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Here is an introduction to our work, followed by some highlights of recent JSaRC facilitated projects...
The Increasing need for Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS)
In December 2018, the illegal use of drones shut down Gatwick airport, creating a serious threat to the safety of travellers and the general public. This disrupted infrastructure and caused significant inconvenience to thousands of holiday-makers and business travellers.
Although drones are by no means always put to illegal use, this incident demonstrated just how important the development of an effective Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) solution has become when they are used as a tool for criminal activities.
A joined-up approach to counter-drone strategy
Since this incident, JSaRC has been instrumental in helping to stimulate counter-drone industry engagement across all technologies. These areas include developing systems for detecting, tracking, identification and the disruption of all forms of unmanned aerial systems.
More can be found on the drone industry and the government’s approach to dealing with the threat of malicious use of drones, here.
Future Aviation Security Solutions (FASS)
Aviation remains a ‘totemic’ target for terrorist activity and will always be at the top of the security agenda. This Home Office (HO) / Department for Transport (DfT) programme is designed to stimulate innovative solutions for the future.
JSaRC’s role is to facilitate cross-industry coordination through the organisation of a series of workshops and events. The team also assists with the arrangement of testing and trials of new solutions; for example, the facilitation of shoe-screening testing at Luton airport.
Promoting innovation in science and technology
The FASS programme will invest £25.5m over the next 5 years to promote innovation in science and technology. Working with the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), FASS funds research via themed competitions and the ‘Open Call for Innovation’. To date, the programme has committed more than £7m of funding to 67 research projects across 7 competitions.
You can find out more about the FASS programme in this case study.
Full details along with contact details for the government’s FASS programme are found here.
Digital Border Systems
The Home Office’s Borders, Immigration and Citizenship System, which incorporates UK Border Force, is responsible for securing our borders. There remain, however, a range of important challenges influenced – until recently – by ever-increasing footfall through our ports and airports. These challenges have highlighted the need to achieve a more cohesive digitally connected pre-entry system to cope with future demands.
To help facilitate this, JSaRC hosted a round-table event with senior leaders from the private sector to capture views on how a future system could look.
Outputs from this round-table will help to shape a programme of work, allowing further assessment and requirements to be collated from key stakeholders to achieve a more integrated, digitally connected, pre-entry system that will stand the test of time.
A unified way forward
JSaRC’s role was to analyse the current situation and to establish a range of requirements for agreement by the working group partnership, defining a clear and unified way forward.
Scoping and defining requirements in this way will provide the basis for a coordinated foundation upon which formal plans and specifications can be established. This means that the many disparate stakeholders, suppliers and procurement professionals can work together to achieve satisfactorily joined-up digital solutions working with common objectives in mind.
Security Exports and International Engagement
The UK has significant expertise in the security sector and is a strong contender for winning export contracts overseas.
JSaRC currently represents the Home Office and our Office for Security and Counter Terrorism (OSCT), in support of the Department of International Trade’s UK Defence and Security Exports’ (DIT UKDSE) implementation of their revised security exports strategy.
JSaRC represents the Home Office at the cross-government and industry security export strategy implementation steering group, and preparing briefings and attending officials’ meetings on behalf of the Security Minister.
Co-ordinating Briefings
We coordinate briefings (liaising with industry and UKDSE) on private sector capability and security exports in advance of Ministerial and senior officials’ overseas visits. JSaRC proactively works with industry and DIT UKDSE to coordinate international engagement to promote security-related exports.
Defence and Security Industrial Strategy (DSIS)
Part of JSaRC’s remit is to capture valuable views and feedback from Industry and Academia for consideration within the formulation of the UK’s Defence and Security Industrial Strategy (DSIS).
The Security and Resilience Industry Suppliers Community (RISC) has highlighted the following as the four main focus areas for the industry:
– Procurement
– Innovation
– Skills
– Exports
With this in mind, JSaRC has been engaged in capturing views from industry and academia on these cross-cutting issues through a series of virtual round-tables.
An initial round-table on the ‘Skills’ issue will be followed closely by consideration of ‘Procurement’.
A round-table on ‘Innovation’ was held on 3 June, in conjunction with the National Security Technology and Innovation Exchange (NSTIx) and RISC.
‘Exports’ are supported both by the Security and Policing Exhibition and JSaRC’s continuing support for DIT and DSO in the implementation of their revised security exports strategy and in delivering a coordinated approach and message.
JSaRC continues to communicate regularly with DSIS to ensure that all work is coordinated in line with existing and future planning.
The Security and Policing Exhibition, Farnborough
The Home Office’s Security and Policing Exhibition is managed by JSaRC along with delivery partners, ADS and DODS. This yearly event features a wide range of security solutions and has become an important fixture in the diary of both industry suppliers and public-sector procurement decision-makers alike.
The exhibition allows the government to deliver security and law enforcement priorities through the effective application of science, innovation and technology available from industry and academia. It supports the government’s strategies on countering terrorism, serious and organised crime, policing, national security, prosperity and economic growth.
2020 – increase in exhibitor and visitor attendance
On 3-5 March 2020 and, despite challenges created by the emergence of COVID-19, 323 companies exhibited, with 3,092 visitors attending, representing an increase on the previous year.
2021 – first fully online virtual event
Security and Policing 2021 held on 9-11 March was the first fully virtual event allowing all participants to enjoy most of the event’s range of benefits but with minimal COVID-19 risk.
2022 – Back to a live event
Security and Policing 2022 returned to Farnborough with flying colours! Attendance by both exhibitors and visitors proved the apatite for this event was not diminished.
2023 – From strength to strength
Security and Policing 2023 – This year the event exceeded expectations by attracting over 7,500 attendees, 350+ exhibitors, 30 HMG and law enforcement departments and representation from 65 countries over the three days.
Security & Policing 2024
Security and Policing 2024 – The Official UK Government Global Security Event, 12 – 14 March 2024
We hope you are able to join us at S&P 2024 and look forward to welcoming you equally as a first-timer or regular attendee.
Engaging with JSaRC
Find out moreJSaRC has a number of principal mechanisms through which we engage with our stakeholders, partners and supporters.
These include events run and organised by JSaRC to support specific projects, programmes and exhibitions such as the Security & Policing Home Office Event, the International Security Expo and IFSEC International.