JSaRC Update – 23 March 2022
Security & Policing 2022: A huge success in our 40th anniversary year
Unprecedented Ministerial Support in Farnborough
More than 2,900 visitors and 300 exhibitors from across the UK security sector attended Security and Policing in Farnborough last week. Delivered by JSaRC and UK DSE, this edition was packed with innovation and opportunity from start to finish. Attended by the Home Secretary and Secretary of State for International Trade, Minister of State for Security and Borders, Minister of State for Crime and Policing, as well as a host of senior Officials from across Government, Policing, and over 70 nations and international organisations; exceeding previous successes and delivering unprecedented engagement in it’s 40th year.
Tweeting of the engagement, the Home Secretary (left), Security Minister (Middle) and Home Office Permanent Secretary, Matthew Rycroft (right) – all expressed their support to the initiative and underpinned the importance of events such as S&P to the continued Homeland Security, resilience and prosperity missions.
An Exciting Exhibition of Innovative Solutions
Every year, the S&P Innovation Awards provide the opportunity to recognise and highlight innovation at its best, and this year was no exception. TapSOS, a platform designed to allow the public to connect non-verbally with 999, received this year’s award. The app allows citizens to quickly tap icons which follow the Emergency Services triage processes and is the only UK company permitted to connect in this way with Police, Ambulance, Fire & Rescue and Coastguard. Founder and MD, Becca Hume and her talented team, have been working on the platform for 7 years and are looking to secure further funding to substantially expand the team to both launch and further develop core technologies. Further information is available here.
Save the Date for 2023: 14-16 March 2023
Already set in the calendar, Security & Policing 2023 will take place at it’s regular timing in March. Again, hosted at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre by JSaRC, UK DSE, ADS and Dods.
News from JSaRC
An Update on the Exciting work of Future Borders and Immigration Systems (FBIS): Digitise programme
Against a backdrop of challenging pandemic constraints, four successful hackathon events were held during 2021, allowing government officials, BVAG academic and industry supplier members to progress discussions on how to automate the UK borders. Find out more exciting details about future hackathons and opportunities, here.
BVAG are committed to working with colleagues from industry suppliers, port operators and carriers to help inform and drive our thinking. If you have any questions, then please contact BVAG at BorderVision@homeoffice.gov.uk
News from our Partners in the Security Sector
ADS Release Guidance on Preparing for a Heightened Security Threat
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has triggered the greatest security crisis in Europe since the Cold War, and with it a heightened security threat for all UK organisations.
ADS has compiled a list of up-to-date guidance and resources from the National Cyber Security Centre and Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure, as well as their own ADS Cyber Security Toolkit, which will help inform members of the steps and measures they can take to builder a stronger, more resilient security and resilience posture. Find out more here.
Join techUK for a webinar on Digital Identity in Travel and Tourism: 24 March
Throughout 2021, techUK held a series of events on the topic of digital ID, exploring the role this technology can play in tackling key challenges across society and the economy, and determining what more needs to be done to drive adoption as the UK economy begins to recover from the impact of the pandemic. And techUK is excited to be carrying on the conversation this year with the Digital Identity Event Series 2022!
Join them as they discuss how digital identity technologies can transform travel and tourism and enable these sectors to bounce back from the impact of the pandemic. The panel will explore how digital identity is and can be used in the travel sector, the opportunities and challenges in the UK and beyond, and what more needs to be done to realise the full benefits of digital identity for travel and tourism. Sign up for the free event here.
Closing Soon: Don’t miss the chance to apply for the Innovate UK KTN Smart Grants
Innovate UK KTN, part of UK Research and Innovation, is investing up to £25 million in the best game-changing and commercially viable innovative or disruptive ideas. All proposals must be business focused, with project costs between £100,000 and £2m. Up to 70% of the cost can be covered by the Smart grant, depending on business size and project type. The opportunity to apply closes on 13 April 2022. Find out more, here.
Cyber-Physical Infrastructure Consultation – Open until 11 May 2022
The government has launched a consultation on a national Cyber-Physical Infrastructure. An ecosystem of increasingly connected digital and physical systems could help accelerate innovation and support a more resilient UK society and economy.
The consultation aims to explore the opportunities, benefits and challenge of connected cyber-physical systems and understand the value of, and options for, an underpinning Cyber-Physical Infrastructure. Government is keen to hear your insights and challenges in response to the consultation.
In parallel to the consultation, government will be hosting a series of roundtable discussions on specific topics within the consultation. You can register your interest in joining a roundtable discussion here.