Europe
Fights a Rearguard Action Combating Terrorism
When
terrorists killed 191 and wounded a further 2,050 people in the coordinated
attacks on the Madrid commuter rail network in March 2004, the attacks
presented European lawmakers with a moment of pause and sent shockwaves
through the European transport industry. While the terrorist atrocities
of three years previously in New York and Washington had prompted much
debate over the potential for similar to occur in Europe, at the time
of the Madrid bombings additional protective measures existed only in
the aviation sector but Europe's mass transit systems remained wide
open to attack.
The London underground and bus bombings of July 2005, the alleged airline
bombing plot of August 2006 and the successful airport attack of June
2007, all serve to emphasise the simple fact that answers to how best
to protect Europe's transport infrastructure are much needed and long
overdue.
Europe has been turned into a killing field by those exploiting holes
in the protective blanket intended to keep its citizens safe. Much has
been made of the need to improve intelligence gathering and sharing
in the fight against home grown and transnational terrorism, but the
events of the past almost four years show clearly that intelligence
alone is not the answer when the threats faced are largely covertly
planned and executed. While intelligence must inevitably form part of
the battle against terrorism, it must be supported by protective technologies
effectively deployed to defend transport systems against attack.
In the drive to identify the key issues and determine the solutions,
the annual Transec World Expo plays a mission critical role. The event,
which this year moved to a new home in Amsterdam, brings key thinkers
together in open conference and workshop to debate how best to meet
the challenges facing the European transport industries, alongside a
major exhibition of latest technological solutions from many of the
world's leading systems developers.
‘This is the only independently organised event of its kind in
the European theatre,’ comments Peter Jones, Executive Director,
Transec World Expo. ‘In devising this event we have striven to
ensure that our main conference presents the key issues and encourages
active debate. Similarly, our extensive range of workshops is designed
to highlight specific concerns and present a range of mitigating measures.’
Reflecting the very real concern of European legislators and industry
bodies, Transec World Expo 2007 shattered attendance figures seeing
1500 delegates and visitors through its doors, over 450 of whom attended
main conference and workshops. ‘The successful terrorist attacks
seen in Europe and the near constant scares we have had, emphasis the
fact that the European transport system remains firmly in the crosshairs.
This was evidenced in the high attendance at Transec World Expo 2007
of delegates representing governments and many of the principle transport
operators in the region,’ adds Jones. In identifying the principal
concerns and carefully directing discussion, Transec World Expo attempts
to drive the identification of solutions. ‘Many similar events
are unfocused and therefore deliver little value to delegates. We differ
in so much as delegates and exhibitors alike tell us that our approach
actively helps them to focus on the most important issues they are faced
with,’ he says. Debate in relation to aviation marine, rail and
highways security was the prime focus of conference at Transec World
Expo 2007.
Supported by the European Commission (EC), International Maritime Organisation
(IMO), World Customs Organisation (WCO), North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
(NATO) and others, the event honed in on issues related to passenger
and baggage screening, perimeter security, biometric deployment and
the handling of unruly passengers in the aviation sector, to the potentially
more diverse range of threats in the maritime and supply change sectors
including those threats related to the smuggling of nuclear, chemical
and biological materials through transportation of narcotics and other
contraband to seizure of high value cargo's on the high seas.
‘Our Transec World Expo exhibition is tailored such as to present
to delegates a carefully selected range of exhibitors in various disciplines
within the security sphere. The exhibition is an ever popular part of
the event and offers exhibitors the unique ability to target their activity
toward key decision makers,’ Jones comments further. Exhibitors
not only include the large multinational companies but many smaller
organisations with unique solutions to specific problems. ‘The
range of exhibitors attracted to Transec World Expo stands as testament
to the leading role this event has in the European theatre,’ he
states.
Transec World Expo 2007 highlighted clearly that the European region
still has many issues to address and its transport infrastructure remains
a high value target for terrorist groups. Some of these issues can be
addressed with relative ease while others are far more problematic.
Aviation is a closed transport network where high level security solutions
can be effectively deployed for instance, but those solutions cannot
be transposed to the mass transit arena without bringing heavy rail,
light rail and bus networks to a grinding halt. Security in the mass
transit world remains a conundrum and requires lateral thinking and
innovative solutions to address affectively.
‘So many questions remain and answers sought as Europe grapples
the threat from terrorism. Transec World Expo has a vital role to play
in fostering debate and helping to bring solutions to bear sooner rather
than later,’ concludes Peter Jones.
Emphasising the stature of this event as Europe's largest established
transport security conference and exhibition, Transec World Expo 2008
moves to the new and larger venue of PTA - Amsterdam and is to be held
25 -26 June. Reflecting the growing security issues becoming evident
elsewhere, for the first time next year Transec World Expo is to introduce
a similar event in Delhi, India. The subcontinent represents a significant
emerging market for solutions to transportation security questions.
Chris Yates