The surge in "tiger" kidnappings and a desire to protect increasingly valuable homes and assets has led many wealthy individuals to invest huge sums in high-tech security and protection systems.

Security firm Netwatch provides remote 24-hour visual monitoring security systems to businesses, but increasingly, the people behind the businesses want to install the systems in their private residences as well.

"Violent attacks and kidnapping is a major concern for some of our clients, many of whom are out of the country for extended periods while their families remain at home," says David Walsh, co-founder of Netwatch.

Some of Netwatch's Irish clients have spent up to €€500,000 for a complete security system to cover a number of private residences that they own around the world. However, the average cost of installing a security system for smaller properties is a more reasonable €€20,000. Netwatch also provides a panic solution to prevent abduction attempts. This involves installing a mobile panic device at the person's residence.

This can also be used as a personal attack device.

"The unit is worn on the body . . . and when activated, Netwatch can open up . . . audio channels to listen in and assess the situation," Walsh says. Netwatch can also locate the person using satellite tracking technology.

These mobile panic devices can also be used to protect assets such as cars or boats.

"We often protect assets such as helicopters," he adds. "The danger here is not so much the fact that the helicopter will be stolen, but damage or vandalism which would compromise the safety of it."

Another high-tech product which is proving popular with safety-conscious high net-worth individuals is the Netwatch Buried Sensor Cable (NBSC) which can be installed around the entire perimeter of a property.

"For example, we protect the home of a well-known businessperson in Ireland whose property perimeter is 1.4km in circumference, with a lake and road to the front," Walsh says.

"NBSC allows us to detect an intruder at any point of the perimeter at any time of the day. On detection, we issue personalised audio warnings to deter them and let them know that we are watching them."

Netwatch has also installed panic rooms in some of their clients' homes, complete with alternative communication systems. These typically cost between €€25,000 to €€100,000.

Security firm Praetorian provides chauffeur security services to a number of wealthy clients on its books.

In these cases the chauffeur is a trained "close protection officer", or bodyguard. According to Praetorian, "it's the tiger kidnap element" that is driving the demand for this kind of service.