Feature

Counter Terror Expo

Evolving international resilience to terror activity

Over 10,000 security professionals will visit Security & Counter Terror Expo in April to learn about the critical issues defining the future of international security. Counter Terror Business looks ahead to the biggest show in the counter terror calendar.

Security & Counter Terror Expo returns in 2016 with a programme created to help those tasked with keeping nations, assets and businesses safe. Over recent years, there have been significant developments in international terrorism with attacks being carried out globally. The threat is constantly evolving and is at a significantly high level worldwide. Following recent events in Europe, the issue of national security and counter terrorism is at the top of government agendas.

Security & Counter Terror Expo will reflect these developments, with the most comprehensive showcase of cutting‑edge technology and exploration of the latest strategies. The event has an increased focus on uniting domestic and international professionals, and will include a host of features that will benefit those working in both the public and private sectors.

The 2015 event attracted over 9,000 visitors from both the UK and internationally. This saw representation from 80 countries, a figure of 1,980 seminar and conference attendees and 300 exhibitors. Of the total number of visitors last year, 91 per cent claimed it was important or very important for them to attend the Expo, with 50 per cent of those sure they will make purchasing decisions based on what they saw and heard at the show.

Sergio Anidjar, international business development manager at Caliber-3, agreed: “Great show, really busy. First year for us, and we got a very good response. We saw quality visitors and are expecting a lot of business.”

Sadie Taylor, marketing, BMW, commented: “The show’s been fantastic. Good mix of visitors and lots of interest. We’re a first time exhibitor and it has been a good opportunity to build relationships.”

Secure capabilities
Returning to Olympia (London) from 19‑20 April 2016, it is the premier event for all professionals looking to preserve national security, protect assets and individuals against terrorism, and deliver effective security strategies.

The two-day event, aligned with the Home Office’s seven security capabilities, will showcase the latest innovations in technology, equipment and services designed to assist border control, critical national infrastructure protection, cyber security, major events, offender management, policing and counter terrorism, and the emergency services.

David Thompson, event manager, says: “The recent events across Europe remind us that the issue of security has never been more paramount. Targets are becoming more diverse, as are the methods employed by those that seek to do us harm. Terrorists will continue to adopt tactics that help them avoid detection, so the security sector as a whole must stay one step ahead by investing in new technologies and intelligence solutions that protect against current and future threats.”

Security & Counter Terror Expo serves a vital role in delivering a unique environment in which global security professionals can source the most innovative solutions to tackle terrorism. Geoquip, NEC, BAE Systems, Aselsan and Jackson’s Fencing are among the major multinational companies to exhibit at the 2016 show and will join a raft of new exhibitors. The highly popular Hosted Buyer Programme also returns, affording senior officials seeking the next generation of equipment or technology the opportunity to pre-arrange meetings with relevant vendors.

Strategies to tackle terrorism
Running alongside the exhibition, the World Counter Terror Congress programme is designed to deliver insight, analysis and perspective to current threats. It consists of an extensive and highly specialised programme of workshops, lively debates and plenary sessions developed to offer an in-depth examination of specific issues and provide a focused forum for debate.

News that ISIL is planning to set up training camps across Europe provides further evidence that the threat from extremist organisations is not abating. Terrorist groups continue to threaten civilians from all walks of life and governments are under pressure to prevent future attacks without impacting the lives of their residents.

Today, an attack can happen at any time and practically any location. In recent times, we have seen atrocities carried out in the air, on the ground and online, by groups and individuals. The threat is increasingly unpredictable and, as a result, a number of initiatives are being introduced by those tasked with keeping civilians safe.

Europol, for example, has recently announced the launch the European Counter Terror Centre to address issues such as foreign fighters, terrorist financing, digital propaganda and arms trafficking. Elsewhere, India and the Arab League announced that they will combat terrorism by developing new strategies to eliminate its sources and funding.

Meanwhile, in the UK, it was revealed that police in Scotland had found ‘knowledge gaps’ in its counter terror strategy, and was now developing counter terrorism training tools for health workers and teachers as well as its own staff.

With counter terrorism firmly in the spotlight, security professionals from across the globe will attend the annual World Counter Terror Congress. Security professionals, government officials and representatives from the emergency services in dozens of countries will use the two-day conference to discuss today’s threats and shape the world’s counter terror strategy.

World Counter Terror Congress
John Hayes, Minister of State for Security, will speak on day one of the World Counter Terror Congress, discussing ‘Extremism, border security and the UK’s international counter terror strategy’.

Hayes was appointed as Minister of State at the Department for Transport in July 2014 with responsibility for national roads, Highways Agency reform and the Infrastructure Bill, and maritime issues.

After the 2015 general election, Hayes was moved to the Home Office, being appointed Minister of State for Security, with responsibility for counter terrorism, security, serious organised crime and cyber crime, amongst other issues. Hayes will be joined by Sir Malcolm Rifkind, former UK government Foreign Secretary and chairman of the Intelligence & Security Committee of Parliament.

He commented: “The nature of the threat we face today is inherently different from that we faced even last year. Terrorist organisations are constantly evolving, using highly advanced methods to avoid detection, and the prospect of attacks like Paris, Jakarta and Istanbul happening anywhere in the world is reality. It is of paramount importance that nations work together to reduce the risk to civilians and the World Counter Terror Congress gives us a platform to do just that.”

With thousands of people, many from law abiding families, travelling to Syria, Libya and Iraq to join groups like ISIL and Al-Qaeda, a key part in developing an effective prevent strategy is gaining a greater understanding of why citizens are radicalised. Adam Deen of the Quilliam Foundation, who was a senior member of an Islamist extremist organisation, will also present at the congress.

Deen says: “Understanding the terrorist mindset is vital to defeating these organisations. The people travelling hundreds of miles to train with extremists are giving groups like ISIL and Al-Qaeda the capacity to carry out attacks across the globe. But why are they joining? What is it that attracts them to commit murder? There is a reason and the West needs to listen to reformed characters to develop new strategies that counter the messaging coming from parts of the Middle East.”

The World Counter Terror Congress will feature six sessions, covering policy and strategy responses to the changing terror threat; radicalisation, de-radicalisation and preventing radicalisation; geopolitical security briefings; encryption, communications and security; security for critical national infrastructure; and emerging terror networks and tactics.

29 high ranking officials and academics will lead the congress, providing invaluable trends and information to more than 400 attendees. Among those confirmed to speak are Mark Rowley, assistant commissioner, National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Counter Terrorism; Lord Carlile of Berriew CBE, QC; Rob Wainwright, director at Europol; Stephen Phipson, head, Defence and Security Organisation (DSO), UK Trade & Industry (UKTI); Dr Jamie Shea, deputy ASG, Emerging Security Challenges Division, NATO; Professor Richard English, director, Handa Centre for the Study of Terrorism & Political Violence (CSTPV), University of St Andrews; and Thomas Wuchte, head on Anti-Terrorism Issues, Action Against Terrorism Unit, Organisation for Security & Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

David Thompson, event manager, added: “With the safety of millions of people on their minds, those in attendance at the World Counter Terror Congress have their work cut out. The sight of armed police patrolling crowded places, including railway stations and airports, shopping centres and sports stadiums may be here to stay in the short term. But it’s the topics being discussed in the conference that will ultimately decide whether there are better techniques that can be introduced, and how nations can destroy the root cause of extremism.”

Resilience is top of the agenda
The protection of critical national infrastructure (CNI) is a complex issue and security services are tasked with defending a multitude of targets. Terrorist groups continue to not only threaten civilians, but also communications networks, the emergency services, energy plants, financial institutions, governments, health services, transport links and natural resources.

One example of this is the confirmed threats to global transportation, which show no sign of abating - the most recent instance being the downing of a Russian charter plane flying from Sharm el Sheikh to St Petersburg which killed all 224 passengers on board. ISIL claimed responsibility and vowed to continue in the same vein.

However, the threat posed to CNI is not exclusive to physical threats and action. The issue is multifaceted, and public and private entities are increasingly at risk of cyber attacks. Admiral Michael Rogers, NSA director, recently revealed that several foreign governments had hacked into US energy, water and fuel distribution systems, potentially damaging essential services. He noted that the attacks on US infrastructure networks were costing hundreds of billions of dollars and would have truly significant, almost catastrophic, failures if action was not taken.

A 2015 report into the destruction of the majority BP-owned Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline in Turkey recently declared it a targeted cyber attack. At the time, it was thought to be one of the most secure pipelines in the world. Yet, attackers were able to beat the security systems through a wireless network, allowing them to tamper with the systems and cause severe physical damage while remaining out of sight and anonymous.

Terrorism is not just about violent attacks on people and property. Disrupted communications systems, damaged assets and tarnished reputations can cause immediate and long‑term harm to a business. This makes these courses of action equally attractive from the terrorist’s point of view.

I will always be a prime target for terrorists and protecting it is becoming an immense and complex task. From 19-20 April, the free‑to‑attend Critical National Infrastructure & Business Reliance conference will take place at Security & Counter Terror Expo 2016, allowing security professionals to address the issues facing nations and businesses.

Focusing on the four key areas outlined in UK government’s CONTEST strategy, the conference will aim to aid public and private entities to identify, assess, prioritise, and protect critical infrastructure and key resources so that they can detect, prevent, deter, devalue, and mitigate deliberate efforts to destroy, incapacitate or exploit a nation’s CNI.

The Critical National Infrastructure & Business Reliance conference will feature a series of presentations examining the policy and strategy responses to today’s terror threat. Attendees will hear from the likes of Thomas Wuchte, head on Anti‑Terrorism Issues, Action Against Terrorism Unit, OSCE, who is set to discuss the latest initiatives of the regional organisation in the protection of critical national infrastructure in Europe in his keynote presentation.

Wuchte said: “We rely on a sophisticated electric energy infrastructure to bring us water, light, heat, and the power to run the many tools and devices we use almost every minute of our waking lives. If it were to stop functioning, so would life as we know it. The lesson we need to learn is that it is crucial to be aware of the vulnerability of the infrastructure we rely on. We need to invest thought, time and money into its protection. The key to ensuring that a disaster will never happen is minimising the possibility that it could.”

A total of 20 high ranking officials and academics will lead the conference, providing invaluable insight and information. Among those confirmed to speak are Inspector Chris Boyle, Strategic Partnerships – Prevent, National Counter Terrorism Policing HQ; detective chief inspector Colin Smith, Counter Terrorism Police Adviser, Home Office Science – Centre for Applied Science & Technology (CAST), Home Office; Dvir Rubinshtein, manager, Aviation Security Operation Centre (ASOC), Israeli Ministry of Transport; Andrew McClumpha, director, McClumpha Associates Ltd; and Dan Byles, chairman, Smarter UK.

The protection of CNI has never been more important. Today, an attack can happen at any time and at practically any location. The Critical National Infrastructure & Business Resilience session will offer delegates a fantastic platform to discuss best practice and identify the latest techniques that can be introduced to minimise the risks to communications networks, the emergency services, financial institutions and many more key national infrastructures.

Cyber Threat Intelligence Conference
Alongside the exhibition, cyber security will take centre stage at the 2016 show with the leading figures discussing the latest advances at The Cyber Threat Intelligence conference. Presented by techUK, the representative body for the UK’s technology industry, it will bring together all those who work to prevent cyber terrorism and crime. Among the topics to be discussed will be an overview of global cyber security threats and how to mitigate against them.

Cyber Threat Intelligence is one of the UK’s fastest growing cyber security events. Run for the first time in 2015, it attracted over a thousand delegates from the public and private sector. Co-located with Security & Counter Terror Expo, the free‑to‑attend conference provides a platform for those tasked with preventing and responding to cyber crime and terrorism.

Talal Rajab, programme manager for techUK’s Cyber, National Security and Criminal Justice programmes, said: “TechUk are at the forefront in helping the UK increase resilience to cyber crime and cyber terrorism. The Cyber Threat Intelligence Conference provides an ideal opportunity to reach an audience of senior security professionals, from some of the UK’s largest organisations and define a set of unified response and prevention strategies. Cyber Threat Intelligence is an excellent fit for our objective of making the UK the best place in the world for technology companies.”

Over two days, the Cyber Threat Intelligence conference will see leading experts, global brands and government speakers address the most pressing issues facing the UK’s cyber infrastructure.

Offender management
The UK offender management capability is based on the principles of holding prisoners securely, reducing the risk of prisoners re‑offending and providing safe and well‑ordered establishments. However, there is increasing concern that prisons and offenders are vulnerable to radicalisation. There are currently around 150 terror related offenders in the UK and, as the threat of terrorism grows, this number is set to increase.

The custody estate in the UK consists of adult prisons, young offenders institutions and secure training centres. The majority of these are run by the Prison Service but the UK also has significant experience in terms of privately run prisons and detention centres. Community sentencing has been used widely in the UK and offender monitoring systems, managed by private security companies (reporting breaches to police) are well established. Some of the requirements to effectively deliver this capability include: designing and supporting the construction of secure and safe facilities; prisoner proof cell equipment and furniture; safe cell structures; justice assistance; full prison facility management; secure transportation of prisoners; prisoner and staff tracking; offender rehabilitation schemes; youth intervention schemes and policies; personal protection and restraint equipment; surveillance and supervision of persons serving community sentences; electronic monitoring systems and delivery; and assessment systems.

Major event security
The security challenges surrounding the planning and delivery of large scale events, whether it is the Olympic and Paralympic Games, World Cup or a major political summit, are significant and complex. They may demand specific and unique solutions, depending on the nature, scale and location of the event and the threat environment in which they take place.

Most however will feature common capability requirements such as: conceptual security design; perimeter and venue protection; command and control; secure communications; venue safety and stewarding; anti-counterfeiting; guarding; fire and rescue response; risk analysis and threat management; crowd modelling; training; contingency planning; and disaster management.

Protecting the Border
Many countries face significant challenges to secure vulnerable borders, often in unpopulated and difficult terrain where the deployment of standard solutions would be impracticable. Enhanced border security is fundamental to the fight against terrorism, human trafficking, control of the illicit drug trade and regional security.

Critical aspects of delivering robust border control include: unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs); command and control; communications; ground and maritime radars; sensors; search equipment (people, cargo and baggage); explosive and chemical detection; hostile vehicle and vessel mitigation; lighting; perimeter and access control; secure documents and readers; biometrics; screening; surveillance from land, sea, air or space; aviation security design; training; and threat assessment models and risk mitigation.

Advanced Technologies Live
Public and private sector buyers, influencers and government delegations from across the globe will be attending Security & Counter Terror Expo to explore how the latest technology can be matched to their current and future needs.

At Advanced Technologies Live they will be able to see and hear more about the latest technologies and innovative solutions that the industry has to offer through a series of live demonstrations. Advanced Technologies Live offers the perfect opportunity for SME’s to present their solutions and raise their profile on a broad international platform.

The dedicated Drone-Zone provides live demonstrations of the latest advancements in drone technology. With technology developments enhancing the capabilities of drones, the devices are becoming increasingly important to the security industry. As a result, Security & Counter Terror Expo is delighted to announce that it has teamed up with the UK Drone Show to deliver a live demonstration area at this year’s event, enabling security professionals to identify new ways of protecting the public.

Hosted by the UK Drone Show – Europe’s largest drone event – the live demonstration area will showcase the very latest in aerial and terrestrial unmanned vehicles. Leading manufacturers will present their devices, explaining how their concepts can enhance security efforts, while meeting various safety and regulatory requirements.

Richard Wright of the UK Drone Show commented: “This is a very busy and exciting year for us and the collaboration with Security & Counter Terror Expo brings our experience of the UAV/drone industry to a sector that will see huge benefits from this rapidly developing technology.”

Services
The provision of services is a crucial element of business running through all aspects of the security sector and across many other sectors, including transport, construction, energy and ICT.

Private security companies (PSCs) employ a large number of ex-military or police staff to provide security services in what are often hostile and complex environments; including providing advice to the international shipping industry to mitigate attacks from piracy.

‘Services’ includes those activities provided by companies including, but not limited to, the following: consultancy; training; risk analysis; and guarding and close protection.

Steering Transport Security in the right direction
With the world on high terror alert, transport links are increasingly becoming a target for terrorists. Aeroplanes, mass transit buses, rail terminals, ports, vehicles and transport facilities all face the risk of an attack.

Therefore, security experts must work to ensure the safety of passengers, staff and cargo, whilst simultaneously allowing transport systems to operate efficiently and effectively.

The threat to transport links is not a new occurrence, with tactics in place to prevent and minimise the damage of attacks. However, terrorists continue to look for ways to beat the system, and some are successful with tragic consequences. Recent examples include an explosion on a Daallo Airlines plane in Somalia that forced an emergency landing, or the Russian charter plane bought down while flying from Sharm el Sheikh to St Petersburg, killing all 224 passengers on board.

Attacks such as these achieve the objectives of terror, resulting in death, disruption, and fear. It is the role of security professionals to ensure that they are prevented at all costs.

Traditionally, air travel has been a primary target for terrorism. Yet modern technology and advanced security protocol such as baggage checks and stringent identification, has made air travel a less accessible target. Other mass transit options like trains, buses and ports are designed to be more easily accessible and are therefore harder to protect against an attack.

Counter extremist think tank Queilliam recently intercepted a document, allegedly written by ISIL, that contained plans to target major commercial shipping routes in the Mediterranean and Europe. Transport Security Live will focus on discussing effective solutions to these problems. The free-to‑attend conference, running alongside the Security & Counter Terror Expo from 19-20 April 2016 at London’s Olympia, will feature international case studies and the latest development in protecting transport networks, hubs and passengers presented by leading figures in the industry.

The two-day conference will bring together key stakeholders from the government, police, aviation, maritime, public transport, and rail to discover the best practice, latest solutions and developments in transport security. Attendees can expect to hear key discussions regarding airport security, including the potential for UAV’s to protect critical aviation infrastructure, maritime security and boarder safety. More than 20 high ranking security professionals have already been confirmed to speak at the conference. Among these are: Dvir Rubinshtein, manager, Aviation Security Operation Centre, Israeli Ministry of Transport; Inspector Chris Boyle, Strategic Partnerships – Prevent, National Counter Terrorism Policing HQ; and Peter Cook, CEO, Security Association for Maritime Industry.

A co-located event
The combination of these events under one roof allows for extensive networking and learning opportunities. Ambition is fully supported by the Cabinet Office and the Home Office. Bringing together the Security and Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) communities, Ambition 2016 will provide professionals from government departments, the NHS, councils, local resilience forums, ambulance trusts, fire and police organisations and specialist agencies with the unique opportunity to meet, network and debate the latest challenges of today.

The free-to-attend high-level conference, co-located at Security & Counter Terror Expo, is open to all members of the EPRR community and provides a unique platform for thought-leaders to discuss and debate the current issues shaping the emergency response community.

Leading representatives from the police, NHS, hospitals, ambulance and fire services will present case studies on how best to handle extremely challenging, mass casualty events. Speakers at last year’s event included Robert Flute, senior ambulance advisor, National Ambulance Resilience Unit (NARU) and Ron Dobson, commissioner of the London Fire Brigade and director of the Chief Fire Officers’ Association (CFOA).

Supported by the Home Office, Forensics Europe Expo combines a high‑level conference and seminar programme with an exhibition of specialist equipment in applications across all areas of the forensic sector.

Now in its 4th remit, the only international event dedicated to forensic technology is expected to grow considerably with more global exhibitors showcasing the latest innovations to an audience of senior buyers and specifiers.

Taking place on the exhibition floor will be a series of product demonstrations. The Seminar and Demo Theatre allows leading suppliers and experts to share the latest industry updates and exclusive case studies. The 2016 conference at Forensics Europe Expo is the ideal meeting place for forensic professionals to learn about the latest technology and network with peers in a high-level learning environment.

In partnership with the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, the organisers are delighted to bring you a rich and diverse programme designed to take you on a complete forensic journey. The forensic science landscape has changed almost beyond recognition in the last 10 years – what does the future hold? The programme this year takes an in-depth look at the forever changing face of forensic science both in the UK and around the word with many high-calibre speakers set to join the discussion.

Hosted Buyers
Security & Counter Terror Expo hosted buyers are some of the most senior professionals with serious investment intentions in your industry. They come to the Expo to make educated investment decisions in the most efficient way possible.

The Security & Counter Terror Expo hosted buyers will have genuine business to place with a good variety of our exhibitors. They represent both the private and public sectors and have the investment capability and desire to source the latest security and counter terror solutions. The hosted buyers team will create customised schedules and facilitate meetings.

Hosted Buyers may be nominated by our exhibitors, industry associations or government agencies. Interested buyers who are seeking specific products and solutions may also leverage on this business matching programme to source for new business partners.

Albert Michael, sales manager at iStorage, said of last year’s show: “The show has been absolutely brilliant, it’s been non‑stop, and there have been crowds of people. It’s been extremely busy and the show’s up there with the best we’ve done.”

Doug Adams, business development manager at Axis Communications, added: “It’s been a great show. There has been a good level of high calibre engineers and integrators. We’ve also spoken to some global consultants as well as UK. Good value for money.”

Further Information
www.counterterrorexpo.com

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