The CounteR Project Engaged with Stakeholders at the Security Research Event in Brussels

We are thrilled to announce that CounteR, dedicated to combatting radicalization and terrorism, was present at the "Security Research Event 2023" held in Brussels on the 24th and 25th of October 2023. Experts from ASSIST Software, the project coordinator, and the European Institute, the dissemination partner, represented the CounteR consortium at the event, promoting the project’s results and engaging with stakeholders.  

The event brought together experts in the field of security research to address challenges stemming from global megatrends that are reshaping the landscape of security within the European Union. It was an excellent opportunity to network with a wide variety of stakeholders, esteemed research organizations, EU institutions, security and safety practitioners, industry experts, and similar projects. This enabled participants to explore emerging trends and identify potential synergies and opportunities to advance research in the security field by leveraging the valuable results and findings of ongoing research projects.  

The investigated megatrends include climate change, societal transformation, and ever-growing digitalization, which impact society at all levels and offer new avenues for criminal activities. Consequently, security authorities must adjust to these shifts and reassess the skills and resources needed to carry out their mission in this changing environment effectively. 

Some of the key points discussed during the event were related to the following aspects:

• The convergence of various global issues, including climate change, financial crises, digitalization, and political movements, and the need for stakeholders in security research to collaborate, use everyday language, and align with end-users, academia, and technology 

• The level of preparedness for CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) disasters, underlining the necessity to engage citizens in practical exercises and simulations and to raise public awareness regarding disasters triggered by climate change 

• Cybercrime and the role of the research community to connect all actors in the security ecosystem – law enforcement agencies, society, and technological companies – to tackle these emerging challenges  

The CounteR project's participation in this event is a testament to its commitment to advancing the field of security research and addressing the complex challenges posed by the convergence of societal transformations and digitalization. In an ever-changing world, where security is paramount, CounteR is dedicated to contributing to a safer and more secure future for all. 

The Privacy-First Situational Awareness Platform for Violent Terrorism and Crime Prediction, Counter Radicalization and Citizen Protection Project or CounteR is funded by the Horizon 2020 program of the European Union and submitted under the H2020-SU-SEC-2020 call for proposals, with project ID 101021607.