Defence and Security Research

The RAND Europe Defence & Security team conducts a broad range of research for policy makers in Europe and beyond. The RAND Corporation has long been recognized for its contributions to defence and security policy. RAND Europe furthers this tradition by offering a dedicated research team with wide-ranging expertise, covering key defence issues such as equipment acquisition and personnel policy, and security issues ranging from those in the domestic and in the international spheres. The RAND Europe Defence and Security team is structured to assist policy and decision makers in facing the composite challenges generated by today's security environment, and where appropriate can leverage the contacts and knowledge of other RAND offices worldwide. The team provides expertise in Defence, Security and Counter-Terrorism, and International Security and Development.

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Cybersecurity: Examining the Challenges for the Future

Cyberspace is increasingly important for economic growth, openness and democracy, but poor cybersecurity can make governments, businesses, and citizens open to cyber attack and cyber crime. RAND Europe has conducted extensive research in various domains relating to cyberspace and has an established track record of advising decisionmakers in a range of areas to help formulate policy relating to cyberspace.

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Assessing the Public Perception of Security and Privacy in Europe

Security technologies and related measures are implemented to mitigate likely risks from terrorist attacks and other threats, but these technologies and measures may compete with privacy and civil liberties. RAND Europe is participating in PACT, a 3-year EU-funded research project to assess existing knowledge about the relation between security and privacy; collect empirical evidence through a pan-European survey; and analyze the main factors that affect how the public perceives the security and privacy implications of security technology.

Examining Military Capabilities for Cyber Defence

The European Defence Agency (EDA) has asked RAND Europe to compile an inventory of cyber defence capabilities at the European level (in the context of EU-led missions) and of European Member States. The research will gather empirical evidence on policy, doctrine, training, and organisational issues relating to military cyber-defence capabilities. Given the role of non-military actors in cyberspace, the study will analyse and chart the interdependencies between military cyberdefence and other organisations, such as national and governmental computer emergency response teams.

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Exploring How the EU Should Establish a Cybercrime Centre — 28 Mar 2012

A European Cybercrime Centre (ECC) hosted by Europol would bring together input from several different entities and drive a common approach to tackling cybercrime. To gather background evidence for this initiative, RAND Europe researchers visited a number of EU Member States' high tech crime units to better understand their capabilities, conducted interviews with EU-level stakeholders, and held a scenario-based workshop where organisations could discuss the work and impact of an ECC.

Radicalisation of Extremist Prisoners Remains Public Safety Concern — 20 Feb 2012

In 2010, RAND Europe provided a preliminary overview of the challenges posed by radicalised prisoners, and to explore the potential for radicalisation of young European Muslims in the prison environment. The research, which remains relevant today, draws on the body of existing prison theory literature, historical case examples and contemporary sources. It focuses on the potential in prison for extremist activity, including radicalisation, and highlights a number of areas where further research and action may be desirable.

Can Individuals' Patterns of Behaviour Predict Violent Jihadist Actions? — 25 Jul 2011

To determine whether it may be possible to identify and disrupt individuals and groups engaged in planning a terrorist attack, RAND Europe researchers analysed the pre-attack behaviours of the most significant Jihadist terrorist groups in the UK. The research demonstrates that there are certain distinctive behavioural characteristics displayed as a result of planning, preparing, and implementing an act of terrorism, but more research will be needed to identify "signal indicators."

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Defence and Security

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Matt Bassford, Director, Defence and Security, RAND Europe

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Pung Discusses Scottish Defence Industry in BBC Radio Interview — 21 May 2012

The British government has said it would not sign defence contracts with Scotland should it vote in 2014 for independence from the United Kingdom. RAND Europe vice president Hans Pung was interviewed by BBC Radio about the future of the Scottish defence industry should it secede. Pung notes, "It would be very difficult to move [aircraft carrier construction] quickly and easily elsewhere in the UK." The 6-minute interview starts at 44:13 in the programme.