I527-290 ESRIF Final Report (WEB).indd - European Commission

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3.5 Explosives
Explosives are unfortunately the vector most often used by terrorists. Preventing access to explosives, their precursors and
the technology to manufacture them remains very diffi cult. Thus the capability to detect them before they can be activated
is critical. Mitigating existing and new means of attack such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs) is a permanent challenge
for society.
Sustained research eff orts must be pursued in this domain regarding the detection of all types of explosives –unattended
or man-carried –including remote detection capabilities. Detection equipment must be transportable and easy to use.
New solutions allowing very fast intervention are needed to neutralise, even partially, unattended potential explosives. The
development of new markers in manufacturing and the ability to track compounds that identify the source of their components
would also be very benefi cial for detection and investigation.
Coordination at European level, mutual use of methods and expertise to counteract violent means of attack and support for
the development of improved harmonised regulation should be encouraged. The existing European Network of Explosive
Ordinance Disposal Units could be an appropriate channel to support such action.
3.6 Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear
Chemical, biological, and radiological incidents, be they intentional or accidental, are major risks for Member States. The
scale of these risks ranges from attacks by states to the use of small, improvised devices by terrorists. The spread of technical
knowledge and capabilities that can enable dedicated individuals or groups to build CBRN devices is a major concern.
While the impact of a CBRN incident on society can vary dramatically, it is in any case likely to be immense. Prevention is
crucial and should receive particular attention by equipping intelligence agencies and policy makers with better information
analysis tools. Consequence management to overcome CBRN attacks and hoaxes is also of extreme importance. This requires
development of more eff ective and reliable detection and identifi cation capabilities, including detection networks, data fusion,
distribution of signal output and decision support tools.
Another important capability gap involves safe containment and decontamination procedures that provide quick eff ect
without harmful side-eff ects, not least of which is the environmental clean-up of these materials. Special focus must also be
placed on understanding the metrics of the psychological and sociological consequences of CBRN incidents and thus how to
design proper countermeasures (education, communication and recovery).
Although Europe has developed good standards for laboratory safety, the advent of dual-use technologies and the proliferation
of know-how for the malicious use of biological agents have increased the need for socially-grounded approaches to biosecurity.
Moreover, the continuing threat of global pandemics –with its potentially devastating impact on the health, social
and economic stability of European society – sharpens these security concerns.
3.7 New technologies, new threats
Having identifi ed the sustained research requirements to deal with generally known means of attack, ESRIF recognises that
while new technologies are of paramount importance for to improving security, they may also foster new or transformed
threats. Formerly unaff ordable and high-level technologies may become widely available for malicious use; e.g. high-power
microwave or radio frequency jamming devices can be constructed using simple, off -the-shelf components while mobile
devices are used to initiate or detonate homemade bombs.
Although certain future deliberate misuses of technologies can be foreseen, most cannot. There is no doubt that rapid evolution
in ICT/cyber security and its misuse will continue and even accelerate. Some technologies already identifi ed as candidates for
ESRIF FINAL REPORT - PART 1 • European Security Research And Innovation Agenda (ESRIA)