The objective of the Security theme is: to develop the technologies and knowledge for building capabilities needed to ensure the security of citizens from threats such as acts of terrorist acts and (organised) crime, natural disasters and industrial accidents while respecting fundamental human rights including privacy; to ensure optimal and concerted use of available and evolving technologies to the benefit of civil European security; to stimulate the cooperation
of providers and users for civil security solutions; to improve the competitiveness of the European security industry and to deliver mission-oriented results to reduce security gaps.

Following the recommendations of the Commission’s European Security Research AdvisoryBoard (ESRAB), the Security theme addresses four security missions of high political relevance which relate to specific security threats. It contributes to building up the necessary capabilities – ESRAB identified 120 capabilities organised in 11 functional groups - of the persons and organisations responsible for safeguarding security in these mission areas by funding the research that will deliver the required technologies and knowledge to build up these capabilities.
It is clear however, that the use of security related technologies must always be embedded in political action. To support this and also to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the technology related research, three domains of cross-cutting interest are selected as well. The overall structure of the Security Theme, including the seven main mission areas, can besummarised in the following points:
Security Missions:
1. Security of citizens
2. Security of infrastructures and utilities
3. Intelligent surveillance and border security
4. Restoring security and safety in case of crisis
Cross-cutting Missions:
5. Security systems integration, interconnectivity and interoperability
6. Security and society
7. Security Research coordination and structuring