Posts By: Jacob Charles

World Cup security

Gavin Hepburn explores what’s being done to keep football fans visiting Russia this summer safe. This summer the biggest sporting event on the planet, the World Cup, will officially kick off in Russia on 14 June. The opening game will mark the first of 65 games played across 11 different Russian cities, including Saint Petersburg,… Read more »

Threat from above

Mark Brace reports on the emerging use of drones by militant groups Since 2014, there has been an increased emphasis on monitoring and countering unauthorised commercial drone flights near airports or in close proximity to civilian aircraft inflight. According to data released by the United Kingdom Airprox Board, there were just six emergency situations involving… Read more »

X marks the spot

Tomi Fält explains different applications in which X-rays are utilised, what the latest advances are and how it provides security forces with an advantage The fundamentals of the X-ray technology for security screening systems date back to seventies. However, this does not mean that X-ray technology development is complete or even slowing down. The latest… Read more »

Opportunity knocks

Ashley Lane reports on the growing opportunities for small businesses in the US security and defence sectors With some 30 million small businesses in the USA employing around 57 million people and accounting for 99 percent of the US business cohort, the need for SME access to Government is self-evident as a major potential source… Read more »

Holograms continue to shine

Four leading industry insiders reflect on 25 years of ups and downs for holography and its future evolution In 1993, the International Hologram Manufacturers Association was established, and since then, the organisation – which supports producers and converters of holograms for banknotes, anti-counterfeiting, brand protection, packaging, graphics and other commercial applications around the world –… Read more »

Going nuclear for civil defence

Timothy Compston reports on why nuclear-related civil defence is high on the agenda after years in the shadows When it comes to civil defence – or the lack of it – across the UK, Europe and beyond, the question is being asked: with much of the infrastructure associated with the Cold War sold off, dismantled… Read more »

Seeing more

Martin Jensen explains how thermal imaging has evolved to become a highly versatile tool for the security world In this article, I will be exploring some of the many ways thermal imaging is being used today, alongside some exciting new applications of the technology that will be adopted more widely in the future. Before getting… Read more »

Look to the skies

Elsbeth Heinzelmann explains how the Bern University of Applied Sciences has developed an algorithm to stop drones in their tracks Drones are opening up hitherto unimagined prospects. Originally developed for combat and military surveillance purposes, they are being increasingly used in civilian applications. But in 2015, a quadrocopter spooked security forces by crashing in front… Read more »

Threatwatch East Asia

GROUPS Matthew Henman, head of Jane’s Terrorism and Insurgence Centre, IHS Markit ASG The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) is a Sunni Islamist militant organisation based and operating in the Southern Philippines off the island of Mindanao, primarily on the islands of Basilan and Jolo in the Sulu archipelago. ASG militants sometimes operate in mainland Mindanao,… Read more »

The future of policing

Rupert Godesen explains how the police might benefit from help from a private and more localised force Tuesday the 27 February and I am sitting at my desk pondering a way to start my article on the future of public policing. I take a quick look at the BBC News website and there is my… Read more »