Security research

Imperial College London has launched a new security research institute which will be used to develop technologies for increasing safety and security in society.

Research at the Institute for Security Science and Technology will range from techniques for preventing identity theft to safeguarding transport infrastructure, energy supplies and communication networks.

The institute’s director, Sir Keith O’Nions, former director-general of science and innovation in the government’s Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS), will analyse present and future threats to safety and security, assess how technology is being used to tackle the threat and consider potential areas for technological development.

Research already underway at Imperial includes a project that uses unique ‘fingerprints’ formed by microscopic surface imperfections on all paper documents, plastic cards and packaging to prevent fraud and increase security for items such as passports and credit cards.