New Delhi, Sep 10 (IANS): Non-profit organization Security Watch India organised their seventh "Secure Cities" forum here on Thursday, showcasing latest technology in the homeland security sector.

The event, which saw the participation of government officials, was inaugurated by former army chief, Gen. J.J.Singh (retd.), while the keynote address was delivered by Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi, Security Watch said in a release.

"The task of protecting people and assets is multifaceted and this conference presents a vast canvas to address some of the concerns," Gen. Singh said in his address.

Speaking about the importance of this initiative, Lekhi said: "The private sector is a national asset, which needs to be protected in addition to public facilities.

"Proper and certified skill training is imperative and there is a need to change the definition of security personnel from unskilled labour."

"We are looking for smart cities that are safe. For this it is imperative to build the security component into smart cities," said defence analyst and Security Watch mentor Maroof Raza.

The NGO also gave away awards to law enforcement organizations and initiatives that have done exemplary and innovative work in enhancing the level of the country's internal security, it said.