next phase of growth: critical infrastructure and transportation, data centres and digital infrastructure, smart buildings and enterprise campuses, manufacturing and industrial automation, and the convergence of physical and digital identity. These sectors are investing in technologies that deliver stronger security while creating better user experiences and more efficient operations.
Another important trend is the growing demand for open, interoperable solutions. Customers increasingly expect security platforms to integrate seamlessly with enterprise applications, building management systems, video management platforms and identity governance solutions, allowing them to maximise existing investments rather than operate isolated systems.
Suprema is aligning its strategy with these market developments by focusing on intelligent identity and access management solutions that combine high levels of security with operational simplicity. At the same time, we continue to strengthen our local presence across India and South Asia by expanding technical capabilities, customer engagement and market support to meet the growing requirements of enterprise and critical infrastructure customers.
Technologies such as AI-powered biometrics, cloud platforms and mobile credentials are gaining traction globally. How ready are the Indian and South Asian markets to adopt these innovations?
The adoption of advanced security technologies has accelerated significantly across India and South Asia over the past few years. While the region was once regarded as highly price-sensitive, customers today are placing much greater emphasis on business outcomes, operational efficiency, cybersecurity and user experience.
Adoption, however, varies across market segments. Large enterprises, airports, BFSI organisations, data centres and critical infrastructure operators are leading the way, investing in AI-driven identity verification, touchless authentication and centrally managed security platforms. SMEs, on the other hand, continue to adopt new technologies more gradually, balancing innovation with budget considerations and legacy infrastructure.
One of the biggest shifts since the pandemic has been the growing acceptance of touchless security. Organisations increasingly prefer authentication methods that enhance both convenience and security while reducing operational friction. Similarly, cloud and hybrid deployment models are gaining popularity among businesses seeking to manage multiple locations more efficiently.
Accelerating adoption requires more than introducing new technology. It demands education, practical demonstrations of business value and close collaboration with customers to help them understand the long-term operational and security benefits. As awareness grows, we expect adoption across the region to accelerate further.
Channel partners, system integrators and consultants play a critical role in security projects. How has Suprema built its partner ecosystem across India and South Asia?
Partnerships have always been central to our growth strategy. In a diverse and relationship-driven region like India and South Asia, long-term success depends on treating partners as an extension of the organisation rather than simply as a sales channel.
Our partner programme is built on four principles: trust, transparency, capability development and profitability. We invest in training, technical enablement and business support so that partners are well equipped to deliver value throughout the customer lifecycle. When our partners grow, we grow with them.
Consultants are equally important, particularly in large and mission-critical projects where they influence technology selection at an early stage. We therefore engage closely with consultants and industry influencers to ensure they are familiar with Suprema’s capabilities and our latest innovations.
Technology partnerships are another key focus. Today’s customers expect integrated solutions rather than standalone products, so we work closely with software developers, video management providers, identity management specialists and other technology partners to deliver interoperable solutions that address increasingly complex customer requirements.
Ultimately, our objective is to create an ecosystem in which customers, partners and Suprema all benefit through long-term collaboration and shared success.
The biometric and access control market is becoming increasingly competitive. Beyond technology, what differentiates Suprema, and how do you intend to sustain that advantage?
The biometric and access control market has become far more competitive over the past decade. Customers today have a wide choice of products and solution providers, so differentiation extends well beyond product specifications. Long-term success depends on the ability to combine innovation with trust, reliability and consistent execution.
One of Suprema’s greatest strengths is its relentless focus on innovation. We have consistently invested in technologies that enhance both security and user experience, enabling organisations to adopt identity-centric security strategies that are scalable, secure and future-ready.
Equally important is our open-platform philosophy. Modern security environments are no longer standalone systems, they must integrate seamlessly with video management, visitor management, identity governance, building management and enterprise applications. Customers value flexibility and interoperability, allowing them to protect existing investments while adapting to changing business needs.
Another differentiator is the confidence customers place in our solutions. Mission-critical environments demand more than advanced technology, they require dependable performance, robust cybersecurity and long-term support. Building that trust through consistent delivery has been instrumental in strengthening our position across the region.
Ultimately, our ambition is to be recognised not merely as a technology provider, but as a trusted partner that helps organisations create safer, smarter and more connected environments.
Looking back at your journey with Suprema, what achievements are you most proud of, and what is your vision for the business over the next three to five years?
My journey with Suprema has been both exciting and rewarding, as we transit through a period of significant transformation in the security industry. I am particularly proud of how we strengthened the business during a period of organisational transition while maintaining the confidence of our customers, partners and employees.
Another important achievement has been expanding our market presence through stronger engagement with distributors, system integrators, consultants and end users. We have also invested in building local capabilities by strengthening our sales, pre-sales and technical support teams, establishing the Suprema India Sales Office and Experience Centre, and creating a high-performance culture focused on customer success.
Looking ahead, I believe India and South Asia will become one of Suprema’s most strategic growth regions globally. The increasing demand for intelligent identity and access management solutions presents tremendous opportunities across critical infrastructure, enterprise, manufacturing and digital infrastructure.
Our priority will be to deepen our presence in these high-growth sectors while expanding our software and platform business, strengthening strategic technology partnerships and continuing to invest in local talent and customer support.
My vision is clear; to establish Suprema as one of the region’s most trusted and respected identity and access management brands, recognised not only for technology leadership but also for innovation, customer experience and execution excellence.
