JSaRC Update – 17 December 2020
A year we’ll remember for a very long time… a message from Head of JSaRC, Angela Essel
At the beginning of 2020, none of us could have foreseen the many challenges we would all face due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During these unprecedented and testing times, the JSaRC team has continued to work on a number of vital activities and initiatives. A quick snapshot of these include:
- The Security and Policing Event in Farnborough. This year was the second time the event was hosted and delivered by JSaRC, and what a phenomenal show it proved to be. Record visitor and exhibitor numbers, Ministerial attendance as well as innovative features such as the Fusion Forum and the ‘Plan, Travel, Visit’ immersive feature. Our plans continue for Security and Policing 2021, with the show now taking place digitally, our vision for the show is content-led, innovative and exciting. Registration for S&P 2021 is now open.
- An unexpected programme of work that the JSaRC team has managed this year, has been in relation to the collation of ideas around COVID-19. Co-ordination began in late March and the team received over 265 responses from across industry and academia. JSaRC shared the compiled offers with the Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) COVID-19 team and, through this contact, a joined-up cross-government effort was established with the Cabinet Office to centrally manage over 9,000 offers.
- During this year JSaRC has worked closely with MOD colleagues on the UK’s Defence and Security Industrial Strategy (DSIS). This work will see JSaRC become the leading department for cross government Strategic Industrial Engagement working in partnership with Resilience Industry Suppliers Community (RISC) to drive National Security prosperity objectives.
Whilst the UK’s security challenges continue to evolve every day, and against the backdrop of COVID-19, the work we do is making a valuable contribution to the safety of our citizens. I am increasingly proud of the programmes my team are delivering and look forward to continuing this work and meeting whatever challenges we face in 2021.
Enjoy the coming festive season and we look forward to working with you in the New Year.
Angela Essel, Head of JSaRC
A message from Rt Hon James Brokenshire, MP Minister of State for Security on Publicly Accessible Locations
Towns, cities and public spaces may have a different look and feel this festive period however, recent attacks in Vienna and France and the change in UK terrorism threat level from SUBSTANTIAL to SEVERE- meaning an attack is highly likely- demonstrate that the threat from terrorism has sadly not diminished.
Please see a message from the Minister of State for Security here. Further information on CT Policing’s Winter Vigilance communications toolkit and CT Policing’s Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) App referenced in the Minister of State for Security’s message can be found here.
Expressions of Interest and Engagement Opportunities with Government
JSaRC opens an EOI for Biometrics Self-enrolment Feasibility Trials
On behalf of Home Office Border, Immigration and Citizenship System (BICS), JSaRC has opened a call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from companies that can address the Home Office’s primary concerns with Biometric Self-enrolment. Please find further details on this EOI here. The deadline for submission is 11:59am on 15/02/2021.
Applications now open to join the Border Force Academic Advisory Group
Border Code, the delivery partner for Future Borders and Immigration Systems (FBIS), Digitising the Border (DtB) Border Intervention work, is establishing a Border Vision Advisory Group.
This Advisory Group will engage subject matter experts from across academia to support the work of DtB through joint working and sharing knowledge on related topics. Applications are particularly sought from academics with expertise in the fields of Social Science, Transport Logistics, International Rail Travel, Northern Ireland Protocol/Border and individuals from a diverse background. If you are interested in this opportunity, please view the full details here and apply before the 15 January 2021 closing date.
News on Security and Policing 2021: Competitions and Challenges are now live for Industry and Academic input
Academic RiSC Launches Security & Policing E-Poster Competition for Academics
In partnership with JSaRC, Academic RiSC has launched a great opportunity for academic researchers and, particularly early career researchers and PhD students. This E-Poster competition provides an opportunity for academics to demonstrate their research relating to any aspect of National Security and the potential impact of that research to the national security sector. The chosen electronic posters will be displayed at Security and Policing 2021 – see here for more information.
Participate in the Industry Challenges at S&P 2021 – Call for exhibitors
Entries are now open for participating exhibitors at Security & Policing 2021 to take part in industry challenges and pitch white papers to panels of experts as part of the online Fusion Forum. Challenges include: Protecting National Security and the safety of children on an encrypted service; and Digital forensics for the next generation of communications.
NEWS FROM ACROSS GOVERNMENT
Online Harms – Full Government Response to the Consultation
This week HMG announced new rules for tech firms in relation to online harms with the Full Government response to the consultation now available here. Answers to questions surrounding the Full Government Respo nse are available here.
New Tender opportunity for Supply of Training Kits, Explosives Detection Dogs
The Home Office is looking for a provider(s) of canine training kits for explosives detection dogs to the UK Government. The closing date for submissions is 14 January 2021, the published notice is available here.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the JSaRC Team!