Online platform aims to help SMEs prepare for terror attacks

A new online platform which aims to enhance collaboration between business, industry and the public sector has been announced.

This joint initiative will see an interactive online platform developed to provide secure expert advice and training to businesses in order to help them develop their own counter-terrorism approaches.  

The £10 million project is being funded by terrorism reinsurer Pool Re and led by Counter Terrorism Policing in partnership with the Joint Security and Resilience Centre It is being developed primarily for the private sector, specifically focused on small and medium-sized businesses for whom access to expert external advice can sometimes be costly. Technical development will start later this year.

Security Minister Ben Wallace announced the project at the Home Office Security and Policing Event in Farnborough. He said:

"This project is one of the first of its kind - a collaboration between the police, the insurance sector, and the government that will help to keep the country safe and secure.

"If we are to properly respond to the terrorist threat, we need to ensure everyone plays their part. That is why partnerships like this one are so vital and I thank Pool Re for their leadership."

Pool Re Chairman Geoff Riddell said:

"Pool Re and the insurance industry are uniquely placed to promote resilience, protect the UK’s economic infrastructure and enhance national security interests by improving the UK’s ability to tackle terrorism.

"We take this responsibility very seriously, and as such are delighted to be collaborating with the Home Office and counter terrorism policing to deliver this critical initiative."

The national policing lead for Protective Security, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Lucy D’Orsi, said:

"Since the tragic events of 2017, counter terrorism policing has been working alongside government and the private sector to strengthen our defences against terrorism through greater collaboration and information sharing.

"That is why this ground-breaking new platform is so important, as it will allow businesses to access credible information 24/7, connect users to experts, provide accredited online training and send direct messages in the event of an attack – strengthening our frontline against the unprecedented threat.

"By supporting this initiative, Pool Re will improve the engagement, collaboration and sharing of information between the private sector, policing and the security services - resulting in a better assessment of emerging threats and helping us to work together to keep the UK safer."