uk office for security & counter terrorism future threats and the potential role of the cbrn...
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UK Office for Security & Counter Terrorism
Future threats and the potential role of the CBRN Action plan in supporting the BTWC
Dr Catherine TerryInternational and Intelligence Coordinator
PROTECT
PROTECT
Terrorist Future Biological Threat
Biological terrorist threats to the UK and the UK response to the risks posed is regularly reviewed and re-assessed
Current terrorist future threat: Access to technology Access to materials Access to capability
EU Action plan Broad actions No limit to threats
Improve the security of dangerous substances that may be targeted or used by terrorists
Provision for future threat: the Act lists the biological pathogens and toxins and
covers both human and animal pathogens and not only the wild-type or ‘intact’ micro-organisms and toxins
BUT also genetic sequences derived from or coding for such substances
Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act (ATCSA) 2001
EU ACTION PLAN
Objectives All-hazard approach to reduce the threat of and damage from
CBRN incidents of accidental, natural or intentional origin, including acts of terrorism
EU needed to pool efforts together since terrorist incidents and accidents do not respect borders
Allows for a combination of regulation and voluntary measures according to Member States preferred approach
Draw upon existing work in other international organisations: greatest CBRN risks stem from proliferation, the most important measures
concern strengthening of non-proliferation regimes Universal, full implementation of relevant treaties and international agreements
EU ACTION PLAN
Aims to increase the effectiveness and speed of information sharing
analytical reporting at all stages
joint planning
the development of operational procedures
operational exercises the cost-effective pooling of existing
resources
EU ACTION PLAN
Comprehensive and ambitious in scopeOpportunity to enhance the capabilities and resilience of
Member States: sharing of best practice, common methodology, enhance security culture and, adequate perception of risk.
124 actions:67 Horizontal actions covering CBRN materials17 Biological specific
ActivitiesPreventionDetectionPrepare and respond
EU Biological Threat List
Establish a list of high risk biological agents and toxins, considering: Potential for malicious use Most dangerous Vulnerability to theft or loss
Methodology Based upon Member states threat assessment Methodology to be assessed
Future threat consideration To be reviewed annually Actions not restricted to the threat list
Prevention actions
Enhance security of high risk materials and facilities
Criteria for assessing security arrangementsDefinition of security responsibilities: operator & state Implementation of procedures “at the lab bench” Registry of facilities
Verify security arrangementsReview requirement for holding material
Good practice for handling materialsNational authorisation or accreditation process with
regulations and standards
Prevention actions
Development of a high security culture of staffGood practice in security training and education
Minimum security training requirements
Training programmes for private security staff
Raise awareness of security issues
Adoption of codes of conduct for those working on bio-issues
Requirements for bio safety officers
Prevention actions
Improve identification and reporting of suspicious transactions and behaviour
Enhance security of transport
Improve information exchangeThreat levels
Loss and theft of material
Detection actions
Develop detection models considering: distribution, vectors, infectious dose and stability
Establish trialling, testing and certification schemes for
CBRN detection in the EU
Develop minimum detection standardsReference materials for bio agents
Good practice for detection, awareness raising and training
Improve information exchangeBackground levelsGood practice exchange on cases and processes
Prepare and Respond Actions
Improve emergency planning
Strengthen countermeasure capacity
Improve domestic and international information flow regarding CBRN incidents
Strengthen decontamination and remediation capability
Improve capacity to conduct criminal investigations
Cross cutting actions
Enhance international cooperation
Improve communication with the public
Improve information tools for CBRN security
Improve training
Strengthen personnel security
Strengthen and prioritise research
Ensure criminalisation of CBRN terrorism
EU Parliament Proposal
Strengthening the action plan
Some MS already had good CBRN capabilities and set up but in other MS, there was have nothing in place at all
Ensure all MS are addressing prevention, detection and response
Resist pressure from industries to avoid regulation, with regard to dual use materials
Monitor transactions in CBRN materials, and on non-proliferation of these materials (import-export regimes)
stocks of vaccines in case of biological attacks, in line with the size of the threat
greater CBRN coordination between military, law enforcement, health care and civil protection officials
Proposal to regulate and monitor transactions: Consider burdens upon business, in proportion to the
threat.
Not simply promote self-regulation among the industries concerned, and not merely advise the industries to adopt codes of conduct guidelines and regulations applicable to all sectors dealing with
high-risk CBRN agents We have found in the UK self regulation and codes of conduct to
be an effective means of preventing terrorist access to high risk materials
EU regulation of security arrangements and requirements at high-risk CBRN facilities throughout the EU consistent and appropriate security arrangements at such facilities,
in proportion to the threat with consideration of the cost and impact
Future considerations