Security

Researchers examined the quality and effects of EU criminal intelligence. Europe is involved in the practice, but efforts are fragmented and uncooperative; such work may breach presumptions of innocence and is not recommended as trial evidence.

EU-funded research has promoted dialogue between detection technology manufacturers and counter-terrorism law enforcement officials who use this technology. The initiative helps to better align counter-terrorism activities with human rights and ethical standards.

Copernicus services for security applications are approaching operational maturity, but progress in the areas of governance and data security policy slow down the transition from pre-operational to operational services. An EU project strove to remove this obstacle by developing models for effective governance of this facility.

An EU research project has investigated the underlying causes of avalanches, hoping to improve avalanche prediction methods.

Growth of microorganisms in aircraft fuel tanks can block the flow of fuel and cause corrosion, affecting both safety and maintenance costs. Novel antimicrobial coatings could solve the problem simply and effectively.

Balancing security and privacy in video surveillance poses several challenges. An EU-funded initiative developed a novel video surveillance system to automatically, accurately and reliably determine relevant information and securely erase unimportant data.

Coastal lowlands are threatened by processes affecting land elevation as well as mean sea level. EU-funded scientists have expanded the European Earth observation (EO) programme Copernicus to include a module that pieces together the relative motions of the two environments to assess land subsidence hazards.

Aircraft safety requirements are among the most stringent around. Advanced fibre optic structural health monitoring (SHM) technologies will support aircraft safety while significantly reducing maintenance and operating costs.

Existing smoke detectors have several drawbacks. An EU initiative is developing cutting-edge technology to improve fire detection for these units.

An EU team studied change, identity and leadership of policing in Europe. Interviews and surveys from 10 countries with more than 10.000 police officers, representatives of the public and the media provided insights into the factors that shape change effectiveness in police organizations; the project also documented case studies and best practices.

An EU-funded project facilitated the transition of Copernicus security services from a pre-operational stage to operation. European citizens will benefit from the enhancement of services providing early warnings of natural hazards and supporting the management of humanitarian crises and violent conflicts.

An EU team is developing enhancements for maritime border surveillance systems. The work unifies European national systems, improving automated detection of suspicious or abnormal vessel patterns and offering extended threat detection.

EU funding has supported the development of a comprehensive and targeted alerting tool for optimal communication during crisis situations, and the development of tools for simulating the effect of alerts on the target population. The project accounted for both situational context and socio-cultural characteristics of the intended population.

Un grupo de la Unión Europea ha unido sus fuerzas para garantizar los sistemas de control de infraestructuras críticas (IC) frente a futuros ciberataques. Los sistemas integrados se basan en el uso de nuevas metodologías y arquitecturas de software, y mejoran la detección y la respuesta ante amenazas.

An EU group is helping to secure critical infrastructure (CI) control systems against future cyberattacks. The integrated systems will rely on new methodologies and software architectures, providing improved threat detection and response.

An EU-study assessed safety in European underground tourist attractions. The solution is a safety monitoring system, consisting of sensors and transmitter nodes, providing visitors with safety updates.

The industrialised world relies on safe and secure data transmission for proper functioning of critical infrastructure. New technology to assess and alleviate the rising threat of intentional high-power signal interference will make a major contribution.

Standardised European rail equipment makes it easy to attack the network. A European study assessed likely forms of electromagnetic (EM) attack, and is devising protective solutions involving reliable communications architecture and a management system.

An EU-funded project is bridging the gap between user needs and air transportation systems suitable for emergency usage and last mile rescue. The team considered options in terms of different scenarios, especially those involving dual usage, and addressed certification and regulation issues.

Satellite remote sensing data can be used to help prevent forest fires in the Mediterranean region of Europe, thanks to an EU-funded project.

Europe's rich cultural heritage forms an important part of its identity, and cultural heritage monitoring helps to preserve it. New portable technology for automated spectrographic and surface assessment advances the state of the art.

Only a quarter of all buses and coaches sold yearly or in use in the EU are equipped with fire protection systems. An EU initiative is creating intelligent detection technology to achieve a high level of protection for passengers.

A variety of new sensors can help enhance the safety and security of public places and key infrastructure sites. An EU initiative developed novel technology to assist emergency crews in the availability of relevant information.

An EU team is reducing the risks posed by home-made bombs. The tools include four new neutralisation options, and several solutions that mitigate damage in the event of an explosion.

On-field communication systems used by emergency service personnel are key to maintaining or restoring security and safety during or after a crisis. An EU initiative embedded the latest radio technology into wireless communication systems for dealing with crisis situations.