PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS: 29th May 2012
Examining the methods associated with a preemptive threat analysis

09:00 - 12:00 WORKSHOP A: Exploring the use of data management to allow tracking and tracing of insurgents before the device is planted

As the number of IEDs planted continues to increase, the methods being used to combat this problem continue to evolve to a more holistic and ultimately proactive approach. As troops strive to put greater effort and provisions on attacking the network, the importance of ensuring that the data gathered at IED sites is properly structured, formatted and saved is growing. Often too much of the component data collected on IEDs is not being optimally shared among allied forces, particularly at the tactical level. If this could change, the collected data could be harnessed to allow an invaluable source of intelligence to identify potential bomb-making cells and provide support to the human and signals intelligence that currently drives the hunt for bomb makers.

This workshop will provide:

• Opportunity to understand Component Level Analysis of IED Networks
• Detailed look at IEDNA and component level analysis methodologies
• Demonstration of the on-scene data collection device and the streamlined reporting process
• Discussion around project implementation updates and how this will effect work in the field

Led by:

LT Deak Childress
U.S. Navy Research

LT John Taylor
U.S. Navy Research

13:00 - 16:00 WORKSHOP B: Web Intelligent forensic reporting as a key to qualifying and quantifying current IED trends and future IED threats.

Al-Khemia™ delivers an in depth analysis of real-life explosives recipes as they appear in hard-core terrorist forums and knowledge bases. Exposing these recipes and components is key to rooting-out the IED threat from its source: the makeshift-labs and workshops where modern day IEDs are created.

Reports typically consist of 2 parts:

Authentic Intelligence Materials: Covers the entire explosives recipe, textual or videoed, which is translated in full by Terrogence expert technical translators, including all stages and instructions as presented to terror activists within the forum or database of origin.

Technical Analysis: Covers a complete chemical analysis of the resulting explosive created. Following the recipe to the letter, the explosive is analysed by state of the art analytical tools, chemists and engineers, providing all necessary chemical data including chemical structure, analytical methods, impurities, energy contents and much more.

By attending this highly innovative workshop you will benefit from:

• Introduction: The power of web intelligence in generating a forensic understanding of HME and IED-related events and the real impact on C-IED and EOD measures in the field.
• Case Study #1: Examining a "hot" trend in terrorist homemade explosives and the role and scope of forensic chemical intelligence in formulating a pre-emptive response.
• Case Study #2: Analysis of an emerging MO and its associated micro-trends that greatly influence the readiness of C-IED and EOD units.
• Effective web intelligence techniques for C-IED with Case Study.
• Discussion on counter-measure awareness intelligence and how it impacts C-IED field efforts.

Led By:

Gadi Aviran
Founder and CEO of
Terrogence Ltd

Counter-IEDs Post-Conference Workshops: 1st June 2012

09:00 - 12:00 WORKSHOP C: Working for pre-emptive threat analysis: How can we identify trends both in-theatre and at home to better enable development of technology?

Whilst it is vital that efforts are maintained to disrupt insurgent networks and ensure that troops are well prepared, the reality of the situation means that troops are still required to defeat IEDs on a very regular basis.

This brings the focus back to technology solutions. Despite heavy investment in such solutions and some major developments, a true technological solution has yet to be found that can effectively counter whatever the terrorist or insurgent can field.

This workshop will explore the future application of technology both in-theatre and for matters of homeland security. It will examine how trends can be anticipated through exploitation of intelligence and network mapping to better predict future trends and thus how to combat them.

These issues are very revalent for all equipment designers and manufacturers and anyone who has an active role in defeating the device!

Attending this workshop will enable you to:

• Explore how trend analysis can be used to gain a better insight into how the future IEDs can be countered
• Discuss what will be driving future designs and ensure that you have the most up-to-date knowledge of the requirements your products will need to fulfil
• Understand what the battlefield of the future may look like and ensure that you are fully prepared to counter this threat

Led By:

Professor Caroline Kennedy-Pipe
Director of the Centre for Security Studies
Hull University

13:00 - 16:00 WORKSHOP D: Emerging EOD robotics to improve capability and reduce the threat to EOD teams

With current technology developing at a rapid rate, the support this provides provide to frontline troops is only going to increase. However, the vast choice of technology and solutions available means that there is no clear choice for procurement. With militaries scrutinising their investments more carefully than ever, the need for a clear understanding of robotics capability and the potential value it will add to operations is more useful than ever. This workshop will explore how current operations are being supported by robotics technology and where future developments are likely to be made.

Working through both the merits and downfalls that such technology can bring to todays EOD teams, attending this workshop will enable you to:

• Have the most up=to-date knowledge concerning EOD robotics and the current capabilities of this technology
• Examine the future advances that are likely to be made and how this may shape future capabilities and improve the safety of our troops
• Discuss the support being given to current operations and how this can be maximised to improve capability
• Explore the advances that are being made in this area and how you can help shape the future of robotics

Led By:

Dr David Hopper
Independent Robotics Consultant