Enhanced security against terrorist attacks
The European CBRNE Center is a Swedish research consortium. It conducts advanced studies of societal security and vulnerability related to major incidents involving chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) substances. The EU-funded 'Road-mapping study of CBRNE demonstrator' (CBRNEMAP) project will lead to a plan for the development of technologies and systems needed for an optimised demonstration programme. The programme will be based on a concept development and experimentation (CD&E) approach. The project is evaluating events leading up to, during and after a CBRNE terrorist incident as well as the potential roles of various sectors, including law enforcement, civil protection, rescue and health. It also incorporates practical processes relating to border control and mass transit. Scientists defined end-user requirements through a series of workshops, questionnaires and stakeholder engagement. They then conducted a comprehensive review of available CBRNE science and technology (S&T) investments. Gaps between the two were identified, leading to elaboration of promising solutions and the necessary research to achieve them. Specifically, CBRNEMAP recommended three demonstrator objects consisting of a responder to CBRNE, a protect function and an enabler, and illustrating the importance of a system-of-systems in CBRNE counter-terrorism. The first demonstrator, response, was defined by its desired high-level effects, namely prevention and saving of lives. It seeks to improve the efficiency and precision of communication and thus of command, decision making and control. The protect function demonstrator focuses on threatened societal functions such as mass transport, mass gatherings and political infrastructure. Mapping relied on interviews with appropriate representatives as no partners were active in these areas. The last demonstrator, enabler, was included following internal discussions among CBRNEMAP partners. The group of activities, a system-of-systems, focuses on optimising counter-terrorism capabilities by filling gaps between needs and available resources and processes. CBRNEMAP is developing a technological roadmap for investments in research and technology development leading to the realisation of three demonstrators for CBRNE counter-terrorism. While the likelihood of CBRNE incidents is small, the potential destruction is significant. Effective counter-measures such as these will be critical to health and safety.