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Security technologies: Challenges and objectives
Organized crime, terrorist attacks perpetrated by extremists, the spread of weapons of mass destruction, political conflicts, and the collapse of states all represent potential dangers for Germany. Natural and environmental disasters also a pose considerable risks. Well-known examples include the storm Kyrill, which brought traffic to a standstill across the country, or the Europe-wide power outage caused by a damaged cable near the river Ems.
Germany's highly efficient infrastructures are strongly networked and highly automated - which also makes them sensitive and vulnerable. The Federal Government aims to provide the highest possible level of security. For example, appropriate provisions have been introduced to prevent hazardous substances from being brought into the country and food and drinking water from being polluted with harmful substances. Environmental disasters and large-scale accidents need to be prevented whenever possible; if they ever do occur, the damage needs to be contained. Safe air and rail travel should be a matter of course.
With the help of civil security research, the Federal Government wants to develop concepts to safeguard the freedom of citizens in our modern industrialized society as effectively as possible. Supply systems (energy, drinking water, etc.), information and communication technologies, traffic, health care and the financial system require special protection. With the help of new security concepts and innovative technologies, the Federal Government wants to ensure that Germany remains one of the safest countries in the world.
Civil Security Research: twofold benefit
In addition to protecting society from risks, security technology products and services also boost the economy. In 2005, the security sector had a sales volume of ten billion euros in Germany alone; 3.6 billion euros (and growing) in the field of IT security. According to the OECD, growth rates of up to 8 percent per year are possible in the global market. In other words, security technologies provide international competitive advantages and are a real lead market.
The Federal Government wants to open up these markets with its security research programme, which forms part of the High-Tech Strategy. Demand for security-relevant products and services creates new jobs and increases the competitiveness of the German economy.
Current situation and outlook
Changed security risks call for new approaches, and the Federal Government has recognized security research as one of the main areas in which new solutions are needed. The High-Tech Strategy is producing new, demand-oriented security solutions based on research and development.
New programmatic approach
The Federal Government has launched the "Research for Civil Security" programme to improve the protection of citizens. In order to be able to gear research towards joint objectives and develop security concepts that can be applied in practice, the security research programme includes all disciplines in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences for the first time ever. (http://www.bmbf.de/en/6293.php)
Demand-oriented research, practice-oriented concepts
In order to link research to demand and facilitate the transition of research results to practical applications, the authorities responsible for security, such as the Federal Criminal Police Office, and security and emergency services, the future end users of the solutions, are involved in the projects. The ministries responsible for the relevant policy areas are involved in the security research programme under the leadership of the BMBF.
Research into complex security scenarios is at the focus of the programme. "Scenario-based security research" addresses a wide range of different issues:
- What is the best way to provide security at large-scale events?
- How can security be increased in public transportation systems (rail, urban passenger transport)?
- How can the far-reaching follow-on effects (cascade effects) that events such as power outages have on the infrastructure be avoided?
In addition, the Federal Government supports research into the "social dimension" of civil security in the form of projects focusing on society's security culture and the institutional security architecture. Those involved in these research groups look into interdisciplinary issues in the context of societal prerequisites and the potential consequences of security technology on society. The solutions that are developed are ethically acceptable and transparent to the public. Germany plays an internationally leading role in this area.
Targeted initiatives: successful results
The security research programme has already generated its first successes. Thanks to the positive response, the private sector has provided approximately 41 million euros for 42 collaborative projects in addition to government funding.
The development of detectors is a priority research area. Portable analysis kits or mini-labs can help detect explosives, weapons, toxins and pathogens promptly and on location. In addition, computer simulations, behaviour analyses and field tests enable researchers to develop automatic early warning and evacuation systems. In this way, large crowds of people can be evacuated from buildings, stadiums or metros in an orderly way, without panic reactions.
Project example
Evacuation from the metro in an emergency - innovations for fire and rescue services
An emergency in the metro: What exactly happened? Is anybody hurt? Do the fire brigade and rescue services have access to the site of the emergency, or are there toxic gases in the tunnel and the neighbouring stations?
One of the greatest challenges of rescue operations in metros is restricted access to the site of the emergency. At present, it is almost impossible at the time of the rescue operation to know whether hazardous substances have been released during the accident or attack.
In the project "OrGaMIR", researchers from the University of Paderborn and partners from science and industry, metro operators and fire services are analysing new methods through which important information can in future be obtained at an earlier stage.
The aim is to carry out evacuations more quickly, safely and effectively. Potential interference with the local transportation system by hazardous substances and their diffusion need to be measured and calculated promptly. The results can help give passengers life-saving instructions and provide important information for rescue services to help them carry out security measures.
Supporting and protecting the free exchange of goods
For Germany as an export world champion, the subject of "securing commodity chains" is particularly important. This funding area is currently in preparation.
Research and innovation can help build a bridge between profitability and security. After all, protecting the free exchange of goods in a comprehensive manner should not lead to additional burdens, price increases or economic deceleration. The security research programme takes this into account by supporting the call "Securing commodity chains", which is also integrated into the "Master Plan for Freight Transport and Logistics". In this area, the movement of goods can profit from German know-how.
Creating new networks for innovation
Functioning networks between end users, industry and science are the basis for successfully translating research results into practical and marketable products and processes. That is why innovation platforms are being established as a new instrument in civil security research. They offer all those involved or interested in security research a forum for dialogue and help build up networks between research, industry and public authorities. The first innovation platform for the "Protection of traffic infrastructures" was launched in September 2008. Further innovation platforms will follow shortly.
Expert committee advises Federal Government
In order to attain the highest possible levels of quality, the Federal Government has appointed an independent expert committee to implement the research programme. The Scientific Programme Board for Security Research consists of leading representatives from science, research, industry, politics and administration. Their interdisciplinary expert opinion has the aim of ensuring that security research is balanced in terms of content and objectives. A further aim is to network German and European activities.
International research alliances strengthen all sides
Security is an international concern, so one of the aims of the security research programme is to form international research alliances and help structure the European security architecture. The foundations for this were laid in the 7th EU Research Framework Programme. In the period from 2007 to 2013, a total of 1.4 billion euros will be spent on research funding in the field of security. The National Contact Point (NKS) for Security Research was established in January 2007 to facilitate access to European collaborative projects. It offers advice on EU research funding opportunities.
The first intergovernmental agreement with the new US administration on transatlantic cooperation in security research was concluded on 16 March 2009. In it, the Federal Republic of Germany and the United States of America agreed to work together closely in the areas of science and technology. This collaboration will benefit joint transatlantic security interests. The topics include security in air traffic and in modern information technology (IT).
Project example
Tsunami early warning system: a milestone in international disaster prevention
In future, people in Indonesia will be able to protect themselves more effectively against natural disasters. The tsunami early warning system developed by the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) in Potsdam went into operation in November 2008. The Federal Government provided 51 million euros in funding for this project.
The system consists of numerous components such as seismometers, GPS stations, tide gauges, ocean bottom pressure sensors and buoys. In the event of an earthquake, the data from these instruments is transmitted to the control centre via satellite, where computers can calculate the danger potential within minutes. On this basis, authorities can then warn the population quickly and reliably. In future, this technology can also be used in at-risk areas in the Mediterranean and North Atlantic.
The final hand-over of the system to Indonesia is to take place in 2010. Until then, the technology will be optimized and qualified staff will be trained.
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