The Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) has warned that it is unclear how well essential national infrastructure is protected against a terrorist attack. The security supply industry, one of the four sectors represented by SBAC (with civil air transport, defence and space), is calling for a debate to determine if further regulation of private infrastructure providers is needed to protect key facilities against a range of threats.
The security industry, a key partner with the authorities in preventing terrorist attacks, can only be effective if it is fully engaged by the Government and private infrastructure providers. Further legislation may be needed to empower public and private bodies, such as the utility regulators and infrastructure operators, to take into account security provision when judging investment and competition issues, according to the trade body.
Hugo Rosemont, SBAC Security Spokesman, said: “It is unclear how well the UK’s critical national infrastructure is prepared for, and protected against, terrorist attacks. With facilities such as power stations and transport hubs in private hands – thus required to focus on getting the best return for shareholders – there needs to be a debate about whether further regulation is needed to ensure that these vital facilities are adequately secured.
“Just because the newspaper front pages and TV bulletins are dominated by the recession regrettably this does not mean that the terror threat has disappeared. The authorities, assisted by the UK security industry and its world-leading products, are hard at work every day to prevent new terror attacks in Britain. However, to be successful over the long-term the security industry must be fully engaged by infrastructure providers.
“The Government rightly recognises that it cannot tackle security challenges alone and that industry is a key component of the fight against terrorism. The UK security industry possesses a broad range of capabilities that can support the Home Office and other agencies in the field of national security. We are keen to continue the close working relationship that the industry has established with the UK authorities to protect the UK population, its businesses and its infrastructure. To do this the public sector should consider devoting greater attention in its planning documents to the role that the private sector should play.”
Mr Rosemont was participating today at Counter Terror Expo on the role of the private sector in countering terrorism. For more information on the conference – www.counterterrorexpo.com
The SBAC has also published five policy papers on the private sector’s role in security issues covering:
Critical National Infrastructure protection;
Counter-terrorism technology liability protection;
The private sector’s role in counter-terrorism;
A central single Government security procurement agency; and
Supporting the Government in counter-terrorism through RISC.
These are available, with other SBAC security work, at www.sbac.co.uk/security
About SBAC
The Society of British Aerospace Companies is the UK’s national trade association representing companies supplying civil air transport, defence, homeland security and space. SBAC encompasses the British Aviation Group. With its regional partners, SBAC represents over 2,600 companies.
The SBAC Security and Resilience Network is made up of 80 individuals from 30 member companies possessing active security programmes in the UK or overseas. To know more go to www.sbac.co.uk/security
SBAC is also a member of the UK Security and Resilience Industry Suppliers’ Community (RISC) – more information on which can be found at www.riscuk.org.
