Investment

Cyber Security

Digital and information technology is rife with security issues, and Scotland is well placed to meet the demands of this market, having many companies and academic research programmes specialising in IT and cyber security.

An example of cyber security is technology that prevents online identity theft.

The majority of businesses rely upon IT systems to protect their trade secrets and customers’ personal information.

In addition, the government and security forces are required to combat the usage of IT by criminals and terrorists.

Scotland is home to the company which:

• Created the first web content filter that could accurately analyse and categorise web pages in real-time
• Created technology which allows organisations to eliminate inappropriate web and email content

CCTV

CCTV is commonly used to help reduce crime, and to protect people and property. Now intelligent functionality is expected to drive the market in future years.

There are a number of companies and academic programmes in Scotland which focus on CCTV, and intelligent technology includes cameras which can actively detect risks as well as interpreting and highlighting security issues.

For example, the new generation of cameras can spot abandoned packages or suspicious activity in crowds. And, in some cases, they can prevent criminal acts by issuing pre-recorded warnings.

In addition, cameras are being developed which can see and hear trouble. For example, the sound of glass breaking or aggressive shouting can be "learned" by the software.

Access Control

Access control uses a combination of technologies to prevent unauthorised entry to buildings and secure sites and computer-based information systems.

Companies in Scotland offer a range of access control solutions.

Biometrics, key fobs and smart cards are just a few examples of devices used to control access. Video surveillance is often deployed, too. 

Computer-based access control includes stand-alone PCs, networks and remote activity, for example when field staff require to log into central systems.

A Scottish company created a digital system for a port in Grangemouth, to integrate access control, staff authentication and video surveillance across four different points from one single command centre.

Large Scale Events

Numerous high-profile, large-scale events take placein the UK every year, including the Open GolfChampionship, Wimbledon, cup finals and othersinvolving leisure, live music, culture and business.

Each has significant security requirements. For example, the security budget for the London 2012 Olympic Games is reportedly in the region of £600million.

Scotland has some of the leading providers ofsecurity at large-scale events. Their services include crowd management, safety stewarding and security guarding. Their expertise is also in demand overseas, having proven their ability to successfully deliver security at some of the world’s largest events.

Transport Security

There is an increasing demand for transport security in modern day society.

Airports, ports and rail all require to be protected and, as a result, screening, detection and response capabilities have become key areas of focus across our public transport networks.

Companies in Scotland provide solutions which help to protect the travelling public, transport facilities and those employed in the transport industry.

Bluelight Services

Police forces and fire and rescue services across the UK benefit strongly from the expertise of Scottish security and resilience companies.

For example, police forces use mobile computer systems which offer a direct, secure, reliable and fast connection to their field offices. In addition, sophisticated software is used for crime pattern analysis, crime scene mapping and operational planning.

And, of course, every incident involving the emergency services occurs at a place that can be geographically referenced, so geographic information systems play a vital role.

Data

Intelligence and information management are central elements of modern police and government security systems, and Scotland is a rich source of data analysis specialists.

Data systems can be used to identify terrorist activities, such as communications and currency transfers, and to identify and track terrorists, perhaps through immigration and travel records.

Today security companies can use data analysis to piece together the huge number of information fragments which are generated by electronic activity and transactions today.

Data analysis is also used for early phase fraud detection and suspicious activity reporting.

Surveillance

Surveillance solutions from companies in Scotland are extremely sophisticated, and they include theusage of GPS tracking devices and CCTV systems.In some cases, the information captured can be streamed real-time to various devices such aslaptops, control rooms and smart-phones.

Wireless equipment includes body-worn cameras, which are often disguised, and other forms of surveillance equipment have been developed to intercept electronically transmitted information (such as internet traffic or phone calls).

One form of computer surveillance involves reading electromagnetic emanations from devices in order toextract data from great distances.