Posts By: Jacob Charles

Upgrading cargo screening

Anthony Parker argues that new security screening standards for airline cargo are helping to improve efficiency, and calls for greater collaboration between manufacturers, users and agencies to develop next-generation systems   Finding the balance between high-security operations, shipping speed and efficiency is an ongoing challenge that both logistics and technology companies address every day. Nowhere… Read more »

After the Snow

Two years after Edward Snowden’s first revelations about NSA and GCHQ intelligence-gathering operations were published, John Chisholm what effect his actions have had on our security and moral standing   Since June 2013, Edward Snowden has remained an ambiguous figure. Still in an “undisclosed location” in Russia, even the circumstances of his being there are… Read more »

Refining protection

Recent terrorist attacks against critical infrastructure have proved that oil and gas facilities remain highly vulnerable. David Lee highlights the importance of effective 24-hour perimeter surveillance, and compares the best available technologies   Our modern society depends on a constant supply of energy. Petrochemical facilities, oil and gas transmission systems, refineries, utility companies and nuclear… Read more »

Regional Threat Watch – Europe

Major Terrorist Groups IHS Jane’s Terrorism and Insurgency Centre analyses the European threat from non-Islamic terrorist groups Continuity IRA (CIRA) The Continuity IRA (CIRA) is an Irish republican paramilitary group formed in early 1995 as a reaction to the ceasefire declared by the Provisional IRA (PIRA) in August 1994. The group’s primary objective is the… Read more »

Slaughter on Ramadan

Anthony Tucker-Jones reports on the latest spate of jihadist terror atrocities and asks whether this is part of an existing terrorist trend or something new   The summer of 2015 will be remembered as the summer of the triple terror attacks during the holy month of Ramadan. Islamic militants killed innocent civilians in separate attacks… Read more »

Plugging the maritime surveillance gap

Timothy Compston warns that the lack of an effective maritime patrol aircraft has compromised the UK’s security and asks what options, if any, are available to plug this critical surveillance gap   Since the long-serving Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) last flew, the sad fact is that the UK, so often a leader in maritime… Read more »

The implications of ISIS

As the international community debate expanded military action against ISIS, Dean C Alexander evaluates the group’s success and calls for multilateral efforts to counter its message   The so-called “Islamic State” (ISIS) that has swept into power in parts of Syria and Iraq presents an imminent danger to the global community, with its capacity as… Read more »

Joining the forensic dots

Yuval Ben-Moshe argues that advances in digital forensic technology are enabling examiners to perform detailed link analysis in the field, speeding investigations and potentially saving lives   The role of a forensic lab practitioner is to work within the justice system to provide key evidence for criminal and terrorist investigations. Their responsibilities include classifying and… Read more »

Burundi: anatomy of a failed coup

Following the unsuccessful coup attempt by elements of the armed forces, John Chisholm asks how President Nkurunziza clung to power and examines the consequences for his future   While the president is away, a disgruntled general attempts to depose him after the president made a questionable political decision. It is script that has been played… Read more »

Terror meets Twitter

Paul Stokes reviews the UK government’s proposed counter-extremism bill and explains how advanced crime analytics can help in tackling the recruitment of foreign fighters via social media   The recently elected UK Conservative government is to use its new unilateral power to push through anti-extremism laws. A revived counter-extremism bill was outlined in the Queen’s… Read more »