Science and innovation
Science and innovation strategy and policy
The UK’s Science and Technology Strategy for Countering International Terrorism
The Science and Technology strategy sets our objectives for science (both social and technical) and technology in the CONTEST counter terrorism strategy for the next three years and explains how they will be achieved.
The strategy has three principle objectives:
- To use horizon scanning to understand future scientific and technical threats and opportunities and inform our decision making on counter-terrorism
- To ensure the development and delivery of effective counter-terrorism solutions by identifying and sharing priority science and technology requirements.
- To enhance international collaboration on counter-terrorism related science and technology.
This strategy:
- Reflects our recognition that modern technologies are an important long-term strategic driver of the terrorist threat.
- Places greater emphasis on identifying science and technology requirements from across Government and law enforcement to ensure that the right solutions are developed to counter the challenges we face.
- Seeks greater partnership and engagement with industry and academia and commits us to more openness and transparency on science, technology and counter-terrorism.
Both industry and academia have a significant role to play in countering terrorism in the UK. The UK is a leading innovator in the design and provision of defence and security solutions and we want this expertise applied to science and technology in the counter-terrorism domain.
The strategy builds on and replaces the 2007 UK Security & Counter-Terrorism Science & Innovation Strategy.
Ideas and innovation
To accompany the Strategy, the Government has published a brochure entitled ‘Countering the terrorist threat: ideas and innovation – how industry and academia can play their part’.
The brochure sets out some of the challenges faced by Government:
- Reducing the vulnerability of crowded places
- protecting the national infrastructure
- protecting against cyber terrorism
- improving analytical tools
- the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
It describes some of the key technologies critical to counter-terrorism:
- knowledge management
- biometrics
- screening
- physical protection
- countering improvised explosive devices
It explains who to contact for more information and advice.
Speed boat terrorists
Visit the Home Office YouTube channel to see a demonstration of new equipment designed to stop speed boat terrorist (new window).
