Brussels, 28/09/2010 (Agence Europe) - As it does every year, the Security Research Conference (SRC 10) provided a meeting place for European and national institutional players, researchers and industry representatives to discuss current development projects and the future of the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Development (FPRD) “security research” thematic programme.
During the conference, which took place in Ostend on 22-23 September, European Commission Vice-President with responsibility for Industry Antonio Tajani noted that we have reached the mid-point in the FPRD (2007-2014). “So far, the Commission has provided funding for over 130 security research projects totalling more than €500 million, a little over one third of the €1.4 billion allocated under the 'security' heading for the seven years of the programme,” he said. These projects relate to the security of public transport, detection of explosives, tackling narcotics, protective equipment for those providing assistance, and more. With energy distribution, for example, interconnected and highly dependent on computerised systems which are “regularly subjected to cyber-terrorist attack”, Tajani called for protection of the critical systems to be strengthened. Noting that “the internal market in security is weakened by the fragmentation into different national markets”, he said it was “of crucial importance to enhance the competitiveness of the European security industry so that swift and lasting access to the most recent technology is ensured”. He intends, as part of the EUROPE 2020 strategy, to develop a “European industrial policy for the security market”. A communication is expected to be published before the end of 2011. This communication will highlight innovation, standard setting and certification, pre-commercial public procurement and synergies with defence.
European Internal Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström stressed the huge need for research in combating chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) agents, automatic detection of borders, combating explosives and anti-terrorism. As a former researcher herself, she said she was well aware of the heavy administrative burden on researchers and she pledged to support simplification of the rules for taking part in the framework programme. She also promised to fight for an increase in funding for security research in the next FPRD.
EU Anti-Terrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove stressed that internal and external security of the EU were not separate, but components of the same whole. Among areas where there was room for improvement, he mentioned access to PNR-type data on persons as part of the fight against terrorism and crime, and the development of resilience in cyberspace. He said, too, that concerns over protection of privacy had to be taken into account from the start of any new project and he suggested that a European security label be put in place to ensure that privacy is respected. (O.J./transl.rt)