Agenda for security research set out

ESRIF was set up in September 2007 to bring together all the private, public and government bodies with an interest in research related to security, to agree a common framework for research. Its interim report, released this week is intended to stimulate debate to feed into the final agenda, to be published this time next year.

There is €2.1 billion available for security research in Framework Programme 7 and further €1.4 billion in the European Union’s Enterprise and Industry budget. National governments are also making significant investments.

Gijs de Vries, chair of ESRIF, said economies of scale are needed to ensure the money is spent effectively. “Greater coordination of national and EU-financed research efforts will be required, as well as greater efforts at EU-wide standardisation and certification.”

The aim is not only to enhance security, but also to foster competition in the European security industry. The ESRIF has given itself a very broad brief, considering security risks ranging from organised crime and money laundering, to terrorism and radicalisation, natural disasters and global warming.

ESRIF’s report was launched at the European Security Research conference held in Paris this week. Addressing the conference, EU Vice President Günter Verheugen, who is responsible for enterprise and industry policy including security research said, “Security research can give us the tools to enhance security while preserving our liberties. We must enhance security but we must also avoid ‘big brother is watching you’ solutions.”