The development of civil security technologies is now a priority of research support in the European Union: The EU has earmarked a total of 1.4 billion euro for civil security research in the period 2007 to 2013. Security research is now firmly anchored in the EU's Seventh Research Framework Programme. "In our technology-driven world, research for civil security is becoming increasingly important for securing the freedom of citizens in Europe", said the German Federal Research Minister Annette Schavan in Berlin on Monday, when she opened the European Security Research Conference together with the EU Commissioners Günter Verheugen (Enterprise and Industry) and Franco Frattini (Justice, Freedom and Security). "We must protect against the hazards of terrorism, crime and natural disasters and at the same time consolidate freedom and the rule of law", Schavan added.
"Internal security has also become a central topic for researchers", said the Minister. Even minor disturbances can have serious consequences in today's highly complex technical infrastructures. During the two-day conference organized within the framework of the German EU Council Presidency, 1000 international experts from science, business and politics as well as security-relevant authorities and network operators will be discussing the concepts, ideas and programmes for civil security research in the European Union.
A new body has been established which is to promote knowledge transfer in the area of security research: the European Security Research and Innovation Forum (ESRIF). Between 50 and 70 experts will be appointed as members of this strategy forum. The establishment of ESRIF was initiated by a group of six member states including Germany, France, Sweden, the Netherlands, Austria and Great Britain. "Any security policy has a strong national dimension. The findings of transborder security research need to be implemented by the individual states", said Schavan. The task of the Forum is therefore to provide advice for the main actors.
Beside the research investments made by the European Union, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has launched its own security research programme: The BMBF will provide 123 million euro for civil security research over the next four years. The research activities are to focus on specific threat scenarios. Security research includes not only the natural and engineering sciences but also the humanities and social sciences. They will contribute to the development of the threat scenarios and to improving our understanding of the causes of terrorism and crime.
The aim is to develop new technologies which will support the work of rescue staff. These technologies should enable rescue workers to become active at an early stage, to be able to communicate across national borders and to improve their own protection. Computer science, sociology, microsystems and medicine are to contribute to the automation of operational planning in the event of crisis so that stress can be minimized for rescue staff. The new programme involves users of new security solutions in the research and development process. Government and industry are cooperating in research consortiums as 80 percent of all security-relevant infrastructures are operated by private agencies. This BMBF programme forms part of the High-tech Strategy for Germany and will strengthen the German security sector. It will also enhance Germany's competitiveness and technological leadership in specific security technologies. Security is the basis of a globally growing market which has an annual volume of 10 billion euro in Germany alone.
The first two calls for proposals under the German programme will be published in the Bundesanzeiger. One call will deal with the protection of traffic infrastructures. The other will be addressed to researchers who are developing new technologies for the detection of chemical, biological, nuclear, radiological and explosive substances hazardous to human health.
For further information on European research policy and the German EU Council Presidency please visit www.bmbf.de and www.eu2007.de.
