Introduction
Homeland security is an issue which is of interest for our society and dominates the political discourse. Crime determines the events in many locations. Civilian attacks and globally initiated acts of terror are no longer abstract news, but take place in the midst of our society. The German Federal President Herzog noted in his "Ruck-Rede" 20 years ago: "We are now experiencing the fact that the increase in security through state precaution is often more important to the people than the associated loss of freedom."
Technology can contribute decisively to helping the state and its forces, as well as implementing tasks and commitments efficiently, effectively and at a high quality level. The promotion of innovation in cross-organizational cooperation between the scientific community, researchers and experts is necessary. In the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region, research facilities, universities and technical colleges as well as relevant industry are located. DITS moderates and provides assistance, experience and competence.
It is undisputed that large organizations dominated by processes, budgets, and an EBIT-related reporting system have difficulties in adequately supporting creators of promising ideas. The daily business often does not allow the "tender impulses" of innovation to grow. Valuable ideas are lost in the daily business. It requires special attention of independent forces to create an atmosphere of freedom, trust, openness and cooperative behavior in teams to promote innovation. This also includes the support of start-ups in general and the motivated entrepreneurs in particular.
Objectives
Our society today faces asymmetric threats as well as best equipped and financed opponents of the state and its citizens. Illegal and unexpected attacks require fast, efficient and effective responses from the responsible authorities and the forces involved. Homeland security refers to the protection of society and the state from crime, terrorism, and similar threats arising out of the interior of society itself or generated from global developments or processes. Citizens expect security, safety, efficiency and success in suitable countermeasures in these activities from the security authorities.
Many influencing factors have to be taken into account - the availability of supporting, innovative technology is one of the prerequisites for every successful action. Innovation does not fall out of the sky, but emerges only in an environment that affects many partial aspects positively. These include in particular: market-oriented ideas, creativity, know-how, motivation, financing options and professional project management. Excellent and practical solutions need active support from both science and the stakeholders. Visionary, far-sighted and competent developers as well as the active support of the potential customer create a productive and goal-oriented working environment.
The integration of science into interdisciplinary projects for the exploration of the foundations and the development of marketable demonstrators is without alternatives. User interests must be suitably represented. Cooperation and sharing of information and budgets is indispensable. Publications are a partial result, but the common goal is innovation - a successful product in the market.
Products are introduced, maintained and further developed by the industry in the global market. Marketing and sales in niche markets can be favorably promoted by joint activities. Conferences, workshops, exhibition presentations, image formation are topics that are organized economically in working groups and coordinated community activities.
Start-ups and working groups of young companies are an option to promote speed, motivation and technology excellence. Many competences must be combined to start and successfully pursue a start-up project in excellent conditions. Successful products usually have a very straight history: from an idea, a dynamic project develops which concludes with a demanding and extremely competitive innovation.
Companies, with the willingness to form consortiums, benefit from spatial proximity and the exchange of ideas. The customer perceives the community as a concentrated entity. The whole is more than just the sum of its individual parts. Trust in performance and reliability is increased. A start-up business incubator helps with the implementation.
Innovative, technically oriented companies benefit from the proximity of relevant universities, research facilities and industry. Suggestions, co-operation and opportunities for further education offer attractive prospects for technicians and scientists. The opportunities for attracting suitable employees are decisively determined by the location.
Policy creates framework conditions. In particular, funding programs help to reduce the risk in the initial phases of a start-up project. The consideration of ethical principles and their transparent communication and discussion is absolutely without alternative.
DITS, as a non-profit association, promotes applied science and research in innovative projects, as well as education and training with information events, conferences and publications. The aim is to build up and create a distinctive and visible location in the metropolitan region for the broad field of security technologies and crime prevention.
| Title | SecValley - Security technology in the Metropolitan Region |
| Short description | Research and development are the driving force behind innovations - also in the field of homeland security. Top performance grows with the pooling of expertise, appropriate resources, coordinated activities and the promotion of motivated, excellent start-ups - DITS helps, the metropolitan region provides the best framework and conditions for success. |
Links and downloads
DITS Projekte [pdf]
DITS Projects [pdf]- SecValley Informationsblatt [pdf]
- SecValley Information flyer [pdf]