Counter-Terror Expo drives the security agenda

31 Jul 08

Despite the fact there has been no major terrorist attack against Western targets outside of the combat zones of Iraq and Afghanistan in over a year, it would be wrong to assume that the threat from such an attack has dissipated. All the more reason, then, for security professionals to attend the forthcoming Counter-Terror Expo 2009 (CTX09), which is to be held at the prestigious QEII Conference Centre in London's Westminster from 10-11 February next year.

In fact, CTX09 is being held against the backdrop of a continued heightened state of alert in many countries around the world for the probability of an imminent terrorist attack. Such is the level of concern globally that over 75 of the world's leading counter-terrorism experts will gather at CTX09 to debate the current nature of the threat, examine trends, indentify potential threat trajectories and help to identify possible solutions to counter any renewed offensive by terrorist groups intent on causing maximum damage and harm.

"Events including September 11, Bali, Madrid, the London Underground and bus bombings and the Glasgow International Airport attacks serve as a reminder that the threat from terrorism is never far away," comments Peter Jones, event director for CTX09. "The thwarted August 10 bomb plot and the failed London clubland attacks give us a moment of pause with the realisation that acts of terrorism can come from unknown and expected avenues."

Political rhetoric being countered

That terrorist groups have an upper hand still appears clear despite political rhetoric to the contrary. One of the biggest threats still facing us is that from the 'unseen hand'. Terrorist groups have become adept in striking when least expected, and from entirely unexpected directions. Intelligence can only go so far in preventing terrorist attacks, but is next to useless when the threat is unknown and so-called 'clean skins' who have rarely if ever come under the watchful gaze of the appropriate authorities.

"The events of recent years have taught us much in respect to how terrorist groups work," adds Jones. "Equally, they have confounded us with the nimble ease with which they change tack and direction in the blink of an eye. Those events have also caused us to question the counter measures and methodologies in place to interdict acts of terrorism. In the aftermath of both the September 11 attacks in the United States of America and the July 7 attacks in the United Kingdom, it was found that disparate parts of the law enforcement community possessed certain amounts of intelligence on some of the terrorists involved, but for one reason or another neglected to share that information with counterparts elsewhere. Intelligence sharing is a vital prerequisite in countering terrorism, and yet has been one of the biggest failures as we battle with the threats we face."

High-level conference programme

CTX09 features a high-level conference programme in which experts will come together with other practitioners and solutions providers in the field of counter-terrorism for two full days of informed debate, designed to facilitate an open exchange of views and drive forward concepts to counter the threat faced from international terrorism. CTX09 will also feature a range of specialist workshops designed to provide a forum through which delegates can explore the latest technological solutions available to combat the global terrorist threat.

CTX09 also hosts a unique exhibition showcasing the very latest specialist security products and solutions that form a crucial part in countering that terrorist menace.

The multi-stream conference programme will cover the following and other themes:

• border control and immigration
• inter-agency co-operation and information sharing
• counter-terrorism policy
• international co-operation
• transportation
• high-profile events and venues
• infrastructure and utilities
• contingencies and resilience

The specialist workshops are expected to focus upon:

• intelligence and information sharing
• people smuggling and drug trafficking
• covert surveillance techniques
• concealed weapons detection
• liquid explosive detection
• chemical and biological weapons
• the threat from within
• aviation security

CTX09 organisers say the event has been structured such that the key interlocking issues faced by counter-terrorism specialists will be given precedence, in an effort to drive forward meaningful strategies to outwit and outmaneuver those who may be planning further attacks.

"London has seen more than its fair share of terrorist atrocities in recent times. and it's only right and proper that CTX09 be held here and in close proximity to the corridors of power in Whitehall," continues Jones. "Moreover, London will host the world's greatest sporting event, the 2012 Olympic Games. A major theme within CTX09 will be the security of such large scale events and we hope that debate within this theme will inform and assist in ensuring the 2012 Games are the safest in the history of the Olympiad."

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