A new counter-terrorism project to keep the public safe by
enhancing collaboration between business, industry and the
public sector has been announced today.
This joint initiative will see a ground breaking
interactive online platform developed to provide secure
expert advice and training to businesses and public sector
organisations to help them develop their own
counter-terrorism approaches.
In the event of an attack, the platform will give
businesses access to timely and accurate information.
The Security Minister, , announced the project at
the Home Office Security and Policing Event in Farnborough
today.
The £10 million project is being funded by Pool Re, the
terrorism reinsurer, and led by Counter Terrorism Policing,
in partnership with the Joint Security and Resilience
Centre, part of the Home Office.
Security Minister, , said:
This project is one of the first of its kind - a
collaboration between the police, the insurance sector,
and the government that will help to keep the country
safe and secure.
If we are to properly respond to the terrorist threat, we
need to ensure everyone plays their part. That is why
partnerships like this one are so vital and I thank Pool
Re for their leadership.
Pool Re Chairman Geoff Riddell said:
Pool Re and the insurance industry are uniquely placed to
promote resilience, protect the UK’s economic
infrastructure and enhance national security interests by
improving the UK’s ability to tackle terrorism.
We take this responsibility very seriously, and as such
are delighted to be collaborating with the Home Office
and counter terrorism policing to deliver this critical
initiative.
The platform will meet a longstanding need from the
private sector for more credible, quality and timely
information to be used in their protective security and
resilience planning.
The national policing lead for Protective Security, Deputy
Assistant Commissioner Lucy D’Orsi, said:
Since the tragic events of 2017, counter terrorism
policing has been working alongside government and the
private sector to strengthen our defences against
terrorism through greater collaboration and information
sharing.
That is why this ground-breaking new platform is so
important, as it will allow businesses to access credible
information 24/7, connect users to experts, provide
accredited online training and send direct messages in
the event of an attack – strengthening our frontline
against the unprecedented threat.
By supporting this initiative, Pool Re will improve the
engagement, collaboration and sharing of information
between the private sector, policing and the security
services - resulting in a better assessment of emerging
threats and helping us to work together to keep the UK
safer.
The government’s counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST, is
committed to building a more integrated relationship with
the private sector to increase the UK’s ability to tackle
terrorism.
The platform is being developed primarily for the private
sector, specifically focused on small and medium-sized
businesses for whom access to expert external advice can
sometimes be costly.
Consultation with key partners is already underway and
further discussions will continue this year to ensure the
platform is fit for purpose.
Technical development will commence later in the year.
