Protective Security Lab’s Post

Did you know that pyrotechnic articles, often seen in celebrations, are also being repurposed for criminal use? 🧨 As terrorism and organised crime remain major threats within the EU, even commonly used materials can pose unexpected security risks. Spark is proud to announce a new study for the European Commission (DG HOME), in consortium with Ecorys, TNO, and Fondazione SAFE - Security and Freedom for Europe, to explore ways of addressing these emerging risks. Our team will conduct in-depth research, interview key stakeholders, and analyse data to provide robust recommendations. 💡 Which aspects of this study are you most interested to learn about? Let us know in the comments! We look forward to sharing our findings with you soon! 🔍 For more on our latest projects, visit: https://lnkd.in/ecTrMSnD #Pyrotechnics #CounterTerrorism #PublicSafety #OrganisedCrime

The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) 2025 Homeland Threat Assessment (HTA), is designed to inform both the public and the Department’s partners of the threats to public safety and security, in order to assist federal, state, and local partners in preparing, preventing, and responding to an ever-evolving threat environment. The HTA describes a threat environment that is expected to “remain high” over the coming year.

📃 FRISCO INSIGHTS | The EU Regulation on Terrorist Content Online: are European platforms ready (2/3)? In 2023, the FRISCO Team conducted a study to assess the readiness of small European online platforms (i.e. ‘Hosting Service Providers’) regarding the provisions of the EU Regulation on Terrorist Content Online. We gathered their insights and identified the most common challenges they face. This work was recently highlighted in a European Commission report published on the 14th of February 2024. Given the public interest in our results, we decided to produce a article series to summarise them. In this series, we offer a comprehensive breakdown of our findings.  In the second article of the series, avaible below, we focus on the online behaviour of terrorists and the types of platforms they exploit (2/3). An article written by Adeline K. and Pierre Sivignon To read the whole series, click here : https://lnkd.in/gPrFvb-K To access our mapping report, click here : https://lnkd.in/eEii8AnW To access the European Commission report, click here : https://lnkd.in/eR7e_63W NCSR "DEMOKRITOS" - Violence Prevention Network gGmbH - Tremau - CIVIPOL   - European Digital Learning Network ETS - IVSZ - IT Association of Hungary - International Network Against Cyber Hate (INACH) ALLIES EU-Project - Tech Against Terrorism Europe #TerroristContentOnline  #Cybersecurity #SecurityEU #CounterTerrorism #Extremism #OnlineExtremism #TCO #TCORegulation #TCOCluster

The National Day of Service and Remembrance, observed on September 11th, honors the victims, survivors, and heroes of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. It serves as a tribute to the nearly 3,000 lives lost and the countless others affected, while also promoting unity, community service, and the ongoing fight against terrorism. #Honoring the Fallen The day commemorates the lives lost in the 9/11 attacks, including civilians, first responders, and rescue workers who bravely sacrificed their lives while saving others. #Supporting Survivors and Families It’s a time to remember and stand with the survivors and the families who lost loved ones, offering them continued support and acknowledgment of their resilience. #Celebrating Heroism Tribute is paid to the selfless acts of first responders, firefighters, police officers, and ordinary citizens who risked their lives during and after the attacks. #Acts of Service The day has become synonymous with community service, where individuals and organizations engage in volunteer activities, reflecting the compassion and unity that emerged in the aftermath of 9/11. #Moment of Silence A moment of silence is observed at 8:46 AM (ET), the time when the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center, in a solemn tribute to the victims. #Fight Against Terrorism: #Global Counterterrorism Efforts The day reminds the world of the importance of international cooperation in fighting terrorism, with nations working together to prevent and respond to terrorist threats. #Strengthening National Security Post-9/11, security measures have been enhanced globally, including stricter airport screenings, intelligence sharing, and counterterrorism strategies to prevent future attacks. #Community Vigilance It underscores the need for public awareness and vigilance. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activities, as community cooperation is vital in thwarting terrorism. #Addressing Root Causes Fighting terrorism also involves addressing the underlying factors that fuel extremism, such as political instability, poverty, and lack of education. International aid and development efforts are key to preventing radicalization. #Promoting Peace and Tolerance Beyond military and security actions, combating terrorism requires fostering peace, tolerance, and understanding between different cultures and religions. Interfaith dialogues, education, and cross-cultural exchange help build a more inclusive and peaceful world. #Cybersecurity In the modern era, terrorism has expanded into the digital world. Strengthening cybersecurity infrastructure and monitoring online extremist content is essential to combat cyber-terrorism and the spread of radical ideologies. The National Day of Service and Remembrance transforms the tragedy of 9/11 into a day of unity, community service, and reflection, while also highlighting the ongoing global effort to prevent terrorism and promote peace.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Intelligence and Analysis presents the 2025 Homeland Threat Assessment (HTA), which provides insights from across the Department and other homeland security stakeholders to identify the most direct, pressing threats to our Homeland during the next fiscal year. This Assessment organizes evolving threats to homeland security missions arising from the dynamic terrorist threat, the increasing complexities straining the immigration system, transnational organized crime, proliferating cyber threats, and geopolitical strategic competition into four sections: Public Safety and Security, Border and Immigration Security, Critical Infrastructure Security, and Economic Security. Throughout this Assessment, enduring issues are examined, such as the development and proliferation of new technologies and climate change, which involve various mission areas and impact multiple threats.  The HTA describes a threat environment that is expected to “remain high” over the coming year. https://lnkd.in/e9vsxDaB #nationalsecurity #homelandsecurity #highthreat #threat #threats #threatassessment #intel #intelligence #publicsafety #terrorism #extremism #violentextremism #criticalinfrastructure #security #assessment #resource

From today's Security & Resilience Update: As geopolitical tensions persist, foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) exploit these to incite violence, particularly targeting the West. Recent warnings from security agencies, including the FBI, underscore the ongoing risk posed by these groups and the call for vigilance. Highlights of the threats include: 📺 The use of foreign terrorist media to inspire attacks on U.S. and European targets. ‼ The recent increase in self-radicalization and recruitment by these groups amid global conflicts. 🚰 The necessity for water and wastewater utilities, among others, to remain alert to any suspicious activities that could indicate potential threats. We must stay informed and proactive in our security measures to protect against these evolving threats. For those in the security and resilience sectors, understanding these dynamics is crucial for safeguarding our communities. Read more about the current security landscape and access resources on how to prepare and respond: https://lnkd.in/eZYsqBCc #SecurityAndResilience #CounterTerrorism #DigitalVigilance #PublicSafety

📘 European Commission Report | FRISCO officially highlighted ! Our work at FRISCO EU project was recently highlighted in a European Commission report published on the 14th of February 2024. This report is dedicated to the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2021/784 on addressing the dissemination of terrorist content online. The major findings stemming from our mapping report are presented, the objectives of our project and our participation in the TCO Cluster (with ALLIES EU-Project and Tech Against Terrorism Europe) are also recalled. To access the full report, click here : https://lnkd.in/eR7e_63W To read our mapping report, click here : https://lnkd.in/eEii8AnW NCSR "DEMOKRITOS" - Violence Prevention Network gGmbH - Tremau - CIVIPOL - European Digital Learning Network ETS - IVSZ - IT Association of Hungary - International Network Against Cyber Hate (INACH) #TerroristContentOnline  #Cybersecurity #SecurityEU #CounterTerrorism #Extremism #OnlineExtremism #TCO #TCORegulation #TCOCluster

At the 2024 Global Summit on Terrorism and Political Violence, Karen Greenberg and Matt Olsen shared their insights on the evolving landscape of national security threats, in a fireside chat titled “Today’s National Security Challenges.” He highlighted how, since 9/11, threats have become more fragmented and diverse, including international terrorism, state-sponsored terrorism, and domestic terrorism. The rise of lone actors and small cells, often radicalized online, poses a significant challenge, while foreign election interference remains a "clear and present danger." He stressed the importance of interagency cooperation in addressing the complexity of contemporary threats and highlighted the need to utilize all available tools—military and law enforcement alike—to safeguard American interests, underscoring the constant evolution required in our strategies to keep pace with emerging threats. Watch in full: https://lnkd.in/e3bTKSGq #NationalSecurity #Cybersecurity #CounterTerrorism #ElectionSecurity #AgilityInSecurity

Today marks the beginning of #AntiterrorismAwarenessMonth. CNA’s Countering Threats and Challenges Program performs vital research to help the US government counter terrorism. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/erNPwXCk

Having been trained by the USA Varsity ROTC near the Varsity Armory in 1990s - the target shooting outcome is irrelevant, I have already proven with certainty that Islam Motivated Terrorism In All Forms & Manifestations Is Unjustifiable & High Dangerous & Continuously Pose Imminent Threats.  General Clark's Stratagem is par excellence. We must target and destroy the terrorist network. There is no room for half measures https://lnkd.in/gErtpncE