The UK's homeland security market is divided into two sectors – National Security, coping with terrorist threat and activity, and Resilience, the management of natural and non-terrorist emergencies. There are substantial, and growing, opportunities for Scottish electronics companies working in the homeland security industry.
Security industry opportunities and expertise in Scotland
The security market requirements are complex, thus offering a variety of opportunities for innovative technologies. Scotland has a strong track record in the many technologies used to support national security and resilience, including:
- Identification & Authentication - technology to identify individuals or personnel.
- Screening – technology to investigate the safety and legality of cargo, people and vehicles, involving X-ray, radar and CBRNE detection.
- Surveillance – including CCTV, wide spectrum detection and smart surveillance for multiple users such as international airports.
- Tracking – including technology used to follow an object and determine its movements and location, and involving GPS, 3G/GSM and RFID systems.
- Sensors – for applications such as screening and CBRNE detection, using related technology such as radar and real-time processing.
- Data Analysis – including technology to enable information to be interpreted and utilised more effectively.
- Cyber Security – technology enabling the secure transfer of information between often disparate agencies.
Commercial strengths of Scotland’s security industry
The 100 companies who make up the homeland security industry operate across a wide spectrum of technologies and are supported by the world-class research taking place at Scotland’s illustrious universities.
- Scotland's Government actively supports the security sector, providing a highly attractive regulatory environment for companies.
- The home office has committed spending of £70 million per annum, making it an important market for Scottish companies.
- More than two-thirds of Scotland's homeland security industry is based within 50 miles of Edinburgh and Glasgow, thus allowing easy access to universities, other technology-based industries and a highly trained workforce.
- Collaboration opportunities within the security sector are encouraged by a number of initiatives and agencies.
Scottish Development International provides active support for the Scottish electronics sector
Contact SDI for more information about the support we offer to companies working in the security sector and to other electronics industries in Scotland