Specific Challenge:

Innovation for border and external security may draw, in particular, from novel technologies, provided that they are affordable, accepted by citizens and customized and implemented for the needs of security practitioners.

Scope:

Proposals are invited to address related research and innovation issues, in particular:

• Sub-topic 1: [2018] Providing integrated situational awareness and applying augmented reality to border security

Currently, information is made available to border and coast guards in several formats and on different kinds of hardly interoperable displays. However, human cognitive is limited at managing information from several sources simultaneously and at handling too many separate pieces of equipment is a limit to their ability to act. Furthermore, border and coast guards often work in sparsely populated and remote areas where the availability of telecommunication networks may be an issue. Research and innovation should lead towards (cloud-based) integrated systems with simple but complete and highly-standardized interfaces showing real-time information in a user-friendly way that can assist border guards in decision-making, and in remaining in contact with their command and control centre in the actual context of operations. Water, land and air operating resources should be taken into account, to lead to enhanced concept of employment, integration and interoperability standards.

• Sub-topic 2: [2018] Detecting fraud, verifying document validity, and alternative technologies to identifying people

The use of counterfeit travel documents at borders is a reality, which entails the risk of not identifying known criminals, including terrorists. It is a cross-cutting priority according to the EU Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment 2017^[1], since it enables or enhances all types of serious and organized crime and terrorism. New countermeasures are needed to address potential frauds, in particular for the detection of morphed face images. The use of biometrics "on the fly" techniques for identification in a non-intrusive manner and without interrupting the flow of people is an area for further development, testing and validation.

• Sub-topic: [2018-2019-2020] Open

Proposals addressing other issues relevant to this challenge, based on a sound rationale and supported by a large number of relevant practitioners are invited to apply under this sub-topic (see eligibility and admissibility conditions.)

Proposals should lead to solutions developed, tested, and validated in compliance with European societal values, fundamental rights and applicable legislation, including in the area of free movement of persons, privacy and protection of personal data. Societal aspects (e.g. perception of security, possible side effects of technological solutions, societal resilience) have to be addressed in a comprehensive and thorough manner.

Expected Impact:

Short term:

• Clear, realistic benchmarks against which to assess progress, so as to possibly stop the project if at mid-term review progress is not deemed sufficient.
• Plan to provide confidence in the take up of project results after the completion of the project.

Medium term:

• Evidence based knowledge, and developments performing beyond the current state of the art and leading quickly to innovation.
• Technical and operational guidelines, recommendations and best practices set in the EUROSUR handbook and in the future handbook for coast guards (as per Article 53 of the European Border and Coast Guard regulation.)

Long term:

• Implementation of solutions resulting from the legislative initiative in the "Smart Borders" package;
• Implementation of actions of civilian nature identified in the EU Maritime Security Strategy action plan;
• Implementation of the actions identified by the EU Strategy and Action Plan for customs risk management.