Criminals, terrorists, diseases or forest fires do not respect national boundaries and EU integration has in many ways made it easier for security threats to spread across borders because of the internal market and the border-free travel zone.
While member states’ police and security forces take the leading role in law enforcement, when it comes to countering these threats the European Commission is increasingly getting involved in trying to minimise the risks.
One of the ways it does so is by taking on a co-ordinating, monitoring and communication role. Member states experiencing a particular problem send alerts through a system called Argus to the Commission. The Commission’s different departments can then monitor the situation and offer advice on the best way to tackle it. If a disease breaks out in a number of member states the system is in place to monitor how national capitals deal with it and suggest the best response. This system, for example, could advise member states against methods which could counteract a neighbouring state’s response to a pandemic.
Another co-ordinating function is the Critical Infrastructure Warning Information Network which involves contact points in each member state, relaying information on common threats and ways of dealing with them. For example, an attack on one member state’s online banking system could spread to other states, in which case information about the software and the particular cyber-attack would be vital.
Member states are currently debating a Commission proposal to set up a list of energy facilities, telecommunication buildings, airports and water plants which constitute critical infrastructure for Europe. Public-private dialogues organised by the Commission could suggest best technological practice and new ideas on how to protect such facilities.
These dialogues fill a gap for governments seeking input from industry and experts, as technology designed by experts and developed by industry can be tailored to public security needs. In July the Commission published a green paper on bio-preparedness, requesting input from the public and private sectors on how to reduce the risks of bio-terrorism and enhance response capabilities.
The Commission is currently assessing the responses to a green paper on detection technologies it launched in September last year and the possibility of keeping responses sector-specific, by focusing on technologies used to detect chemical or biological threats, for instance.
Green papers on radiological and chemical weapons are planned in the lifetime of this Commission, seeking ways of reacting and responding to these threats, including through the use of new technology.
A permanent forum of 50-70 members bringing together governments, industry, academics and civil society to examine areas of research for public security needs was set up earlier this month by the Commission. The European Security Research and Innovation Forum will examine projects to which to allocate €2.135 billion in 2007-13.
Major European databases, including the Schengen Information System II, which will store information on border security and law enforcement and is expected to come into use in 2009, are another way of using technology at European level to meet security needs. The Commission argues that such databases can make Europe’s borders more secure and with limited police involvement can provide information on potential security risks. In the meantime technology will allow some member states to share inform-ation on criminals, with the Treaty of Prüm providing police with the ability to search other member states’ databases for DNA, fingerprints and vehicle registration numbers.
Launched by the Commission in September 2006, it called on interested parties to provide ideas on preparing for and preventing terrorist attacks. The closing date for submission was in January and the Commission is currently compiling a report on the replies.
Launched in July this year it seeks consultations on ways to prepare against biological threats.
The Commission in December last year proposed a directive to define and designate European critical infrastructure. A Critical Infrastructure Warning Information Network is already in place with a public-private dialogue expected to suggest standards and technological ways of protecting the infrastructure.
Expected to come on stream in 2009, the new computer system will allow the storing of more information on border security which will help police identify potential threats.