U.K. government looks to private sector, academia for help on security
U.K. Home Office organize a meeting of 150 scientists, venture capitalists, chief executives, and academics to exchange ideas on new capabilities and future research priorities in the figh against terrorism
The U.K. senior scientific, policy and technology experts in counterterrorism and security met last week in London to discuss how they could maximize efforts to protect the public. In response to the home secretary’s call to foster greater levels of public-private partnerships in counterterrorism, 150 scientists, venture capitalists, chief executives, and academics exchanged ideas on new capabilities and future research priorities. The meeting was organised by the Resilience Industry Suppliers Council (RISC). “The U.K. faces an unprecedented and evolving threat,” said Lord West, Home Office minister for security and counterterrorism. “By working together, government, academia and industry can ensure that science and innovation contributes fully to the U.K.’s counterterrorist effort. In doing so, we will combat the threat more effectively, improve our resilience and reduce the risk from terrorist attack.”
The meeting focused on three main policy areas: Innovative counterterrorism science and research to stay ahead of adversaries; analytical use of horizon scanning to anticipate future terrorist threats; and exploitation of research to deliver more agile solutions to security services. The U.K. government committed to a policy of closer partnership with industry and academia in the U.K. Security and Counter-Terrorism Science and Innovation Strategy, launched by the home secretary in June 2007. The hope is that this collaboration between the new Office of Security and Counter-Terrorism of the Home Office and RISC will lead to deeper engagement between commercial and government scientists on long-term counter-terrorism and security issues.
