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In April 2011, the LOGSEC Consortium published its findings from a year long research project to develop a Strategic Roadmap towards a large scale demonstration project in European Logistics and Supply Chain Security. The LOGSEC project uncovered the gaps in supply chain security and proposed recommendations for future research and demonstration activities, within and beyond the 7th Framework Program (FP7) in the EU.

“The Administration supports House (of Representatives) passage of H.R. 2017, making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012. The Administration is committed to ensuring the Nation lives within its means and reducing the deficit so that the Nation can compete in the global economy and win the future”.

Piracy is an aspect of the broader problem of disorder at sea that encourages maritime criminality. It gives insurgents and terrorists the freedom to operate. In this context, maritime terrorism, though currently only a low-level threat, has the potential to spread and become more effective in the event of political change on land.

Known consignor (or trusted shipper) programmes where shippers must be validated by independent auditors or government inspectors, are becoming the standard for securing air cargo transported on passenger aircraft in the EU and the US. In the EU these voluntary procedures are specified under Regulation No (EC) 300/2008 and implementing Regulation No (EU) 185/2010.

Two items of interest to the transportation and security community were recently addressed by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO).

An interesting Europol report on the EU Terrorism Situation and Trend Report differentiates between Islamic; separatist; left-wing and anarchist; and right-wing and single issue terrorism. A US Heritage Foundation background discussion of the EU-US Counterterrorism Relationship provides a number of though provoking “talking-points”.

A final rule issued by Transportation Security Administration (TSA), effective May 23, 2011, establishes the process for persons reporting to TSA regarding any transportation-related security problem, deficiency, or vulnerability. A report by the US Transport Workers Union (TWU) discusses gaps in training, oversight and screening of third- party mechanics

Presenting a white paper titled "Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area - Towards a Competitive and Resource Efficient Transport System" in Brussels, EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas said doing away with the conventional sources of energy "must be achieved without sacrificing its efficiency and compromising mobility."

The European Security Research Programme (ESRP) is a €1.4 billion component of the current seven-year EU Framework Research Programme (FP7, 2007-13). The ESRP has the twin objectives of enhancing public safety through the development of security technologies and fostering the growth of a globally competitive European 'Homeland Security' market.

Following from the EU-US Aviation Security Agreement discussion in a previous newsletter, the editors review the “Council Decision on the signing, on behalf of the Union, and provisional application of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) between the European Union and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) providing a framework for enhanced cooperation”. As discussed hereinafter, the Commission however faces opposition from EU Member State Governments’ when drafting legislation to enhance the security of European citizens

On March 15th, 2011, the European Council authorised the conclusion of an agreement between the EU and the US on cooperation in the regulation of civil aviation safety (originally) signed in June 2008.

A joint press release of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the World Customs Organisation (WCO) proposes to: “firm up cooperation on global air cargo security”. A second ICAO announcement relates to the adoption of a Roadmap by 14 ICAO Member States to “further protect global air transport from terrorist and other security threats”

Testimony at a hearing before the Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security, of the US House of Representatives on “Securing air Cargo from the Threat of Terrorism”.

Cyber security was named as one of the top global risks in the “Global Risks 2011” report published recently by the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The report expressed concern that the Stuxnet virus, which damaged Iran’s nuclear centrifuges, may have sparked a cyber arms race.

Developments of interest in the international Homeland Security arena discussing U.S. National Terrorism Advisory System; 2011 US Homeland Security Address; U.S. National Counterterrorism Centre and RAND Corporation testimony:

An update on the requirement for 100% screening on air cargo on passenger aircraft inbound for the U.S. and testimony at a number of US Senate hearings held towards the end of 2010.

Recent events have brought together a number of emerging initiatives and trends which indicate that 2011 may be a watershed year for convergence of measures involving supply chain security and aviation security. We review the more significant announcements, and report on both government and industry positions.

“Recent developments within Europe (including, by way of example, the creation of the European Common Aviation Area) mean that the EU is confident that it has the means to ensure a high level of aviation security in respect of flights from Member States and certain third-countries. However, in respect of other third-countries, there is a concern that the EU may not have the ability to lawfully monitor aviation security standards, nor to take remedial action if minimum standards are not met”.