Glossary
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
A
ACDP- Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens
ACDP advises Government on the classification of dangerous pathogens.
ACPO - Association of Chief Police Officers
ACPO coordinates policing policies on behalf of 43 forces across England and Wales. It liaises with Government on dealing with civil emergencies and terrorist incidents. The National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) works to ACPO and provides a co-ordinating role for the police service in regard to counter-terrorism and protective security.
ACPOS - Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland
Provides a policy coordinating role for the 8 Scottish police forces.
ACPO(TAM) - Association of Chief Police Officers (Terrorism and Allied Matters)
The business area of ACPO which deals with terrorism, extremism and associated issues.
AN - Ammonium Nitrate
Ammonium Nitrate is an inorganic fertiliser that is the chief source of nitrogen for UK agriculture. AN has been used by terrorists for many years to make powerful Home Made Explosive (HME) by mixing it with other chemicals. It has featured in numerous high profile attacks such as Omagh (1998) , Oklahoma (1995) and Mumbai (2006). More information at www.secureyourfertiliser.gov.uk
AQ - Al Qaeda.
Terrorist organisation headed by Osama bin Laden. Al Qaeda is also used as an umbrella term to cover a number of groups who broadly support Osama bin Laden's aims and are willing to engage in terrorist attacks to further these aims.
ATCSA - Anti Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001
Parliament passed the ATCSA in December 2001 in response to the heightened threat of terrorist attacks in the UK in the wake of 11 September 2001. The Act includes a range of measures designed to increase the effectiveness of the authorities in combating those directly involved in, or supporting, terrorism. Further legislation has since been introduced to amend and support ATCSA.
B
BSA - Bomb Shelter Area
Internal area of a building that offers personnel protection against the effects of an explosion, predominantly fragmentation and blast.
BSI - British Standards Institute
A standards and quality services organisation. It is the National Standards body for the UK, responsible for facilitating, drafting, publishing and marketing standards and related information products. British Standards cover every area of life from technical guidelines for tangible products through to industrial and management processes. The display of a British Standards number (e.g. BS 3621) on a consumer product shows that the manufacturer claims to have made the product in accordance with the British Standard. Sometimes BS will be accompanied by the letters EN or ISO. These mean that the standard was developed as a European (EN) or International (ISO) standard and then adopted by the UK as a British Standard – e.g. BS EN 12320 (standard for padlocks)
BUSINESS CONTINUITY
Business continuity - The means of ensuring that the essential
functions of a business survive a terrorist or other incident,
such as natural disaster. NaCTSO provides advice and guidance about business continuity in the form of ‘Secure in the Knowledge’ (2.5MB pdf), ‘Expecting the Unexpected’ (0.5mb pdf) and Project ‘Argus’
C
CBRN - Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear
CBRN materials can be used in terrorist attacks or in military weapons under state programmes. The use of Sarin gas on the Tokyo underground in 1995 is an example of such a terrorist attack.
CCTV - Closed Circuit Televison
A combination of a camera, control systems and a monitor (with option to record) which allows remote observation of a specific area. Can be used for purposes of monitoring, detection, recognition, identification and deterrence. CCTV should be used a part of an integrated security system.
CESG – Communication Electronic Security Group
Arm of Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) that provides assistance on information assurance and information security issues
CL - Containment Level
The level corresponding to ACDP Hazard levels at which pathogens are stored and manipulated. For example – Anthrax bacteria would be Containment Level 3 whilst Ebola virus would be Containment Level 4.
CNC - Civil Nuclear Constabulary
Formerly the United Kingdom Energy Authority Constabulary the CNC has responsibility for the armed security of nuclear material on licensed sites in the UK and the same material whilst it is in transit. The CNC was established in April 2005 as directed by the Energy Act 2004.
CNI - Critical National Infrastructure
Those assets, services or systems that support the economic, political and social life of the UK whose importance is such that any loss or compromise would have life-threatening, serious economic or other grave social consequences for the community, or would be of immediate concern to the Government. The ten sectors are:
- Communications
- Emergency services
- Energy
- Finance
- Food
- Government and public service
- Public safety
- Health
- Transport
- Water
CONTEST
Since early 2003, the United Kingdom has had a long-term strategy for countering international terrorism (known as CONTEST). Its aim is to reduce the risk from international terrorism, so that people can go about their daily lives freely and with confidence. It is separated into 4 strands Pursue, Prevent, Protect and Prepare.
CPNI - Centre for the Protection of the National Infrastructure
An organisation formed from the merger of the National Infrastructure Security Co-ordination Centre (NISCC) and the National Security Advice Centre (NSAC). CPNI, which was launched on 1 February 2007, is responsible for providing integrated security advice to the businesses and organisations which make up the national infrastructure. NaCTSO is co-located with and works alongside CPNI. See its website at http://www.cpni.gov.uk for more information.
CTSA- Counter Terrorism Security Adviser
A specialist adviser, trained by NaCTSO who can give protective security and business continuity advice from a counter terrorism perspective. Most police forces have at least two CTSAs.
D
DEFRA - Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Defra seeks to integrate environmental, economic and social objectives and champions sustainable development. The Government department which deals with (amongst other things) agricultural issues. NaCTSO works closely with DeFRA when addressing the issue of inorganic fertilisers from a counter terrorism perspective.
DIRTY BOMB
See RDD
DPA - Data Protection Act 1998
The DPA gives individuals the right to apply for access to personal data relating to them held by public and private sector organisations. The Act contains a provision for certain exemptions from compliance with all or some of the principles and requirements, for example for the safeguarding of national security
E
EA - Environment Agency
NaCTSO works with the EA to ensure the safety and security of radioactive material in order to protect the environment in England and Wales.
EUROPOL
Europol is the European Law Enforcement Organisation which aims at improving the effectiveness and co-operation of the competent authorities in the Member States in preventing and combating terrorism, unlawful drug trafficking and other serious forms of international organised crime.
F
FCO - Foreign & Commonwealth Office
The Government department responsible for foreign affairs. FCO's travel advice draws on information from the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre at Thames House. The FCO website provides travel advice on more then 200 countries.
FOIA - Freedom of Information Act
Came into force on 1 January 2005 and allows members of the public to request access to information held by public authorities. The Security Service is not subject to the Act.
G
GCHQ
Government Communications Headquarters – based in Cheltenham. Provides intelligence from sources around the world.
GPMS – Government Protective Marking Scheme
System of marking data to ensure a consistent approach to handling and treatment of information. Data can range from ‘not protectively marked to top secret’
H
HME - Home Made Explosive
Explosive which has not been factory made on a commercial or military basis – rather it has been home-made by mixing together substances which will explode when ignited or otherwise initiated. Examples include sugar chlorate, ammonium nitrate fuel oil (anfo) or triacetone triperoxide.
HMRC - HM Revenue and Customs
HMRC is the Government department with responsibility for collecting VAT revenue, customs duties and certain other taxes. It also plays a key role in protecting the UK from illegal imports of drugs, alcohol and tobacco smuggling and tax fraud. NaCTSO works closely with HMRC in delivering Programme Cyclamen (screening for radioactive material at ports).
HOSDB - Home Office Scientific Development Branch.
HOSDB supports the Home Office’s strategic aims through the effective application of science and technology. HOSDB also provides technical support for the UK police service and Security Services. HOSDB has two sites in the UK, Sandridge, Hertfordshire and Langhurst, West Sussex.
HSE - Health and Safety Executive
The Health and Safety Commission is responsible for health and safety regulation in Great Britain. The HSE and local government are the enforcing authorise who work in support of the commission. HSC and HSE are sponsored by the Department of Work and Pensions. NaCTSO and CTSAs work closely with the HSE in matters of explosives, pathogens and other potentially dangerous material.
I
IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency
IAEA works alongside the United Nations to promote global cooperation in the field of nuclear safety and security. NaCTSO collaborates with the IAEA to deliver EU and domestic legislation relating to the security of radiological sources.
IED - Improvised Explosive Device
A device usually comprising detonator, booster and main explosive charge together with an initiation system which is intended to explode causing death, injury and damage as well as psychological impact. Home Made Explosive (HME) is predominantly used but commercial or military explosives are sometimes employed.
J
JTAC - Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre
JTAC is the UK's centre for the analysis and assessment of international terrorism. It is a self-standing organisation comprised of representatives from eleven Government departments and agencies. NaCTSO and CTSAs use the product from JTAC to help identify sites or sectors that may be under threat.
N
NCSB - National Coordinator Special Branch (see SB)
The NCSB is a non-executive position with the overall responsibility for policy, training and issues common to Special Branch nationally. NCSB supports ACPO(TAM) and Chief Constables in the leadership of Special Branches and seeks to coordinate SB activity with other UK law enforcement agencies and Government departments.
NISCC - National Infrastructure Security Co-ordination Centre.
NISCC was until recently an inter-departmental organisation which co-ordinated
and developed work to defend the CNI against electronic attack.
It worked with Government departments and agencies as well as organisations
in the private sector. NISCC also ran UNIRAS, the UK Government Computer
Emergency Response Team (CERT). NISCC has now merged with NSAC to form the Centre for the Protection of
National Infrastructure (CPNI)
NSAC - National Security Advice Centre
Part of the Security Service MI5. NSAC's role was to protect key Government
assets and the UK's Critical National Infrastructure (see CNI), such as transport,
power and water, and to reduce their vulnerability to terrorism and other threats.
NSAC has now merged with NISCC to form the Centre for the Protection of
National Infrastructure (CPNI) - see above.
O
OSA – Official Secrets Acts
All NaCTSO staff are obliged to sign and observe the Official Secrets Act.
P
PBIED - Person Borne Improvised Explosive Device
PRE CURSORS
Usually associated with illegal drugs manufacture but this term
is often applied to chemicals which can be used to make Home Made Explosive (HME).
PROSCRIPTION
Proscribed organisations are effectively ‘banned’ from operating or seeking support or funding. Currently there are 44 proscribed organisations including the IRA, Al Qaeda and the Tamil Tigers. There is an appeals process to challenge proscription.
R
RDD - Radiation Dispersal Device
An improvised device intended to disperse radioactive material thereby causing casualties and denial of access.
S
SB - Special Branch
Every UK police force has its own Special Branch (SB).
SB has a specialist intelligence function in relation to national security,
in particular countering terrorism and extremism.
SEPA - Scottish Environment Protection Agency
NaCTSO works with the SEPA to ensure the safety and security of radioactive material in order to protect the environment in Scotland.
SOCA - Serious and Organised Crime Agency
SOCA has been operational since April 2006,
bringing together existing agencies such as NCIS, NCS and HMRC to create a single,
intelligence-driven specialist organisation focussed on combating organised crime
T
TACT 2000 - Terrorism Act 2000
TRANSEC - Transport Security
Part of the Department for Transport. NaCTSO and the CTSAs work with TRANSEC in the areas of port security and transport of hazardous goods.
TROJAN VEHICLE
A vehicle disguised as another in order to facilitate covert access. For example a van disguised as an ambulance in order to gain access beyond a secure perimeter to deliver a VBIED.
U
UVIED - Under Vehicle Improvised Explosive Device
Usually intended to target the occupants of the vehicle.
V
VBIED - Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device
An IED transported to the target by a vehicle.
VOIED - Victim Operated Improvised Explosive Device
A device such as a letter bomb which explodes when opened by an intended victim. For example - the series of devices which were posted in the UK in February 2007.