SITC - Security Innovation & Technology Consortium
New UK Counter Terrorism Science and Technology Strategy
As part of the UK Government’s new Science and Technology Counter Terrorism Strategy scientists are being asked to come forward with state-of-the-art ideas that could be used to identify new threats and develop ways to counter the challenges we face from international terrorism.
The three-year strategy aims to:
- Understand future threats and opportunities
- Develop effective solutions
- Work with the UK's international partners on counter terrorism-related science and technology
Alongside the strategy, an 'Ideas and Innovation' brochure has been produced for science and technology experts, to put them in touch with key contacts (the strategy and brochure are attached below).
The strategy and accompanying brochure set out key challenges and invite commercial experts to get in touch to see if they can work towards meeting the operational needs of the wider counter-terrorism community as well as our traditional partners such as the police, military and security services.
The strategy has three principle objectives:
- To use horizon scanning to understand future scientific and technical threats and opportunities and inform our decision making on counter-terrorism
- To ensure the development and delivery of effective counter-terrorism solutions by identifying and sharing priority science and technology requirements.
- To enhance international collaboration on counter-terrorism related science and technology.
The brochure sets out some of the challenges faced by Government:
- Reducing the vulnerability of crowded places
- Protecting the national infrastructure
- Protecting against cyber terrorism
- Improving analytical tools
- The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
It also describes some of the key technologies critical to counter-terrorism:
- Knowledge management
- Biometrics
- Screening
- Physical protection
- Countering improvised explosive devices
And it explains who to contact for more information and advice.